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All right, I was raised a TV kid and raised my oldest a TV kid. It was just something I figured kids do - watch TV. At least that’s what all the commercials showed.
But then I kept reading the studies. Listening to experts that basically blame a society of unfocused, ADD children on the television. Seems all those flashing lights and sitting idle and unchallenged isn’t good for kids.
So we decided why not? No Teletubbies, Blue’s Clues or Wiggles for us and our youngest kid. Not until Aug. 7, 2008 - his second birthday. The age tossed out by most experts.
Call it our experiment. Or our way of getting right what we might have messed up the first time around.
And I’m definitely in uncharted territory here. I mean I think I was a TV mom. I loved sitting with my oldest and watching the four weird creatures who pronounced Hello in a really freaky way. Elmo was an ole’ favorite. When my son graduated to Veggie Tales, those were great times.
I’ve learned that a world without TV is quite a bit different. I actually miss Barney (never thought I’d say those words). But I also gotta say that maybe these experts are on to something.
Our little toddler goes running for the shelf when you say the word “book.” He looked at me like I was giving him poison when I handed him the red Teletubby doll at Toys R Us this weekend. But seconds later lit up like he was recognizing an old friend when he saw the “10 Little Ladybugs” book we have at home.
He doesn’t know these Doodlebops people talk about. Couldn't care less about Blue. But he can sit for minutes on end reading “There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Bat.”
Heck, it may not make any difference. He may become a TV addict and still lack that attention and focus we’re trying so hard to instill. But at least we can say we gave it a shot.
Anybody else out there who has gone those first two years TV free? Is there more to early childhood than Barney and Po and Blue? (I’ve tried books with those characters and he tosses them aside. Don’t know what that means.) And does anyone else feel guilty having raised a child on TV, lots of TV?
In six months and 10 days we’re see what our youngest really thinks of that red Teletubby.
Not only does T.V. create attention problems, but there are studies out there with direct correlation to the amount of time a child watches t.v. to their delay in verbal development. The more time a child watches television, the lower their vocabulary. my daughter is soon to be 14 and I allowed way too much t.v. when she was younger. My sister, on the otherhand is a firm believer in the no t.v. or very limited t.v. She has a 4 year old, a just turned 3 year old and a one year old. Her 4 year old and 3 year old have a vocabulary that is out of this world when compared wiht most children their age. I don't know if I'll ever have more children, but if I do, you can bet that I will follow my sister's example. and as I am 15 hours away from a family development degree, I have seen the studies that back up limited television use and progressed cognitive development... my sister's children are just a great example.I couldn't agree more. Reading this came at an uncanny time as my dd and I sat down to watch the second half of Sesame Street together for the first time this morning. For two years the t.v. is off until 8p.m. when she goes to bed, but this morning I fired it up at 10:30a.m. (DVRed to cut out commercials). I felt guilty doing it! Really guilty, but I thought it was time to augment our learning plan (read as I needed fresh ideas!) We will see how it goes, but I feel good about my decision and feel even more relieved there are other moms out therewith similar mindsets. Thanks for posting!I couldn't agree more. Reading this came at an uncanny time as my dd and I sat down to watch the second half of Sesame Street together for the first time this morning. For two years the t.v. is off until 8p.m. when she goes to bed, but this morning I fired it up at 10:30a.m. (DVRed to cut out commercials). I felt guilty doing it! Really guilty, but I thought it was time to augment our learning plan (read as I needed fresh ideas!) We will see how it goes, but I feel good about my decision and feel even more relieved there are other moms out therewith similar mindsets. Thanks for posting!In the beginning I was very gung-ho about no TV - my mother-in law acted like I was a nazi - but I wanted my son to play and read and learn to use his imagination. Well he just turned 14 months and I've caved. We watch Disney from 7:30 until his 9am nap. Then it's no TV for the rest of the day. It's not that we just sit there and stare mindlessly at the TV - more like it's playing in the background. I still get worried that I'm making the wrong decision, though, because sometimes I will see him just sitting there, not moving, completely enthralled with what's on TV - He'll sit there for a good 15 minutes totally engrossed. Thats when I start to worry about the pull of TV. It's so hard though, because it seems difficult to limit it everywhere else and even at home on the weekends. This is exacerbated by the fact that its so cold now that we can't go spend the time outdoors. Maybe I should try putting music on in the background in the morning instead of the Disney Channel. Hmmmmm...We do very little TV, but my kids aren't real junkies. They have other stuff they'd rather do. But, if they do want to watch, it's educational and only for a short period of time.Way to go, Laura. I wish I could have done this with my littlest one, but I found I needed the break at different times just to give in to TV. There's good stuff on -- Dora, Sesame Street -- but I HATE commercials. They want everything they see. It's SO fustrating.We don't have cable, so that severely limits what the kids watch. And PBS is great, especially the part about not having any commercials. From what I remember about all the studies is it isn't just TV. You should limit "screen time" so that means less time on computer games and video games. I actually find the latter more addictive for my kids. Sometimes the tv is just on as "background noise" and they'll be playing/running around at the same time. If they are on the computer or playing with their Leapster, they are practically hypnotized.That's fantastic! We've limited screen time since my 2nd was born. I find it's not the kids who are the most addicted-- it's ME. It's so easy to get a break by letting them watch tv or play on the computer. And my resolve goes in cycles. Holiday time was terrible. They watched a LOT and wanted a LOT of junk toys they saw ads for. Behavior was worse, too--more argumentative. Since Christmas, we have cut to basic cable, meaning no Disney or Nick. The girls are back to making crafts, playing dolls, and increasing their imagination. Don't get me wrong- I was a tv kid, and am a tv adult. I LOVE tv. But it's not a creative outlet in general, so we limit it. Keep your resolve, but don't get too discouraged if you give in once in awhile to get a little peace. And wish me luck as I try to break my own addiction!My kids all had TV. One skipped a grade, one is a National Merit Semi-finalist, all of them are honor roll, AP classes, all were reading before they started kindergarten. The youngest grew up on Barney, started singing Barney songs at 12 months before she could talk and she now has a lovely operatic voice. It's her passion. You don't have to be a Nazi about it or feel guilty. Goodness knows, I never would've been able to write without Barney. Once the music started, I had 22 minutes to bang things out on the computer. It just takes some common sense. Read to them, do things with them, but remember, stay at home moms deserve a life, too,If you like the Nick Jr shows but hate the commercials, try Noggin. It's 24/7 now, my three year old and I watch Oswald at 9pm before storytime (he tends to stay up late). With both my boys, I've tried to limit their viewing- they know there are certain hours when TV is not an option. I've found that by being selective with their viewing, TV can actually be beneficial and mind-expanding.
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