View Full Version : Does your little ones watch TV?
neostudded
31-05-2008, 02:08
Hey hubbers :wave:
I was wondering, does your little one watch Television?
I am going to put up a poll.:)
My son does not, today I was told I am an extremist, I wouldnt consider it exteme.
my DS watches TV:yes:, he'll be 4 next mth, he normally watches a few cartoons/kids programs that are on the ABC channel in the morning, and every now and then he'll watch movies eg nemo, but even when the tv is on with kids programs he doesn't watch them half the time, he's usually busy playing with toys
DD on the other had doesn't watch anything,
Skittles
31-05-2008, 06:41
Ds is a bit young for tv. He likes the music at times a bops along but other than that...not interested. DD loves tv. She will watch the kids show on at 330 when we are home. And somedays (usually raining days) i let her watch a movie. But half the time she only watches a bit then gets bored.
mum of 2
31-05-2008, 07:13
My daughter who is 3 only started watching TV & movies when she was 2, by her own choice as she wouldnt sit still and watch them, she was more interested in playing with dolls or seeing what i was doing.
My son who is now 6 started watching TV & movies when he was 1...Now he is into Cartoons, Simpsons etc...but he doesnt watch it all the time.
~mia&ryan~
31-05-2008, 07:13
Yes she does, in moderation. She loves Dora and Me, Eloise at the moment. But she still much prefers to play.:)
~Temet Nosce~
31-05-2008, 07:40
Yes, in moderation, and only kid shows and I monitor what shes watching. She will never watch anything like the news etc. if there is no kid shows on (except for things like home and away lol) and she is still up, the tv doesnt go on until she is in bed.
A Party of Five
31-05-2008, 07:43
Yes but always with supervision and moderation :hugs:
Lastcenturymum
31-05-2008, 07:47
I've never believed in using TV as a babysitter. :no: When our kids were old enough to watch and understand they were allowed one show morning and one arvo (usually playschool) Maybe a bit more if sick. And never before school. I never had the TV during the day anyway so it wasn't an issue really. There is so much more you can do with them - music is great to listen to, sing with them, at them! TV doesn't encourage social interaction at a young age
Samaras Mummy
31-05-2008, 07:53
samara watches playschool....and sometimes a dvd ( wiggles, dora etc)
tyler's mum
31-05-2008, 08:00
Yes all the time has done since a baby:yes:
SorenLorensen
31-05-2008, 08:13
ABC2 is on right now...
we are flipping between ABC2 and playhouse waiting for harry and his bucket full of dinosaurs to start:D
ABC or ABC2 are pretty much on all day here. He doesn't sit in front of it like a mute all day, but he does watch a fair bit. It is not a babysitter, and it is for the most part quite educational. The leaps and bounds with his language, and ability to use his imagination and create his own games, and expand upon ideas, and emulate characters...I am astounded sometimes.
I don't believe that TV is evil...its a part of the world, and with so many programs aimed at the littlies...it can be a useful tool.
My brothers and I grew up in a similar way, and we are all functioning, well educated and social beings.
Like everything in our parenting, it is something that we will constantly assess as he grows.
MellyMumma
31-05-2008, 08:40
My kids love tv, dvds etc!!! I have no problem with them watching it. They have great imaginations and play more than they watch tv but I find some of their play stems from watching tv etc. I quite often hear them playing 'shrek'. They dress up and 1 will be shrek and the other will princess fiona and the other will be either cat or donkey depending on her mood. They dance around the house like a prince and princess. They also have a lot of dora adventures. They can count in spanish like they do on dora. Not all tv is bad.
If your son is only 10 months old chances are he's not going to be interested in tv yet. Mine weren't that interested until they were about 2yrs and even then it was only for a couple of minutes.
