First I just want to say that there are only a couple days left on the recipe contest over at SITS: recipes. If you have not, could you PLEASE go over and vote for me? Pretty, pretty PLEEEEASE! It will be fuuuunnn.
Second, if you want to know. Here is an update on my friend and her baby. She was discharged and could finally go over and see him. He is making positive progress, although it is slow progress but progress none the less. So that is good. Thats all I know about that. You can visit them here.
Now onto the topic on the post, TV.
So I have a confession...I let my kids watch TV. *gasp* The shock, the horror. Well that is not really the confession. I let, Hayden especially, watch hours and hours of TV. I know, *gasp again* terrible.
Ok, he doesn't really sit down and watch TV for hours it is just on and he will watch some but mostly it is just background noise.
Do you think that this is bad? Does TV really rot our kids brains?
I have read a lot of things about how bad TV is, like I am wondering if it is the cause of Hayden's hyper-activeness or inability to sit still. But on the other hand, that could just be because he is a 3 year old BOY!
I am wondering how bad can TV really be? I mean, how bad can the TV be when it has taught Hayden to speak Spanish. He is not fluent, by no means, but he can count in Spanish and say different words thanks to Diego.
How bad, can it be when he learns about words and letters from WordWorld? Since watching this show, he is now for interested in spelling words and continually asks, 'whats this spell, mama?'
We have found a new show that he adores, 'Sid the Science Kid.' This show is a new educational, animated television series promoting exploration, discovery and science readiness among preschoolers. It was made by the The Jim Henson Company
It is a really, really cool show. Hayden loves it. But the best thing about this show is not the educational 'stuff' that he learns (that is just an added bonus) but that fact that for 25 minutes he sits completely still, eyes glued to the TV. I didn't think this was possible. So again, I ask, how can TV be so bad?
I am leaving you with one of my favorite songs from the show. I really recommend you check it out with your kids. It is an awesome show (although I do find the way that they move a little creepy).
Deux par Deux Has The Cutest Kid Clothes
4 days ago
23 comments:
You and Jeff are discriminating when it comes to WHAT Hayden watches. That makes all the difference in the world. I don't see him really pay that much attention to it. As you say, it is often just background noise. He is a happy, healthy, incredibly bright little boy, so how much can you be doing wrong?
I truly think it is fine. Do they still have family interaction? Play with other educational toys? Have opportunities to go outside to play? Those are the requirements that I set for myself re: TV watching. Brainy Baby and Eebee videos have allowed me to keep my little one happy when I take her to work daily. No shame in my game!
I agree that since you choose the programs that are on, it is fine. I look forward to the day that I can have even 10 minutes that my daughter will stay glued to the TV. hehe.
Smart people are leaving some great comments. I for one am a huge TV fan. I do agree one has to discriminate what is watched. My son knows things that we just dont teach him or any 7 yr old should know. His whole life has been this way. We would ask him how he got so smart. He would shrug and say,'shows', meaning he saw it on a tv program. I am glad we have not let him watch adult(meaning prime time) shows with us. Can you imagine what he would pick up watching CSI for example. Anyway, very valid question and I would suggest you only do what YOU feel is best for YOUR child.
Have a great day.
Great comments up top. I am not big on controlling TV to just 1/2 hour this day or that day. We just control what he watches and of course when the weekend comes around as long as he is doing things more than watching then we're ok. He has gotten into playstation with Daddy and we totally moderate that. Often it's 45 min on that or a TV show, he gets to decide but it won't be both on a weeknight. Gotta do what FEELS right for you.
We have not had cable for 6 years and I love it. The kids are bored they read or find a game to play something other than that. We do allow computer time but that is regulated as well. BUT, when they go over to a friends house and the TV is on they are gone. They become faceless zombies and are gone.... Forbiden fruit and they get to partake. So is there a healthy balance? I do not know.
I know my girls have learned a great deal from TV... I remember when Essie went through this phase where she would "map out" how to get to places in our house, thanks to dora. And Gert (again, thank you Dora) when she wants me to come look at something will say "Mommy, come on, vamanos!"
I think as long as they are getting that time outside and doing other stuff, and you're monitoring what they're watching, then it's all good!!
I am a self-described TV junkie! I don't watch any TV during the day, but I have several favorite primetime shows that I watch. And a lot of my faves I would not let my girls watch, but I do not think TV is a "bad thing".
I agree that choosing what your child watches is the best thing to do. Mine have been big fans of Dora, the Backyardigans, Baby Einstein videos (my youngest even still likes to watch the one on world animals, and she's 5!)... one of their current faves is WordWorld, And my 7 yr old never misses an episode of Reading Rainbow.
Now my girls are getting more and more into the "tween" shows... Zoey 101, iCarly, Hannah Montana. And there are a few primetime shows that they like to watch... Dancing With the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, America's Funniest Videos.
As long as my kids still play games, play outside, read a book, etc, I'm not going to limit TV time.
So glad to hear your friend and her baby are doing better... praying that he keeps making progress.
Girlfriend you are like a baby in the lions cage. WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF??? YOu are opening yourself up to so much "OH MY GOD IT IS HORRIBLE FOR YOUR CHILD!!!" followed by a four-step plan on how to grow a sustainable garden and how to convert your vehicle to run only on vegetable oil.
