Children and TV when is it too much for them?
@TheMonkeyKing (152)
Philippines
December 7, 2009 10:23pm CST
My wife and I always have had a quandary? We have noticed that our three-year old have started to use English and some Spanish words. We use our native tongue and she hasn't started school yet. We've attributed this to her watching TV.
But we also wonder if by just staring at the boob tube, she is inhibiting her creativity and imagination by not playing with her toys. So I would like to know other people's opinion, just when is TV too much for your kid?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
8 Dec 09
I actually do not allow my baby to watch TV, until he is 2 years old. Although some of my friends always told me that I should let him watch TV, especially those children educational programs, so that he can learn from it. I'm thinking we should let the baby play with the toys, to build up the creativity and observation, and also interact with people. I'm thinking perhaps 1-2 hours watching TV is okay for a 3 year old kid.
@TheMonkeyKing (152)
• Philippines
9 Dec 09
Quite right. We had the same experience, but I've read recently that Disney had refunded all Baby Einstein products. Someone pointed out and filed a complaint, that children allowed to watch or use the products had not become geniuses.
Having said that, I would also pity a child who would not be able to point out and recognize popular TV characters. Indeed it's hard to know at what point is enough and what is too much.
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 09
I didn't know the case about Baby Einstein products. When I told my friends that I do not let my baby watch movies, they actually comment that I should let him watch Baby Einstein CD, as it's for developing baby's brain as young as they are even 2 months old. I still refuse to listen to my friends. 
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
9 Dec 09
I think it depends on the kid. I never really tried to limit how much tv my kids watched. I found that most the time they just liked having it on for the background noise. It would be on but they would be sitting playing with their toys and not even watching it. All three of my kids are very creative and imaginative. Sometimes it amazes me the stuff they come up with and the stories they can tell. I think sometimes the tv shows they watch give them the ideas too and I know that some shows really help them learn. My son is 2-1/2. He knows how to sing his alphabet, can recognize all the letters and can count to 13. He has two older sisters but I know he couldn't have picked up all of that just from them.
@TheMonkeyKing (152)
• Philippines
10 Dec 09
It also gives us a small surprise when she uses words that we know we could not have taught her. This is what some of our friends also tell us, that kids can learn something from the TV. Our kid sometimes does what your kids do, that is play while the TV is on. But most times she can be focused on what she's watching that she's just staring at the screen.
@dpk262006 (58678)
• Delhi, India
9 Dec 09
Hi TheMonkey!
It appears that you are too much worried about your three years old. I thinks a three years old baby is too young to understand much of TV. I agree with you that toys are the best bet for her, but let her allow to watch TV for few minutes, it will create an impact on her mind about visuals and their movements.
@TheMonkeyKing (152)
• Philippines
10 Dec 09
It is not that we are really worried, concern may be the right word. Concern as to; if what we are doing is the right thing.
She does react to the shows well. She also creates her own worlds when playing alone.
