TV

[never2amazing]

Just a curiosity question.

[thiswillbe]

Are you talking television, specifically, or all screen time (TV, computer, videos, etc.)?

[twotrue]

Why can't I see the question?

sent from phone

[never2amazing]

Aug 9, 2012 15:41:56 GMT -5 twotrue said:

Why can't I see the question?

sent from phone

That one I don't know...I can see it on the pc

[never2amazing]

Aug 9, 2012 15:39:33 GMT -5 thiswillbe said:

Are you talking television, specifically, or all screen time (TV, computer, videos, etc.)?

Thanks for clarifying...all of the above.

[ct]

*should they* is tough wording for me because whats right or wrong for each child is dependent upon so much and I'm certainly in no position to decide what every child in the world *should* be doing.

For my kids? As little TV as possible so I voted an hour or less per week. I'm more comfortable with computer screen time than I am TV so if they were doing computer time in school or something, I'd be willing to increase that number to accomodate.

[2brides]

I agree with CT re: "should." I think that it is a very personal/family choice.

We do allow tv. The kids watch 1 show in the morning while I get ready for work (about 20m) and then they watch a movie or two on the weekend. We've also been allowing them to watch The Olympics for 30m or so in the evening - they are loving seeing the different sports that wouldn't typically be on tv.

They also have handheld games that are really more of our current issue in limiting. We let them play them in the car to/from school because it is a pretty lengthy commute to school (30-45m), but they don't get them en route home until they talk to us about their day. And I admit, that they do get more screen time than they probably should on the weekend. But for us, it is about balance.

[kershnic]

Screen time is an extremely popular form of entertainment in our culture, and for some adults as well as some kids can be a useful tool for winding down. I think it's reasonable to teach kids moderation in consuming screen time. I also think it's pretty different for a 2 year old vs. 6 year old, etc. And of course quality of screen time (an educational game vs. An episode of family guy!) Is a big factor too. I voted 1-2 hours per week, but also agree it varies by kid and family.

[ElsaVonM]

I voted "an hour or less per day." I'm not going to try to predict what rules we'll have in place a few years down the road, but I do know that watching the news with my parents every night taught me a lot about the world, and I would like for us to sit down and watch the BBC World News broadcast on PBS a couple of times a week once they are old enough to understand the basics.

[2brides]

I actually really admire CT/A (and others) who don't do any tv. My kids are typically awake 14h a day and that is a LOT of time to fill and be present and active as a parent. My hats go off to those who don't use it as a crutch (as I often do on the weekend) to fill time/get a parental break.

[eratmama]

Carrot watched a lot of TV at her previous home. For the summer, after she does her morning routine (including kindergarten prep pages) she can watch up to a whole episode of sesame street (43 min). Many days she watches none or a little. In the evening, she will often watch 20 min or so of Dora, Sesame Street, or a movie. So, theoretically, she could watch up to an hour, but most days it is much much less. I am ok with this & know it will be even less once school starts.

[ct]

Aug 10, 2012 8:38:34 GMT -5 2brides said:

I actually really admire CT/A (and others) who don't do any tv. My kids are typically awake 14h a day and that is a LOT of time to fill and be present and active as a parent. My hats go off to those who don't use it as a crutch (as I often do on the weekend) to fill time/get a parental break.

I appreciate what you're saying but, its not that I'm actively engaged with them for 100% of their awake time, its just that the focus is more on independent play/coloring/crafts/sibling play/ect. and it took a lot of work and time...when R first came, TV was a daily occurence.

And, probably the biggest contributor, is that we are go-go-go all the time...even without actively limiting TV, we have no time for it!

[twotrue]

Okay, I couldn't see the question because it was a clicky poll and you can't see clicky polls on the app.

Anyway....like others said I don't think there is one right or wrong answer. If you count time in front of the computer than my child would be off your chart because she Skypes with my parents at least 3 night a week during dinner. We set the lap top up on the dinner table and it's like they are dining with us. I have no issue with this and don't consider it computer time (even though she is looking at a screen).

As for tv/movies she can watch Signing Time videos and her 'fish movies' (Finding Nemo and various underwater documentaries). She loves fish! She doesn't watch them daily and even when she does I would say she rarely sits in front of them for more than 20 minutes at once. It's usually just if I'm cooking and she wants to sit quietly. All together in a week I would say she sees less than 1.5 hours of tv.

She has watched a bit of the Olympics with me either during dinner or for 15 minutes before heading to bed.