TV is not bad. Just how we use 'em. Same as guns - i know, not the most popular opinion but hey, it's mine all mine. Anyway, I can see the potential of TV being bad. For example, what do you think the target audience is for Hannah Montana? They talk about boyfriends, going out on school nights, wearing makeup and jewelry, etc. Well, the characters are in high school. But the age of girls who watch it? I'm guessing 6-10. Do you want your 6-year-old wearing makeup, going out on school nights, and having a boyfriend? No of course not. But if Hannah Montana does it, she will want to do it. That's what TV does. It's not bad, it's entertaining. But it has the potential to be bad.
So, I'd say, as long as you stick with Noggin, you'll do okay. But even Noggin shows that one Canadian teen show (NOT good for kids) and don't think Disney and Nickelodeon are okay either - only at certain times of the day. And if you leave it on for background noise, he'll no doubt pick up words like stupid, idiot, butt, moron, etc. Are those words you want a 3yo to say? Just giving you the truth here. We have the SAME problem at our house and we don't even have cable or satellite. My kids have PBS or nothing. It is WAY too easy to turn on a show for them, then forget, then before you know it, there is a show all about the Holocaust or gay relationships or killer bees or whatever. Nothing wrong with those topics, but they are not for children.
Whew I hope I didn't scare the bejeezes out of you. So, to sum up: TV is okay. But you have to be careful about what is on.
Oh and that whole business that experts tell you about "Watch with your child. Don't let it be a babysitter." ARe you kidding me on that?
You got my vote.
As for TV ... here's a tip. I try to limit the TV in the same way WE were limited while growing up. Since back in 19-blah-blah, there was no Cartoon Network or Boomarang available we pretty much had Saturday morning and after school. That's it.
So my kids get about an hour during each day the week and Saturday mornings for about 2 hours.
We also use Friday nights for family movie night. One rule: Mom picks the movies. There were WAAAAAAY too many fights when I let them choose.
Oh and we try to keep our actual TV shows (not DVD's) limited to PBS or Boomarang.
"Try" being the operative word ...
I think the key is balance. Just like anything else. On a rainy day, my daughter may watch TV all day an on a sunny day, we may not turn it on at all. I have DirecTV in her room and it is only programed for "kid" networks. That's it. So, it's all in moderation and parental control.
I let my kids watch tv, too. and I don't feel bad about it and I don't try to justify it or apologize for it. Some days it's a lot. Some days it's none.
My kids have been watching tv almost since they day they were born (mostly baby Einstein in those early years.) My brother utterly refuses to let his 2 year old watch any tv. (even though he watches hours a day himself...) And you know what, my neice is MORE hyper-active than my kids who watch tv. She can NOT sit still for ANYTHING! Mine on the other hand can sit still for periods of time and actually pay attention to something. So there!
Ditto to what Nicole just said. I let my kids watch TV also. I think that if I let them watch from the minute they woke up until the minute that they went to bed, that might be bad for them. They need to get up and run around. But I see nothing wrong with TV. As long as they aren't watching programs not meant for kids. Oh, and I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog yesterday. ;)
Without a little bit of TV, I'd never get time to cook a meal, do a load of laundry or go to the bathroom. It's either TV or a live-in nanny.
Hey Jen,
I went and voted for you. But I think that you need to say, in your post, that you have to leave a comment on the post to vote. The comment stays secret. But still, if people just jump to the site and don't read the post, you may not get the vote. Just saying.
And I'm sending you (((WISHES OF LUCK)))!!!
Hi - Been out of blog land lately... just getting caught up here.
I too am A-OK with TV... as long as I always know what they're watching. Surprisingly we have the Disney channel here - so we get a lot of the same cartoons that you'd have in the States. I personally like background noise., so even if they don't necessary sit and watch TV, it helps drown out the annoying battery operated toys they're playing with. :)
You will hear no judgements from me on TV eithr way. I am still having an internal or maybe it's eternal battle on that one. I have never heard of "Sid the Science Kid." We might have to check him out.
Graham is a crack head when it comes to the stupid TV. It's our own fault... he was so physically delayed as an infant and toddler we felt that it would at least be mentally stimulating.. he watched lots of Baby Einstein and Signing Time.. We all learned a lot from Signing Time.
We set limits on the TV now. If he cries, hits, throws things, talks back or POOPS HIS PANTS the TV is off... so yeah... not much TV watching anymore around here.
Dottie couldn't care less about the TV, I'm gonna try to keep it that way....
I'm rooting for you. I really like that they are keeping the votes secret this time around.
I found your blog via SITS. I have twin 3 yr old daughters & my girls love this show & SuperWhy? And I am okay with this (I do not think the rule: Only let your child watch so many hours of tv - doesn't apply to mom of multiples) - they are totally learning because of the shows they watch. Love the shows!
I'm totally looking up that show now.
Everything in moderation, right?
I didn't even read other peeps comments...I'm worried I'll get on my soap box.
All my girls had the tv on most of the time when they were babies/toddlers. I think it kept ME sane, and not so lonely. Now that they are older, we limit it more.
All my girls are in accelerated programs at school. So my answer is...no. I don't think it rots their brain. :)
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