:thumbsup:
BreakfastatTiffanys
31-05-2008, 08:55
Dd2 watches it with the older ones, but honestly she doesnt take much notice of it. Unless it is an ad with music, then she may have a little dance and after the ad she goes back to playing.
mum_I'm_hungry
31-05-2008, 09:06
Well, what do you mean by 'little one'? I don't think you're doing anything very difficult or extreme, as your son is very small. My daughter didn't watch tv till age three, but my son has started earlier because there is an older child in the house.
Ange&Seth
31-05-2008, 09:10
I don't think you're doing anything very difficult or extreme, as your son is very small.
:iagree:
westerner
31-05-2008, 09:14
ABC or ABC2 are pretty much on all day here. He doesn't sit in front of it like a mute all day, but he does watch a fair bit. It is not a babysitter, and it is for the most part quite educational. The leaps and bounds with his language, and ability to use his imagination and create his own games, and expand upon ideas, and emulate characters...I am astounded sometimes.
I don't believe that TV is evil...its a part of the world, and with so many programs aimed at the littlies...it can be a useful tool.
My brothers and I grew up in a similar way, and we are all functioning, well educated and social beings.
Like everything in our parenting, it is something that we will constantly assess as he grows.
:iagree:
:) Yes he does.
He watches Sesame Street in between playing, he wouldn't sit still for long enough to watch much :laughing:
After lunch we watch an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine, I think they only go for about 5 mins.
I love winding down and relaxing with a bit of TV, I figure I really don't mind if he does the same thing.
I definitely don't think you are being an extremist! You are his mum and you have the right to parent him how you feel is right - it would be nice if that was without criticism :rolleyes:
sockstealingpoltergeist
31-05-2008, 09:26
Yes he loves it, he doesn't watch it all day we do plenty of different things. He watches more if it's raining and it helps with his imagination, just as reading does and we do plenty of that as well. I think in a balanced environment it is fine!
tyler's mum
31-05-2008, 09:31
The tv is alway on nick jr even while tyler is playing. She could be playing and just start singing whatever is on without watching it. I dont let her watch grown up shows just kids shows
Mamalicious
31-05-2008, 09:48
He does with his Baba, they get up in the mornings together and watch "Bobby the Bus" and DH sings the theme song to him and DS dances. :laughing::valentine:
He doesn't with me, only because I prefer to watch TV when I know theres something on that I want to watch, DH likes it for the background noise.
Doesn't worry me. :sunshine:
ABC or ABC2 are pretty much on all day here. He doesn't sit in front of it like a mute all day, but he does watch a fair bit. It is not a babysitter, and it is for the most part quite educational. The leaps and bounds with his language, and ability to use his imagination and create his own games, and expand upon ideas, and emulate characters...I am astounded sometimes.
I don't believe that TV is evil...its a part of the world, and with so many programs aimed at the littlies...it can be a useful tool.
My brothers and I grew up in a similar way, and we are all functioning, well educated and social beings.
Like everything in our parenting, it is something that we will constantly assess as he grows.
Yep !! I'm with Noo !!
Some days especially when I am not well TV is my best friend :thumbsup: :p
squiglet
31-05-2008, 11:18
I checked other.
I put on playschool or the wiggles sometimes but the only time she will show an interest in the tv is if a song, such as a favouit song we sing together, comes on.
That's it, she would much rather play with something else.
Yes he does. DS is 3.5 yrs and he watches some ABC Kids in the morning, then we have a break and go outside and play or we play with his toys or do some baking. Then after lunch (around 1130) we both curl up on th lounge and watch ABC2 for about an hour and a half, being 35 weeks pregnant, I really need the wind down and rest time as Im exhausted. He watches it while I snooze next to him.
Then we do some housework together and play some more toys etc, then from about 4pm onwards he watches ABC Kids again while I get tea ready and TV is off from 5pm.
Even when the TV is on, he does't sit there the whole time and watch it, he flits in an out of the room doing other stuff as well.
Our TV is always on as background noise, but we play DVDs, never watch free to air and not interested in pay tv. TV shows we like we get on DVD to watch when we like.