[hlke]

Ah...the screen time question. This debate is yet to be settled in the H&C household. I'm in favor of "as little as possible" but acknowledge that my own screen time habits are sub-optimal. I watch almost no TV but spend TONS of time on the Internet on my laptop. I'm working on changing this in my own life, and I'm sure having a kiddo around will help to change it too.

On the other hand, C feels that screen time can be educational and positive. Our friends have a "learn to trace the alphabet" game for iPad that their 3 year old uses. I agree this is probably positive, but I'm uncomfortable with how he pretty much has free access to the iPad for a whole variety of apps. At the same time, the same kiddo engages in a ton of imaginitive play.

I think for us it is going to be an ongoing balancing, but we have agreed to stick to no screen time for under 2s and go from there. All of which is a very long way of saying, I didn't choose a clicky vote.

[never2amazing]

Thank you all. I apologize for the "should." The reason I asked this question was to get a gauge on TV viewing amongst our (C and mine) board friends. We both respect your opinions greatly.

C and I have a controversy about TV watching and computer usage. I think it is okay for us to sit down and watch a 30 to 60 mins of TV every once and awhile (more than just Sunday). My preferred channel is Sprout. I was anxiously awaiting for them to be 2-years of age for them to be able to watch some TV (we had previously agreed to no TV prior to 2). The Kiddos are allowed to watch 40 minutes of Caillou on Sunday. I have to be honest, when it comes to computer time I do play music videos for them from time to time (i.e. I break the rules).

C did not grow up with TV...she has a very creative mother and mind stimulating activities were a norm (C's father is as close to a genius as I have ever seen). I so respect that...however, I did not grow up like that. TV was limited in our house, and education was key, but in the evening I remember how I loved to lay on the carpet and watch TV with my folks. I really love to sit down with the Kiddos and watch Caillou or cave to the demands on which "Wheels on the Bus" video each want to watch. Though in C's defense, I have been in many meetings with her (here at work) and watched her look at a handout or a slide and spot the mistake or offer a solution in a matter of minutes...she has awesome problem-solving skills.

I feel like neither C nor I are right or wrong...we just have different a belief system on this one and are finding it hard to find a compromise.

[twotrue]

Should your conversation perhaps focus more on quality vs. quantity? If C is generally against TV, but is open to some, would the quality of that TV make her feel better? I've never seen Caillou so I'm not speaking to the quality of that exact show but in general can C (you around?) see the benefit of TV if the programming is educational?

[never2amazing]

Aug 13, 2012 10:42:30 GMT -5 twotrue said:

Should your conversation perhaps focus more on quality vs. quantity? If C is generally against TV, but is open to some, would the quality of that TV make her feel better? I've never seen Caillou so I'm not speaking to the quality of that exact show but in general can C (you around?) see the benefit of TV if the programming is educational?

Uh......................she is pretty much against any sort of TV or videos *sigh*

[thiswillbe]

Aug 14, 2012 14:13:10 GMT -5 never2amazing said:

Aug 13, 2012 10:42:30 GMT -5 twotrue said:

Should your conversation perhaps focus more on quality vs. quantity? If C is generally against TV, but is open to some, would the quality of that TV make her feel better? I've never seen Caillou so I'm not speaking to the quality of that exact show but in general can C (you around?) see the benefit of TV if the programming is educational?

Uh......................she is pretty much against any sort of TV or videos *sigh*

Let me correct you here, My Love. I am not "against any sort of TV or videos." Do I have concerns about the effects of TV on young, developing brains? Yes. Do I believe the research that shows it is harmful for kids to see images that bounce around, subject to subject, in a way that distorts reality? Yes. (Would I be considerably more willing to allow our kids to watch a single-camera type of show? YES.)

Do I have concerns that indulging in "a little" TV-watching will become a slippery slope to TV-as-babysitter? Yes. (And rightfully so, I believe, as I came downstairs the other day to two kids glued to some Japanese cars video on the computer.)

I just think that, by and large, kids 4 and under can (and therefore should) get by without much TV in their lives. Sure, they enjoy watching Caillou, but they also enjoy pushing their babies in their baby strollers, playing with their toy cars, coloring, sitting and flipping quietly through one of their books...


And Two, yes, the quality of the TV program/ video/ whatever makes a BIG difference. Skype is 100% OK with me because it's real people interacting in a real way (well, minus the technological hiccups and occasional frozen frames, lol!). A little Caillou is totally OK with me-- educational storylines, a multiethnic "cast" (albeit animated), etc.-- as are things like the Olympics (in reasonable doses, of course). It's looking over at my son and seeing a completely blank stare I don't like. Or attempting to engage my daughter by asking a question about the show and getting no response whatsoever.

As with most things, it isn't a black-and-white issue for me. I just think caution is warranted.