I always find the subject of television and children a little controversial.
I’ve heard some parents argue until they are really blue in the face that television is bad for children and creates non-communicative zombies. I have also heard parents at the opposite extreme refer to the television as “the baby sitter” and admit that their pre-schoolers just sit watching television all day.
Check out this article from The New York Times – there are some interesting points in this which you might be able to relate to.
For me the answer is the same as many things in life – it is all about balance and making sensible choices.
Of course it is not good for children to watch television all day, every day but it is also OK to do that some of the time.
There are programmes which I wouldn’t say offer a lot in terms of learning but there are many that offer a considerable amount.
For example, our children know quite a few Spanish words – that is courtesy of watching Dora The Explorer. They understand about adhesion and trajectories courtesy of Blaze and the Monster Machines. They understand about elements as a result of seeing Cloudbabies and programmes like Bing (as annoying as we might find it as parents sometimes) have important messages that can help you explain a range of things to your children.
I would argue that certain television programmes can teach children a range of things and whilst this should never replace what you can offer your child by spending time with them, it can also spark an interest in something, such as gardening or learning sign language (Mr Bloom and Mr Tumble) and therefore it is perfectly fine to form part of the week.
The learning process can be extended by some of the toys available that are linked to the shows your children might watch.
For example, the new Cloudbabies toys can help children learn about colour and texture and are designed to be sensory toys that appeal to both girls and boys. When children can relate real things they can touch to things they see on the television this can further enhance their learning.
What are your children’s favourite television shows? What are your views on how television should be approached with children.
11 comments
I have got a 2 year old little boy, and he became interested in CBeebies about 6 months ago (before he was not interested in watching TV at all, which pleased me).
His favourite programs are Peter Rabbit and In the Night Garden.
I do not let him watch more than 1 hour a day, and this tends to be split over the morning and evening (as I work 5 days a week, it works well to let him watch a bit in the morning whilst I’m getting ready)
I am neither strongly for or against letting children watch TV. There are days that I wished I had never introduced it, and other days where I feel proud of my son, because he has repeated a phrase / learnt to do something from watching the TV.
Yes I am with you on that. It is all about balance isn’t it. Thanks for reading 🙂
I think a lot of stuff on Cbeebies is awesome and super-educational. Squiglet is a legend in my house – he and the Alphablocks are completely responsible for my son learning all his numbers and letters long before I would have ever considered teaching them to him myself.
There is a lot of dross as well, obviously 😀
x Alice
#ShareTheJoy
Totally agree Alice – all about balance and judgement about what works and what doesn’t 🙂
Like most things, it’s all about moderation … Cherry pick the good stuff and then switch it off and do something else for a bit. #sharethejoy
Spot on! Exactly – thanks for reading 🙂
I don’t feel I am allowed to really comment on this as I am still waiting for my child to come into the world. BUT I do hope that I can limit the amount of tv my child will watch. My partner is ADDICTED to TV & it drives me crazy. Of coarse I will let my child watch tv but not to the extent that her father does. Though Im worried how I will be able to get away with that, how fair will it be if dad can watch hours of tv and she can’t?
Ah well congratulations and good luck with all things parenting – I understand the dilemma you have and good luck with that too x
I think kids can learn from certain channels and they can be entertained with them as well as long as their are limits. We limit are two but we still allow it as well. Life is all about balance. Great post. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
Balance is certainly what it is about – thanks Jenny x
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