Tom does ask for a certain thing to be put on occasionally (usually NCIS or stargate :rolleyes: sometimes a pixar/disney/dreamworks kids movie), he might watch for up to 20min then finds something else to do. :laughing: I prefer it that way.
My parents limited our TV viewing (what, when, and for max 30min a day) so as kids when we visited people who had their TV on we couldn't tear ourselves away, and once we hit out teens TV because our life while our mates who could watch it whenever they wanted as kids had it out of their system and weren't interested. :no:
Prefer Tommy to know it's there if he wants to watch something but just because it's on doesn't mean he has to be watching, there's heaps of other stuff to do! Seems to have worked, he watches it very little. :thumbsup:
Shanaynay
31-05-2008, 11:50
No, my kids do not watch TV at all. They are 4 and 2.
We actually don't have one.
Not long ago, my MIL said to me about 4 year old DD "But how will she learn everything that Playschool teaches her?" Ummmm, wtf? :confused: By talking with me and doing things!
I don't believe that small amount of TV will neccessarily harm a child, but I see absolutely no benefit for the child.
I do sometimes play DVD's on the laptop for them, usually when some quiet or rest time is needed and they won't sleep. (They aren't totally deprived ;))
ETA: I am not aiming this at anyone in particular. But many people say things along the lines of "oh it's always on, but they only watch it sometimes, the rest of the time they are playing". Having television noise in the background constantly can be very detrimental to speech and language development.
My kids get up to half an hour of TV a day. It's usually Play School or an episode of Dora. They're 4, 3 and 20 months. We can easily go a day without turning the TV on, but the kids don't seem bothered by it. Occasionally they ask for it, and I'll turn it on for them to watch one show, but usually they're bugging me to put some music on and dance and sing with them.
I don't leave TV on for background noise, simply because we don't need any more noise in the house. I find when the TV is on but the kids aren't watching it, then they get louder and rowdier and fight and yell more.
I grew up with being able to watch TV whenever I wanted, and I find it's been a hard habit to kick. I don't want my kids to grow up like that.
neostudded
31-05-2008, 12:01
mum_I'm_hungry
By little one I mean you children, toddlers, babies.:o
No - Only because I don't like the way he behaves when it's on - he stands and stares at it transfixed. I can't get his attention away from it and he doesn't talk to me and he doesn't play. I suspect this is because he is too little for tv yet.
I have also read that if you have constant background noise on (be it tv or radio) it can be hard for babies to hear you around that noise and can be detrimental to language development. I don't know if this is true or not, but figure he has his whole life to watch tv so we have spent the first year with the tv off.
When the new baby arrives there will no doubt be many times he will have to watch tv so I can feed. I have bought a few educational dvds, some hi-5 and wiggles, and I don't mind anything on ABC Kids for those times.
LivinOnAPrayer
31-05-2008, 12:29
Sure! Alex LOVES hi-5 (even though she has a shelf full of wiggles dvd's :rolleyes:) and watches some music based kids shows. She not really up to the age of actually 'getting' what the shows about, just likes the music ect i think. She dances, throws her arms from side to side like a crazy kid lol. i wont take that off her!!
And sometimes i do like putting dvd's on for a break. :thumbsup: I guess alex would watch about 1/2 and hr a day?? In little bits at a time, as she doesnt usually sit still!! lol
*babygirl*
31-05-2008, 12:35
lilly watched finding nemo with me in bed yesterday and i'd say that is the first thing she has actually sat and watched... but she WAS falling asleep drinking her bottle so i think she watched more out of being tired than interested IYKWIM:)
No - Only because I don't like the way he behaves when it's on - he stands and stares at it transfixed. I can't get his attention away from it and he doesn't talk to me and he doesn't play. I suspect this is because he is too little for tv yet.
I have also read that if you have constant background noise on (be it tv or radio) it can be hard for babies to hear you around that noise and can be detrimental to language development. I don't know if this is true or not, but figure he has his whole life to watch tv so we have spent the first year with the tv off.
