I have a 2 year old daughter who LOVES to watch tv. She especially likes "Little Einstein", "Kipper", and "Dora". I know that letting your toddlers watch tv is not a good thing, but how much is too much. My husband works really long hours and there are times when I will put on a 25min show so I can get some stuff done around the house (cooking, laundry, etc) since she is a very clingy child and will otherwise not let me do much. I will usually give her puzzles or crayons while shes watching the show and try to get as much done while I can. I do this about 2-3 times a day. Is this too much tv for her? She is very smart for her age, she is very verbal, loves books, puzzles, drawing, etc.
2007-05-26 16:39:58 · 9 answers · asked by Ruth G 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
The answer depends on who you ask...
If you ask the "experts" they all say that television is horrible for babies/toddlers and that no child under 3 should watch television.
Um.. Yea. And then the Real World comes along and you have to make adjustments...
As you can see from the answers you've gotten so far, we pretty much ALL do it at one time or another. I have found that usually the only parents that can honestly say their children don't watch television are the ones that... don't own a television. Which is not very common in this day and age! For myself, I feel the most important thing is moderation. My 3.5 year old has been watching television for a long time now... But I don't let her sit in front of it all day. I make sure she is involved in other activities and that we "give the tv a rest" for most of the day (that is how I tell her that it's time to turn the tv off).
Even my 9 month old son has watched a couple of the videos "designed" for infants. But again, if you ask the "experts"... those videos aren't any better for our children than watching The Simpsons... So...
I guess the real question might be.... WHO are the "experts"... Them... Or us?! :)
Best of luck in finding a good balance!!!
Oh, I wanted to add also... We can't be "perfect parents" no matter how hard we try... So we've got to choose our battles throughout parenting... I was going to say that I have decided to focus more of my time and energy on NUTRITION with my children rather than making sure they never watch television. So... I'm making certain they don't eat while watching television and that they are eating healthy foods, making "every bite count". To me, nutrition is a little more important than the television issue so I focus my energy there... Good luck with your decision!
2007-05-26 19:44:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been having the same concerns lately. So what I have desided to do is in the morning (when I am not fully functional) he watches his LIttle Einsteins, Mickey Mouse, and Handy Many. Then in the afternoon he watches a movie of his choice but in Spanish or Korean - my husband speaks both and we are trying to teach our son - he is 22months. We reinforce the language with books. But while the TV is on, he also has toys that he is playing with. The way I have judged it is how he acts if I turn the TV off while he is watching one of his shows. He gets upset for a moment and then goes back to playing. If he were to throw a fit and get mad and just be horrible then TV has gone to far. Or if all he did was sit and stare and not do anything else. I try to stick with educational TV - I want him to be entertained, but learning at the same time. And yes you need time too - sometimes their naps are never long enough. Watching TV with your child is also good because then you interact with them and the TV together and "learn together" and you can talk about things on the TV together - wheither they are talking or not - you still explain things to them. The rest of the day I still have the TV on - I can't stand the quiet (my husband is in the military and is gone a very large portion of the day) but it is on the history channel or TLC - my son doesn't sit and watch those shows, but still something with catch his eye and he will stop playing for a moment and look at what ever it was that caught his eye. If your daughter keeps developing the way she has been she will be fine.
2007-05-26 17:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course...that's why they have all those great, educational and fun shows! My 2 yr. old son adores Teletubbies, Barney and Elmo's World. He sits near the TV and interacts with the program or dances when theres music. Being an only child, it's the next best thing to a playmate for now. Plus, like other moms have said, it's really the only time I get to safely go about my work, knowing where he's at and what he's doing. They won't sit still long anyways, so you don't have to really worry about them watching too much at this age.
2007-05-26 18:23:26 · answer #3 · answered by south_lido 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many fine programs for toddlers and preschoolers on the TV now. It sounds like you are doing a great job monitoring what she watches and giving her age appropriate activities to do- don't overthink it. She'll be fine. My 3 daughters, who are now 33, 31 &28- watched A LOT of TV back in the 70's and 80's when the programming wasn't nearly as educational. Two of them tested in the top 5% of the country during high school. They are all productive, wonderful members of society now. TV is NOT the enemy as long as you pair it with plenty of communication, activities, family outings, meals together, etc. Good Luck!
2007-05-26 17:49:12 · answer #4 · answered by nanny411 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No that is perfectly fine 2-3 times a day with just lil 25-30min shows like the little Einsteins which are very educational, my daughter learned so much from that show. yeah it is perfectly fine as long as she is not just sitting through 2-3 of them in a row for like more than 2 hours and such, but yeah a few a day just so you can get stuff done is okay, also try the backyardiagns on Nick jr. they are cute too and have really cute songs. but lil einstines are my fav just because they introduce kids to diffrent surroundings and things that they normaly wouldnt see in reall life like france and art and music
2007-05-26 19:33:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how I would have made it without these shows. It's also a time for parents to get some "me" time. They make these shows especially for children. Some for toddlers and some for school aged kids. I/we love the Wiggles, Jojo's Circus, Little Einstein etc (anything on the Disney channel). I don't think it can do harm to a child as long as it's not excessive.
2007-05-26 17:57:42 · answer #6 · answered by Keetta 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To each their own is my opinon on the matter.
My kids get about the same exposure to tv- we especially use Kids or PBS Sprout on demand. (Cable ON-DEMAND shows available at the push of a button) I recently noticed my 3 year old now is picking up on some spanish thanks to Dora. She told my husband the other day that firetrucks are Rojo which means red. We were pleasantly surprised.
If you are monitoring what your little one is watching, then I say there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Of course there is always someone out there crying fowl over TV watching but thats the great thing about YOU being the parent of YOUR OWN kids.
Again, to each their own :-)
2007-05-26 16:53:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a two year old and he is allowed one hour in the morning and one at night. I do cleaning or my job (I work from home) during that time. I figure as long as he is getting more mommy time than TV time it is okay. He knows that is he whines for TV it won't happen and he is only allowed to watch shows I put on for him.
2007-05-26 18:01:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are careful and don't let the TV babysit.
Sounds like you need playdates and sitter trading. She needs some playmates.
2007-05-26 17:07:35 · answer #9 · answered by Patsy A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