How much tv should we let our baby watch per day?

Question

She loves Sesame Street and It's A Big Big World. That's an hour and a half total. What's best for a ten month old?

Answer 1

Ive read that you shouldnt let them watch TV until they are 2 years old. I dont know how one would do that. In the summer time my son who is 20 months old now watches about 4 hours a day. That is morning mid afternoon and night. I dont think it really matters as long as the shows are appropriate for there age. My son gets all the exercise myself and he needs haha. Peace out.................

Answer 2

I am a kindergarten teacher and I truly believe that a little TV, not a lot, is good for toddlers. Be sure it something like Sesame Street, Baby Songs or Baby Einstein and let her watch for a half an hour at a time. She needs to develop her ability to sit still and focus on something/someone for that amount of time. After that, of course, it is very important that she be actively playing. Don't keep her indoors; let her experience the outside world. In another couple of months, when she is walking she should have the opportunity to walk a block or so outside on a sidewalk or in the park too. And soon, she will need to play and interact with other children. But TV is not bad, in fact it is good in small doses a couple times a day.

Answer 3

Personally, I'd say none. Television isn't nicknamed "boob tube" for nothing. Kids and adults alike tend to turn into zombies when it's turned on. Children under age two really don't have a need to watch television. They can be entertained and taught in other ways such as interaction with mom and dad or another caregiver. I've seen some parents (my mom was known for doing this in our family and I've done it, but only when I was moving) use it as a babysitter when they're trying to do other things. After age two, I don't see a problem with a couple of hours per day of educational television provided you're watching it with her. Do keep in mind though that just because it's on PBS, TLC, Discovery, Animal Planet, History Channel, etc does *not* mean it's good for kids to watch.

Now as far as the experts, the American Academy of Pediatrics, are concerned no television is okay for children under age two. After that, I *think* they recommend no more than an hour a day until school age.

As far as my own kids go...my eleven year old would watch it nonstop if I let her. I only allow her about four hours per day, broken up throughout the day. My two year old gets *maybe* an hour of television, which I sit down and watch with her and ask questions about what's going on. She likes Teletubbies and Jack's Big Music Show the most.

Answer 4

I see no problem with the hour and a half....TV isn't terrible, but it's noy all good either. When I was a kid I liked Sesame Street, and Mr. Rodgers a lot, and sometimes I liked the cooking shows my parents watched....it didnt really start swatching a lot of TV until I was a little older (9 or so), even then it was mostly at night after I had been outside all day playing.

You need to find a balance that is right for your daughter. Every kid is different. Sesame Street helped me learn to read (as well as my parents) and to tie my shoes. Mr. Rodgers taught me compassion for others. There is a lot of be taken from these kids shows and as long as that what you stick with these I don't see a problem.

Besides...parents cant entertain their kids every second of every day...and maybe if they were trying to teach their child something without avail, a children's show will teach them a different way and they'll get it. It's a great teaching tool if you watch the right shows.

Answer 5

Interestingly enough, everyone tries to do the educational TV thing thinking it is better. Everything in moderation. My kids loved PBS programming for the most part but HATED Einstein videos. University of Washington did a study on the Einstein videos and said that it was "too quick" for infants to really learn from (not saying they didn't enjoy it) Things like the Einstein videos and Sesame Street really only EDUCATE after about 2 years of age.

By the way, my 3 year old watches about 1- 1 1/2 hours per day and he is well-balanced and VERY smart. He isn't a lump on the couch. He also doesn't watch it that whole time either, he is usually playing around with other things.

Answer 6

The board of pediatrics recommends NO TV for kids under 2. However, my daughter now 18 months has watched baby einstien videos since she was 4 months old. She's not over active or showing signs of ADHD, like some people say will happen. I think an hour & half is okay, but wouldn't let her watch more b/c it just increases in time. Then you'll have a toddler watching 5 hours a day. Mulitply what she is watching by 7 days a week, then decide.

Answer 7

Are you kidding me? Why is Jenn getting so many thumbs down for her reply? Geesh - weren't any of you 70s or 80s kids who grew up on an entire morning and afternoon of PBS programs like Electric Company, Sesame Street, 3-2-1 Contact and Reading Rainbow? I was, and turned out fine. I learned a lot from those shows.

Children's programming is even more educational now - to the point where at least three hours of educational and/or informative programming is now mandated for every channel by the FCC (which is why you see that E/I decal at the corner of your TV screen).

Give the moms on here a break - some of the replies have been really sensible. What works for some may not work for others; I just don't understand all the trigger fingers who are slamming those who really don't deserve it.

Answer 8

One of the doctors I work for would have a stroke if he heard this question. He doesn't believe that children should watch any TV - EVER. Personally, I don't agree with him, but I do think 90 minutes of TV every day is a bit much for an infant, especially in one stretch. (i.e. if the shows run back to back.) If you can break up the 90 minutes into two or three 30 minutes it would be better, IMO. But, you're not letting her watch things that aren't intellectually stimulating to her - I can still sing some of the learning songs from Sesame - more than 30 years later! So, at least she's getting something more than entertained.

Answer 9

There are like 50 answers on here so mine probably doesn't mean much..but..
I personally don't have children..but my Mom babysat for 12 years..after a while of staying at our house during the day, almost all the parents would comment on how much their child or children had learned since they started staying at our house..
The reason?
Blue's Clues, Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House..and other educational kids' shows..
Not that Mom would let the TV do her job, but if you're sitting right there with her and making a big deal out of colors and shapes, it's great for her little mind! And I'm almost positive these shows have more fun ways of teaching kids than most parents do..
And I also have to agree with something someone else said..
The kids that weren't allowed to watch much TV at home were completely glued to it the whole time they could be, the kids that got to watch when they wanted to at home watched a little while of it and then wanted to play with the other kids more..
Anyways, I don't think it's as bad as some of these people are acting like it is..
Good luck with your little girl! :)

Answer 10

An hour and a half is fine. When I was a toddler I got somewhere around 10 a day. I wouldn't recommend you let your kid get that much though. I didn't exactly have the most attentive parents, so the television was more like a baby sitter than anything else. But, if I were you, I'd definitely limit my kids' tv watching to just what she has right now, just to be on the safe side.

Answer 11

n the Big Blue House..and other educational kids' shows..
Not that Mom would let the TV do her job, but if you're sitting right there with her and making a big deal out of colors and shapes, it's great for her little mind! And I'm almost positive these shows have more fun ways of teaching kids than most parents do..
And I also have to agree with something someone else said..
The kids that weren't allowed to watch much TV at home were completely glued to it the whole time they could be, the kids that got to watch when they wanted to at home watched a little while of it and then wanted to play with the other kids more..
Anyways, I don't think it's as bad as some of these people are acting lik