When the new baby arrives there will no doubt be many times he will have to watch tv so I can feed. I have bought a few educational dvds, some hi-5 and wiggles, and I don't mind anything on ABC Kids for those times.
Oh... I always have music on.:(
He doesn't actually watch the TV no... Well maybe for like 2 seconds then he is distracted by something else...
DD2 who is nearly 8mths doesn't watch any tv but DD1 who is nearly 3 does. She is restricted to 1hr tv/day during the weekdays and its usually playschool plus some other ABC kids program or dvd like Maisy, Charlie and Lola, Miffy, Peppa Pig or Hi5, Wiggles or Dora. On weekends she doesn't watch any tv unless its rainy all weekend and we've exhausted all other play and need a rest.
At other times we have music on, but we never have any constant tv or music on, as it would do my head in, nevermind about the kids development!!
Oh... I always have music on.:(
He doesn't actually watch the TV no... Well maybe for like 2 seconds then he is distracted by something else...
I think it must depend on the child and how the tv/music is used. i.e. I do know MANY people who use it to keep the kids busy for extended periods, thus the kids get no interaction) TV is always on here and Tom's quite advanced for his age as far as language/speech development. ;)
declansmum
31-05-2008, 13:00
Yep!!! DS watches TV...I pretty much have the TV on all day on ABC, ABC2, or a dvd. Doesn't mean we watch Tv all day. DS plays alot with his toy's and goes out the back to play in his cubby house.
Hokey Pokey
31-05-2008, 13:15
The older 2 do. My 13 month old will see the tv and is more interested in dancing when the music comes on, she doesn't really have the concentration to sit and watch a whole show..
Chunkydunks
31-05-2008, 14:14
the tv is on most of the time here.
OneNowOneLater
31-05-2008, 18:37
DD watches tv. Unfortunately my TV doesnt pick up abc at all. So she misses out on things like Play School, Sesame Street etc.
The only thing she does watch on tv, is her Barbie DVD's. Nothing else.... I've tried introducing other things, like the Wiggles, but she has no interest....
Hey hubbers :wave:
I was wondering, does your little one watch Television?
I am going to put up a poll.:)
My son does not, today I was told I am an extremist, I wouldnt consider it exteme.
for him not to watch TV at all do you mean like he does not watch it spacificly like a childrens show etc, OR you mean he watches NO tv at all like the TV never on when he is in the room
I think it depends on how old they are.
The kids probably watch ABC kids for 30 mins in the morning.
Sheer Bliss
31-05-2008, 18:54
3yo DD does, and if 1yo DS happens to see something that catches his eye while she is wathing he will stare transfixed for 30seconds or so, then keep doing what he is doing. That darn domino's add with the dancing chicken has the both transfixed!! :laughing:
DD started watching hi-5 at 9months as she had a broken leg, was in a hip spica cast and wasn't allowed to attempt to crawl or walk, so it was a last resort to keep her happy some days! She also watched a disgusting amount of TV when my hyperemisis with DS was at it's worst - i couldn't function as a human being, let alone a parent, so the TV helped out. Anyone who want's to bag me out for causing her damage in those situations, let's just step outside and discuss it shall we ;) :p. lol.
I prefer not to have the tv on all the time, but I don't think it is the big enemy it is often made out to be. At one of DS's first clinic checks, DD was just over 2, and the new nurse was very impressed with her language - she could understand every word she said. I also interact with her when watching TV, she has a barbie dancing princess movie, when it is on sheruns off and puts on a skirt and we dance about the room to it, and we sing all the songs together. She also has a brilliant imagination and plays 'parties' with her dolls, puts them to bed, feeds them, and does lots of imaginitive play - so I really don't think it has damaged her. Moderation is the key to everything, and if kids watch TV for extended periods (endless rainy days, when mum is unwell etc)
Oh... I always have music on.:(
He doesn't actually watch the TV no... Well maybe for like 2 seconds then he is distracted by something else...
