T.V. viewing for under 2?

Question

I have read a lot of things on not allowing children under 2 to watch television. But is it ok if you watch it with them? If it is age appropriate? I mean I'm obviously not letting my son watch bad shows, but his dad likes to let him watch sports with him. I am so confused over this because I don't want my son to have ADD or something when he starts school. I mean we play baby games all day with him, isn't occasional TV alright? By the way he is only 6 months old. He really likes Baby Einstein so I leave it on when he plays, sometimes he watches sometimes not. What does everyone else think about this?

Answer 1

Our son is 1, and initially, we took a very anti-TV stance. We've since lightened that.

Our son has only a passing interest in television. Sometimes he watches it for a while, sometimes it's like it's not even on.

He watches Baby Einstein DVD's, and seems to like those. He also will watch some of the weekly NASCAR races with me, but he won't watch the whole thing, as he loses interest. The noise of the engines, the brightly coloured cars zipping around the screen, and the excited commentary of the announcers are all something he seems to enjoy.

My wife was an Early Childhood Education major in college, and some things we won't allow our son to watch are horror movies, soap operas, news, and reality shows.

Many soap operas, reality shows, and television drama these days are emotionally charged - negative emotions. It's not good to expose the child to that at such an early age. The news also gives off some bad vibes for the child. Even if they're not paying attention, they still pick up the emotion and mood of the television, and they do absorb it.

As with anything, I think moderation is the key. You and your husband seem to be doing a fine job so far.

Answer 2

I think that it is okay to let any child watch television. I have let my daughter watch TV since she was a baby. She would stare at the TV and just loved it. Barney was probably her favorite show. I can say from experience that TV was good for her. She would learn songs and dances that helped develope her memory. She is 5 now and still loves to watch the Disney Channel. I am proud to say that she is one of the smartest kids in her Kindergarten class. At 5 she can read, add, and subtract. TV did not harm her in the least bit. I believe that she benefited from it. We would watch together and sing and dance along with the show. My son is 6 months now, and he loves to watch Little Einsteins. While he can't understand the concept of the show, he will bounce along to the music and my daughter will follow the beats and clap his hands to it. I am definately pro TV. Now, I am not saying that you should stick your child in front of the TV as some sort of babysitter, but I don't see any harm in watching it with them. What you are doing is fine. Enjoy that time you have with him in front of the TV and make it a learning experience. I wish the best for you. Good luck in all you do!

Answer 3

I once suggested the Baby Einstein videos to someone on here and I got my head ripped off for it. People just ASSUME that because you let your child look at tv that you must be a lazy horrible parent. That being said, I believe it is perfectly fine to play appropriate shows or videos for babys and children. I started putting on the Baby Einstein videos for my daughter around 2 months old and she STILL loves looking at them at 3 years old. I don't think you are doing anything wrong at all ! Good luck to your family !

Answer 4

Dr.'s will tell you not to let your children watch t.v. .....well, the reason is that children that are under a certain age (2) are still getting their brains to work properly and things that they see on t.v. could hinder that from happening. Studies have shown that kids that age, when watching t.v., the pictures and things go so fast and switch rapidly, it rewires the brain. No joke.... That is what they say for little children. Their brain is just starting to wire itself correctly and if you are letting them watch normal t.v....it could be bad... Now, as for baby einstein....I let my child watch that all the time. It doesn't switch constantly and the screen is pretty much stable for several seconds at a time...Those videos are supposed to enhance their thinking and cognitive skills along with the music...... The baby einstein video ended up being my sons fav and now my little girl...well, she is a girl and they aren't as easily pacified....LOL...God Bless! BTW.....try bilingual baby.....that is what I am getting for our children....it teaches other languages and is great....also try the sign language tapes....the kids on there are named leah and i can't remember the little boy's name but they teach your child to sign and that is great because they can't really talk until they get alot older adn then they will know some sign language and who knows....maybe they will love it

Answer 5

I am a father of a 14 month old baby girl. I have always believed that shows that change from one subject to another causes ADD. I let my daughter watch a lot of sing-a-longs. She loves them more than any cartoon. I think it is important for kids to watch TV that they will get involved in. You don't want them just starring at the screen. I think Dora the Explorer is good also(but a little strange). Anything that makes the kids get involved is beneficial to them.

Answer 6

I let my kids watch TV. Most of the time they don't even pay attention to it. I don't see any harm in letting kids watch age appropriate shows. I love the Baby Einstein series as well.

Answer 7

My almost 12 y/o was an Elmo addict from the time she could focus on the TV and she is in the honor roll and very bright and well behaved.

I think you have to do what feels right for you and your family. If your son watches football on Sunday with dad, don't stress over it, go take a bubblebath and enjoy the you time. That is their daddy and son time and the worst that can happen is you have two men fighting over who has the better team when he gets older.

Answer 8

My daughter is 7 months old and my husband constantly lets her watch TV-- so I kind of gave up on the no TV thing.

I still plan to greatly restrict in when she's actually old enough to understand what is going on though.

I don't think it's bad or really causes ADD or anything, I'd just rather have my daughter play outside/imaginative play with toys than watch TV alld ay.

Answer 9

My Mum, is a great believer in banning children form watching telly.
My argument to her is that children now days are exposed to so much more technology nowdays then ever before that it is hard to avoid it. I allowed both my children to watch telly, my boy and girl both loved bear in the big blue house and little Einsteins. I thought they were both good programs.
Kids today are lot more intelligent to, i think this is because years ago, mums were told just to cover up baby in a blanket and get on with your housework!! We are now encouraged to play, and talk to our children.
It's OK to let your baby watch a bit of telly, it's difference to them playing with a toy that makes noises and has flashy lights! That's all the children are interested in anyway.

Pass the remote!

Answer 10

You can let him watch a bit of television but for instance dont take the stroller and park it in front of the TV and leave him there so that you can do something else. I actually knew people that did this since he was born and today they can't handle him

You have to balance it out.