For how long a day would you let toddler to watch TV ?

Answer 1

While research says that children should not watch any television before the age of two, I would still limit it quite a bit for a toddler - maybe 30 minutes a day (one show). Toddlers need to develop their imaginations, play outside, socialize with other toddlers, and spend family time with everyone. Hope this helps! :o)

Answer 2

I wish that I could say that our girls don't watch TV but the reality of it is that they do. We try and limit it but they still get in their fair share, and they are also really active in sports and other things. My oldest is 6.5 and she watches probably 1.5 hours when she does watch (but it's either a movie, a fun Holiday program or PBS kids) My 3 year old would sit in front of the TV all day if I allowed it, she gets to watch a cartoon in the morning when the oldest is off to school and then she gets to watch some in the evening with her older sister before bed. Our youngest is almost 2 and she isn't that interested in the TV but will sit down and watch Dora or Sesame Street. If she sits, I don't turn it off! It's a good learning experience, especially since she is learning to talk more and she is learning from these shows.

I don't think I would let her watch more than 2 hours (Sesame Street is an hour and on 2x a day) but I doubt that she would even sit that long.

Answer 3

Most toddlers dont actually sit and watch TV. However I think that children can watch tv with no ill effects if: they are watching quality programming, they go off and do other things instead of just watching and lots of other options are offered to them. Let them watch for an hour so you can some work done but after that some real activity for a while so they might watch more later.

Answer 4

We have 2 toddlers (20 mos and 3 yrs). We let them watch about 30-45 mins in the morning about about 30 mins in the evening. However, we try very hard to watch with them or engage them by asking questions abou the show.

I might ask, "why is Barney doing that" or "how many puppies does the girl have"? This way, they see I'm interested and it becomes a learning exercise too.

Answer 5

I cant really say that theres a time limit. Well not for my 3 year old son. I leave the tv on all day for him. He doesnt actually sit there and watch it for long anyways. He gets up and plays, or I take him outside for a bit. Other people might tell you that any tv is bad tv for a toddler. I say thats not true. If it wasnt for Dora or Sesame Street, my son wouldnt have learned how to do and say many things. Hes learned how to count to 6 in spanish and learned his ABC's and how to count to 18 from Sesame Street. My son doesnt go to daycare, so I do what I can with him to teach him new things everyday. So really, it doesnt matter how long your child watches tv. They dont actually sit there for too long of a time anyways.

Answer 6

None! 0 Hours! Now for reality - The appropriate answer, I feel, would be 30 min to an hour. This does not mean that if he watches it for 4 hours one day because things are hectic, etc that he is damaged. I run an in home daycare and I can tell you this: My federal regulations are to not allow the children to watch T.V. for more that 30 min a day and one full length video a week. I'm sure they've done their research before telling hundreds of child minders to follow that standard. However, on the weekends or days I don't have children, my son will watch more TV than that. The important thing is that you teach them there are alternatives to entertainment like going to the Park or a bike ride, if you spend time doing both I don't see a problem popping in a Dora tape while you clean. Best of Luck!

Answer 7

I allowed my daughter to watch tv for about 30 mins - 1 hr until she was about 3. Then I allowed her about 2-5 hours a day, with breaks and naps between the time periods.
Now at 4 she is limited to 4 hours a day. She attends Pre-K where there is no TV, comes home at 3, watches TV from 5- 7, and 8 - 10. Bedtime is 10:30. She sleeps through the night and she gets entertainment ans education when watching TV. I allow her to watch children's programming like cable TV's NOGGIN and Sprout.

Answer 8

My children have the option of watching TV all day long. Though the thing is that they dont. They wil go play with each other for hours on end. When they want a break they will get their cups and watch TV for about 5-10 minutes and then play again. They also have the TV on at night to block out other noises and keeps them entertained if they wake up, until they go back to sleep. I have always slept with my TV on, its comforting.

if your child is an only child I think TV is very much ok for him or her. Would you like to play by yourself all day? i know as parent you play with your child, but do you have the time to do it all day?

Just let your child do what you think is best. You will never get people who agree on a uniform answer. I have never met a child with problems because they watched TV.

Answer 9

I thought I read no more than 2 hours a day for a 3 year old. However, I've recently decided to do what I want since my son is hyper and gets time outs all day, but it usually ends up around 2 hours. If I get him to take a nap he watches less because he's well rested and can play more positively.

Answer 10

I think educational programs on tv are great for children. I have a 27 month old daughter that loves to watch Dora, sesame street and barney. She already knows her ABC's, colors and how to count to ten in english and spanish. I encourage you to let them watch these shows beacuse they are very helpful.