I am sure it is fine - and does K love to dance along to it like my DS does? We have the radio on sometimes and DS bops his bum around to the tunes when he is cruising/walking.
I just make sure we have plenty of time when it's silent and we talk/read too.
I prefer not to have the tv on all the time, but I don't think it is the big enemy it is often made out to be. At one of DS's first clinic checks, DD was just over 2, and the new nurse was very impressed with her language - she could understand every word she said. I also interact with her when watching TV, she has a barbie dancing princess movie, when it is on sheruns off and puts on a skirt and we dance about the room to it, and we sing all the songs together. She also has a brilliant imagination and plays 'parties' with her dolls, puts them to bed, feeds them, and does lots of imaginitive play - so I really don't think it has damaged her. Moderation is the key to everything, and if kids watch TV for extended periods (endless rainy days, when mum is unwell etc)
I agree with that Tan - I choose not to have it on yet but I don't think it's the enemy. And I am quite sure that when I am busy with BF this baby, DS will end up watching a lot of TV.
forbetoel
31-05-2008, 19:01
Yes he does. The whole family watches t.v. Obviusly I limit what sort of programs they watch. My kids have a very active life. T.V is a small part of their life, but they enjoy it, and even learn from it. My eldest 2 love the discovery channel on Foxtel.
mamajess
31-05-2008, 19:12
We have abc on for a little while in the morning. Sometimes I put on dvds. They dont watch commercial tv at all. I dont think it's the enemy, but I think it can be misused as a baby-sitter. I think too much tv, esp when it's not age appropriate content or length is really harmful to kids development to be honest
The twins do.
I'm very selective in what they watch, but yeah. generally they'll watch ABC kids on Monday and Wednesday, and on saturday they watch Diego and Dora..
they have a few DVD's we'll put on in the afternoon or if they get up before 5:30am.
But I never put the TV on for Gabriel. He's not even one, he doesn't need it/ understand it.
:yes: its on most of the day DD doesnt sit down and watch it staring at it all day. She spends alot of time outside but its still on. I hate silence when its off.
I grew up without a tv or computer for religous reasons didnt own one until the Sydney 2000 olympics. I have real issues that once i sit down and watch it there is no sense talking to me:rolleyes:
Which is quiet rude when we are at someones house:o It sort of just draws my eyes and then i am transfixed with it. I am not as bad now slowly getting better:)
Every one that i was ever around with the church and a tv at the same time has always been the same so i didnt want my children to grow up with that issue.
This might seem a silly reason to some but its mine all the same.
So i voted yes:D
Ana Gram
31-05-2008, 19:54
Tv is on pretty much all day here. We both love tv. No problems with DD's speech, in fact she is probably quite advanced in her speech :)
DD's favourite types of shows at the moment are anything with mummies (not the parent type of mummy) and finding out what the weather is going to be. She also keeps wanting to watch the news.
I prefer not to have the tv on all the time, but I don't think it is the big enemy it is often made out to be.
No, I don't think it is either.
Those "studies" and "researches" that they constantly seem to be doing used to suggest that reading too much had all of these horrible effects that supposedly television has on young people before telly became popular.
yes, he does, well I should say he is allowed to, but he's not that interested.
I don't like most of the kids shows so I don't put them on for him (mean ay? :p:laughing: oh well).
I think the daycare lady puts Hi 5 or one of those ones on and they dance around to it.
tootiredtosleep
31-05-2008, 20:13
Ours is on most of the day, as we move from room to room DD turns on the other TV's as well.
I would say that she is slightly language delayed, but I don't think that is because of the TV, I think it is more likely due to been physically delayed and, not every kid fits the text books.
She loves Wiggles, Sesame St and Playschool. If she sees an elephant she swings her hand like a trunk, says woof for dogs and baa for sheep. If I say "lets go outside" she is more than happy to go straight away, rather than continue to watch TV.
