Television for very young children

[hquek]

Watching tv is a minefield. I’m at work so it’s easy for me to say no tv for my kids - but the caregiver at home might not be able to live without tv (esp if it’s an ingrained habit). Also, for SAHM, I understand that having kids watch show is a good distraction so the mummies can concentrate on housework for that window of time.


One classmate of DS1 when he was in playgroup (about 20mths old) is very prone to violence and using his fists and feet. Apparently, his grandpa is a fan of gongfu flicks. So don’t say kids don’t know - they are absorbing way faster than adults think.

DH and I used to be deadset against disney channel for kids. But now, we both agree that Okto is far worse - the unrelenting commercials telling kids to buy buy buy, the ‘violent’ shows where there’s so much bamming and whamming and zapping. At least Playhouse disney doesn’t have commercials on the latest toys and what nots. Now I rather pay to let him watch that channel, than having free-to-air channels that cost me even more when we go to shopping centers.

Some shows that I think kids should actually watch - leappad frog dvd collection (letter factory, etc), little einsteins are ok (introduces classical and artistic masterpieces). Dora/barney/elmo ok also. All these are available from the library. The Word Machine is also catchy and fun - introduces kids to phonics with funny songs and such (this one got to buy, haven’t seen in library yet).

[justlynne]

i agree with fellow mummies on the TV BAN too!


But it takes a LOT of reinforcement especially for those who work. It’s hard to let our caregivers especially the MIL, know that TV is bad cos old people don’t see it that way…i had disagreements previously but now a SAHM n able to control it better!

i prefer the kids to run under the sun or do some sports to reduce the risk of them being overweight and myopic…