The American Pediatric Association recommends that children 2 years and under watch no TV at all. This means no Baby Einstein, PBS or anything else.
The average 1 year old watches 6 hours of television per week.
How do you feel about allowing your baby to watch TV? I see a lot of questions of people allowing their babies as young as 4 months old to watch TV.
What are you feelings about this?
Sources:
http://www.focusonyourchild.com/entertain/art1/A0000238.html
http://www.family4life.com/family_business/responsibility_tv.htm
http://www.clubmom.com/display/253413?fromModule=related_links&fromPage=162048
2006-10-20 10:16:02 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I dont think it is acceptable or unacceptable for a child under 2 to watch TV, its up to their parent and their schedule. I think and use TV as a distraction, when I'm not able to show attention to my child, i allow her to watch the telly. Obviously she jumps at the chance and i don't feel bad about being busy and she doesn;t feel upset for not having that time with me. Although when she was a baby i never did let her notice the TV and did not watch it until she was at least 5, and that was restricted. I think babies under 2 don't need TV for a distraction as they are so fascinated with anything that has colour or sound. There are so many educational toys out there and so many ways of learning through play which don't send out subliminal messages!!!! And children love playing so i don't feel the need to plonk them in front of a TV and become hooked when at that age you can give them a couple of pots and a wooden spoon and they have hours of fun
2006-10-20 10:35:01 · answer #1 · answered by lucy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If we are watching a TV program my son is mostly playing with his own toys--he's four months away from being one. I don't encourage him to watch TV. My five year old NEVER has liked watching TV and we keep him occupied ourselves. Yes, I'm a stay at home mom--he's in pre-K but every minute he is home it seems we are always doing something--activity books, playing catch, running errands, and just busying around. I don't feel it's important for children to watch TV and I'm almost positive people will say well if it's "educational"--then it's okay. I'm sorry I would much rather my kids playing or coloring in the kitchen listening to Mozart with me while I cook dinner then in the living room on their butts watching some Baby Einstein show. Sure it stimulates them but isn't a book just as stimulating or a color show on the wall. How about stained glass. Babies can stare at anything interesting--a light, a candle, a stained glass window and be "stimulated" and interested in it--just as much if not more then a television set. I think it's another connivance people can use as an excuse for "good" parenting. What ever happened to reading books? Whatever happened to singing the ABCs or making Indian coats out of paper bags? I think that occupied kids far better then watching some lame "educational" TV show. I am a stay-at-home-mom and what gets me is when other SAHM put their kid in front of the TV as an excuse to clean---while cleaning is important too--isn't there something better for kids to be doing? And we wonder why half the country is obese...
Sorry I didn't mean to rant it's just something that gets on my last nerve.
I just finished my answer and went back and read through the answers. For those mother’s who let their kids watch TV--why does it HAVE to be TV. Why can’t it be something else? Is it just because TV is “easier?” I’m sorry but I never knew parenting was supposed to be made “easy.”
2006-10-20 12:09:25 · answer #2 · answered by .vato. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no problem letting a child watch TV. As long as the child isn't sitting there like a zombie watching TV. A child should never be stationary for more than 30 min. (unless asleep). When my kids watch TV they are usually jumping around and dancing. God, who knew Elmosize was such a bad thing. This video (for all of you anti-TV people) teaches good eating habits as well as the importance of exercise. Baby Einstein is a wonderful series. I guess my "dumb" children walking around using sign language is a bad thing. Give me a break
To answer your question, in moderation and monitored.
2006-10-20 13:47:03 · answer #3 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter started watching Baby Einstein at a couple months & gradually moved to Sesame Street, Pooh, Dora, Diego, Finding Nemo. She is now 2 and loves to watch her shows & movies. I will also say that she is very smart and has learned a great deal of things from them as well. She sings alongs, counts, learns new words, animals, & colors, etc.
It is no different than a teenager talking on the phone, playing video games, or sitting in front of the computer for hours on end every day.
2006-10-20 10:46:16 · answer #4 · answered by catwoman 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An occassional baby einstein show is fine. But, chance are the baby will watch more tv than that just because there are other people living in the house. Be reasonable about what shows you or other family members watch while the baby is around and about how often the tv is on. You don't want to start the baby's life by getting him/her hooked of the tv.
2006-10-20 10:21:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't have anything against letting my kids watch TV, but I do think it should be limited and supervised. Don't just turn it on and walk off and expect the TV to do the babysitting for you. From my experience, my kids will only watch a few minutes of any show anyway.....they are very active and don't stay still long enough. There are very good educational TV shows out there for kids. I agree with the other person who posted not to let your kids watch the Teletubbies.......I think they rot the brain.
2006-10-20 12:01:06 · answer #6 · answered by Crystal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not use your television as a baby sitter. Babies under the age of 24 months need lots and lots of stimulation. On occasion, if the TV is on, don't guilt trip about it. All things in moderation. Remember a young mind is developing. The best stimulation will come from interaction with you, not technology.
2006-10-20 10:21:43 · answer #7 · answered by darlene w 1 · 5⤊ 0⤋
My sisters and I let our children watch tv. We have bought dvd's of baby einstein, sesame street, dora, blues clues, and others like them. They actually prefer not to watch tv and play with eachother but they have learned from the shows. We interact with them and get them to dance and learn the things they are teaching. There is nothing wrong with a little tv as long as its age appropriate.
2006-10-20 10:53:14 · answer #8 · answered by Chelle's Belle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son is 21 months and he watches around half an hour in the morning when the tweenies and balamory is on, then he watches what i watch for half an hour before bed!
i got told off my doctor that if a child watches too much tv it takes away their creativity, like a child wont know how to amuse them selves or interact properly with people.
i wouldnt recomend that your child spends anymore than 1 hour per day watching tv as long as its split up, and he/she has lots of interaction with other kids (play group)!
2006-10-20 10:31:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my boys 2 and 4 have the tv on all day, they dont watch it all the time though, the childrens channels are very educational, they are not overweight we take them out to country parks, they leave the tv and go in the garden when they want, play toys and we do activities such as colouring etc. they eat dinner at the table with the rest of the family no tv. i only see harm in tv if you are not offering any other tasks/activities to do or your leting them eat infront of the tv with no excersise or even letting them watch things that are violent/not for their age etc. my boys love some of the programmes they sing to the songs, and learn to count etc, while you do the housework theyre being taught something. you do what you feel is right instead of listening to such assosiations.
2006-10-20 10:23:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