How many hours a day......
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How many hours a day......
| Thu, 02-08-2007 - 8:33am |
How many hours a day does your child watch tv? I'm afraid my 2yr old watches too much, its been hard because w/ the cold weather I haven't been able to take her outside, and I'm catching myself letting her watch tv. She watches tv for about an hr when she gets up in the morning, then a 1/2 hr cartoon before her nap, and then some days, not every day, an hr late in the afternoon. Is this too much? She loves Caillou, and he's on right before her nap, and after its over she heads right for her bed, because she knows its nap time, that has actually helped me, because it has elimnated the nap time battle w/ her. Anyone else have a thought?


I think you have to know your own child, really. I did the unpopular thing and let mine watch tv all day. The majority of shows for kids that age are educational and harmless. My kids don't sit in front of the tv and stair mindlessly at it, they're playing or making art at the same time, sometimes not even watching, really. I think making the tv evil is a mistake. In our house it's on a lot of the time and it's not a big deal. I do turn it off from time to time, and I think if you see that your child is becoming obsessed with it, you should take action. And at 2yo, I'd concentrate on the educational shows, like sesame street and blues clues.
I have 3 kids, two 6yos and an 8yo. When they were two 2yos and a 4yo, I needed HELP, lol. If I didn't have the tv, I don't know what I would've done. My oldest daughter is an extremely good student, reading well above her level in school and in advaced classes, my youngest daughter is following in her path and my son is right on schedule, too. And behaviorally, you couldn't ask for better kids.
Erin
I don't think it's too big a deal. It's winter and there's a limited number of things to do. I also work out of my home which means I need some 'help' from time to time too. I have a 5yo and a 2yo. My 5yo has school in the morning and DD doesn't watch tv when DS isn't watching.
Whatever. It's winter and the tv will basically be off all spring and summer so no big deal. As long as they do other activities too, I'm sure it's not a big deal.
Jenn
I think as long as a child doesn't stare,trance-like,at TV for hours and not get any physical exercise,it's fine.I'm the type to keep TV on all day long,whether I'm actually watching it or not and I did that when my daughter was little.She'd stop and watch her favorites,but otherwise was playing and doing other things,with PBS just kinda in the background, but always on.She's now a very smart and healthy 5th grader who can take or leave TV. I'll do the same with my baby on the way!
Allison