How much TV should a 2 and 4 year old watch a day?

Question

my kids watch 4 hours a day is that to little or to much?

Answer 1

Hi there. My daughter is 2 and watches tv in the morning. I do worry that she watches too much. Usually from 9-12. With gaps in between. She watches Irish Den tots. This includes her favourites, Barney, Bear in Big Blue House, Noddy, Story time and Dance section. There is a tv presenter who every day teaches a number and letter. I find this very educational for my daughter. It helps her to count and she is learning the letters of the alphabet. I find Barney and Bear good also. Bears potty training episode had a big impact on her! In the afternoon tv is off and we have play time, book time and she is involved in Toddler groups. I dont think watching tv like this is harmful for her as she interacts with people also.

Answer 2

I don't think 4 hours is too much as long as they have a balance with what else they do. As long as they also have regular contact with other kids (sunday school, preschool, friends, neighbours, family etc) and other people and as long as they are playing as well (imaginative play) then this is fine. You could start the 4 year old on some reading books, just really basic stuff to prepare him/her for school but other than that let kids be kids. I grew up with hours of telly (like 6-8 a day) and still managed to graduate from University with a good degree and get a good job.

Answer 3

As little as possible and it also depends on what they watch and why they watch it. Is it something they can learn from or just to occupy them? As a mother and a teacher then I can safely say that too many children watch far too much tv. The one pupil who I taught that did not have a tv in the house was the child that had the most amazing imagination I have ever come across.

Answer 4

I say for every hour looking at tv give them 30 minutes of play. Try not to let them watch to much tv. I know that at time tv is the only time that you will get your peace and quite, but play with them. Give the kids a play room. I put a play room in my house nothing but toys and books. My kids be in the play room more then in front the tv. America now is saying that the kids today are to big and they want them to be more active. Some I say lets get active with them, let them make up games and so forth.

Answer 5

I think the experts would tell you that 2-4 hours a day is too much. I think that its ok as long as they are also getting exercise and verbal stimulation from you.
As long as you are also engaging them in other activities then 2 hours of T.V. is not going to hurt them. Make sure that they have time for leaning and for play and are getting the one on one time they need from you .
If these other things are taking place then your ok and so are they.

Answer 6

i am a child care provider and the children i watch don't watch that much tv maybe 2 hours the whole day that they actually sit down to watch but they have a tv that's in their play room that's on the whole day but they just listen to it and i have the tv turned to noggin so it's not bad shows that they are watching

Answer 7

I'd say no more than an hour, in chunks of 20 mins. That's the theory, anyway! Four hours is way too much - take them outside, to the park, to a farm, on their bikes...

Good luck

R (Mother of two)

Answer 8

At that age I think TV should only be used to occupy them when you have important matters to take care of around the house and can't watch them. Its better for them to play and be active learners...something that TV doesn't provide.

Answer 9

Not a whole lot. Probably a half an hour each day. When they are doing well with thier preschool activities, I suggest that you can reward them with an extra half hour of t.v. when they disobey you, take away the t.v. time, so then they get the picture...

Answer 10

NO more than 2 hours a day. Television is for entertainment, not baby sitting.