Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Watching Television


Last night we let Ethan watch a “Baby Einstein” video for the first time. He seemed a little interested, but not as interested as I thought he would be. I heard these videos are like crack for babies. In a way I was glad. I am not sure about how much television to let him watch at his age and in the next few years. I told myself that I didn't want him to watch a lot of television at a young age. But I can see how tempting it would be to plop him in front of the TV so I can get some stuff done.

So my question is how much TV is too much TV??

Also, at what age is a good age to let them start watching??

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

5 comments:

Brad S said...

While Family Guy is not animation intended for kids, it's definitely ok to let him watch it with you until he's old enough to figure out what is really going on.

:)

And yes I've heard the same about Einstein. My friend's daughter was addicted. Perhaps Ethan is too smart to give into its mind controlling abilities?

Tiffany Morisue said...

Neither of mine really started watching tv until a little over a year old. They only watch shows on Disney, Nickelodeon, and Noggin. Mostly Noggin (www.noggin.com) which is an educational channel for toddlers. Both of my little ones learn A LOT from those shows. Kira, 21 months old, says a lot of stuff that we can make out and a lot that we cannot. Recently, when we were watching one of the Noggin Shows, "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan," I realized that she was repeating words in Chinese from the show. So, I think we do not understand everything she says because she is multilingual (Spanish from "Dora" and "Diego" shows)!

How much is too much is going to vary from parent to parent, kid to kid. As long as they are not watching "junk" and not "too much" and they have balance in their activities, I'm OK with tv. You and your husband need to decide what's right for you and Ethan.

Oh, and neither of mine were really interested in "Baby Einstein" though they both love the "Baby Signing Times" series of videos.

Anonymous said...

My kids didn't really like TV for a long time. i limit it to certain channels. That Cartoon Network is rude and obnoxious! Should my kids be saying "stupid" so young? It makes me crazy!
We are going to the park to swim in the creek today. i bought this house with a big yard and I'm trying to teach them to use it!!! Where are all the imaginations these days!

Merry Yee Clark said...

I agree. I can't wait to take Ethan to the library when he gets old enough to appreciate it. He will hopefully be working the yard with me instead of playing video games all day. My biggest fear is how to cope with a child that prefers squatting in front of a TV over doing something more rewarding to himself, even though he doesn't know it yet.

brent said...

That Catoon Network has got to be a tool to dumb kids down. I have seen some kids that wathced years ago, & now I think they have some sort of ADHD! I had it in the background one day, & it drove me nuts after a while. Some of those programs are dangerous for kids. Ironic that I have talked to a producer there. If you guys are hiring nevermind what I wrote above!