Are TV shows good for kids?

I think most children do watch too much TV. I know my grandchildren do. Too many parents use TV for a babysitter. When my girls were little, they watched very little TV. They watched Sesame Street and The Electric Company and a few cartoons. Other than that, they were playing outside, drawing, coloring or reading. They also loved going to museums and parks. We had a great time and they learned a lot, too. When they were in daycare, I found out from them that they were watching soap operas with the girls and ladies who worked there. How I found out was that my oldest was showing me how one character was kissing another one. She knew their names and everything! So I went by early one day to see for myself and let them know I did not approve! TV is a wonderful thing if not abused. It's just like everything else, you have to use good judgement.

Dear friend, I do hope there are both side for TV as good programmes and bad programmes it depends upon what programme the child is watching. Hence I feel a better one could give a better impact and other a bad one a bad impact may be childern have to watch certain programmes which are really needed in their life and also be consious not to watch other which gives a negative impact. May be not in certain childern but it depends how deep that child takes it also.

Television is a tool, and it can be used in good and bad means. I agree, sometimes it is a powerful motivator for children to see characters and imitate them. I guess we have to make sure they are not seeing things we do not want them to imitate. Also good to balance their life with play, outdoors, reading and other things.

We limit our daughters tv time. But it really depends on the program. She will be 5 in July. She watches some educational programs. Two that come to mind are WORDWORLD, and SuperWhy. These are reading and phonics programs. I think they are helpful. It really should be the parents in control of what the kids watch. The parent should be the better influence.

some shows are good or ok , but i dont think kids should watch too much tv, like in the winteR my son was watching good shows like dora, and thomas the train type shoes but because there was nothing else to do ( like go outside and play) he watched about 2 -3 hrs a day sometimes a little more, which i dont like, but i started it, and then he wants to keep watching

TV is maybe one of the best things that ever happened. I learn constant things of it by watching the news, NGC or discovery but also just movies and documentaries. I have never learned english at school but from TV and my PC. Kids can learn so much more in less time. Ofcourse there are programs that are just total... Like those (teenage) soaps, but hey if you like it. Still kids shouldn't watch TV all the time and that's where parents should say "ok you had enough" and realy put off the TV. I sometimes see parents say it but when their kids start to whine they give in...that's just the wrong thing to do. They don't have toys to play with anymore? Maybe show some toys of your own, from your childhood.

I think watching some TV is ok for kids. I let my little guy watch a few of the morning/early afternoon shows every day. He also watches Wheel of Fortune and Deal or No Deal. The important thing is that I know what he is watching, and know that it's something that is ok for him to watch. I also try to watch the TV with him, or at least listen to it if I'm doing something else. That way if he has any questions about anything, I can answer them. Communication is so important!

hello there! you posted a good topic. I am single but i have a lot of cousins. yes, watching television influence children a lot. this is the reason why parents should be keen in watching what their children are watching. parents should choose the TV programs for their children. mass media as of now is very powerful especially in children's education. Yes, watching TV can be beneficial but can also be destructive... :-)

My 3 year old loves Noggin, the cable channel. It has a preschool type of set-up! I wouldn't have thought she'd actually learn, I figured she was more "coping" what they said when she answered them. However the other day I drew a circle and she said, momma thats a circle,I proceeded to draw and square and a triangle which she knew both shapes as well!!

My children probably watch about 3 hours each day. During the summer usually only an hour. My oldest daughter (4) has learned alot from Dora. That is her favorite show of all time.