I find TV relaxing too, although I would rather watch ABC or the demonstration channel of our set top box than Oprah, soapies etc.
dd1 (nearly 3) watches Playschool several days in a week, and sometimes an episode of Dora in the afternoons. Never more than an hour of television in one block though.
dd2 (14 months) isn't allowed TV yet. Unofficially she has been in front of the box once or twice and was fascinated ... for about two minutes.
And you are certainly not an extremist. Most educationalists recommend no TV at all for children under 2, and no more than twenty minutes at a time (!) for under 5s.
While I have heard some mentions of the speech delay thing (as an anti-TV factor), from what I can gather the major concern is about concentration span: kids who watch too much tv too young expect a certain type of easily-delivered entertainment, rather than learning to appreciate slower delivery entertainment such as reading and their own imaginative play
I have seen the evidence with DD1. Even an hour can turn her into a zombie. Nothing else will please her after that - I have to send her outside to run around and come back to reality!
No to normal TV shows. :no: we only put the TV on for big brother :D
Ashleigh<3
31-05-2008, 21:11
Tv is on pretty much all day here. We both love tv. No problems with DD's speech, in fact she is probably quite advanced in her speech :)Ruby is indeed advanced. Well mannered too!
TV can alter speech, for the good and for the bad, iykwim. :p
DD watches TV.
In the mornings she likes to watch it while she eats her breakfast. She has one of those little four seater, plastic tables.
She puts her teddies in the seats and has her books and colouring in all ready to go, she has her snacks on there through out the day.
Considering we're not the only ones who live in this house the TV is usually turned on for most part of the day.
(It's a plasma so it's not good to leave it on ALL day).
Anyway, I'm not worried. She's a bright little toddler, she's happy, we spend time together and most importantly she's healthy.
They proved that TV does not ruin eyes.
Yes, it can strain eyes but it is awfully hard to glue a toddler to a TV, especially mine when she is this young and would rather play with other sorts of stuffs.
mumofKieran
31-05-2008, 21:29
No, Kieran does not watch TV, unless there is a show on at night that we're watching and he's in the room with us (he goes to bed around 9pm so often will be up while one of our shows is on) but he shows little interest.
I never turn it on specifically for him, so as yet he has not watched any children's shows (except for Humphrey on a couple of occasions when DH has been looking after him). I feel the need to protect him from it for as long as possible, as I think that my husband and I are far too addicted to it and I don't want him to be the same if I can help it!! I view it like I view chocolate, lollies etc: I realise that eventually it will be a part of his life and I can't 'protect' him forever but I don't feel the need to encourage something that IMO is far too overused in our society for entertainment (and I am talking about myself here too!!)
I actually suggested getting rid of the TV while our kids were young but that was not a popular suggestion with DH...:)
Little Gorilla
31-05-2008, 21:29
On my 2 days off DS (3.5) watches about 2 hours of TV...usually in the morning when I'm doing a bit of a clean up, having a shower, putting some washing on.
In the afternoons, he might put a DVD on (yes, he puts it on himself) while I'm getting dinner ready.
Sometimes we all jump into bed together at night and put a kiddie DVD on in the bedroom .... kind of like a movie night with snuggles & popcorn - we all love it. ......even though we have seen the DVD movie 1000 times.
DS has been wathcing TV since he was about 10 months old...however it was just an ocassional glance while playing if something caught his attentionon ABC kids.
TV does make my life easier - especially being 35 weeks pregnant....and I'm thinking in the coming weeks DS will be watching more TV if he wants too.
The thing is, if he doesn't want to watch TV, I don't "make" him watch it...I'm find another activity for him to do.
millymel
31-05-2008, 21:33
:yes: mine did but in moderation
and i had to watch in case she changed the channel cause I caught her once watching the horse races and she was loving it ( she did not get that from me )
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