A word about...TV for toddlers Children of all ages are constantly learning new things. The first 2 years of life are especially important in the growth and development of your child's brain. During this time, children need good, positive interac

[Guest guest]

> Jan <mommy76

 

> Right now he wants momma to hold him while she cooks...which can't be done!

> That's why I let him watch 3 thirty minute shows a day. He loves anything

> with MUSIC! Especially Baby Einstein. I'd like to get him down to 1 or 2

> thirty minute shows a day when he's a little older and can sit in the kitchen

> with me when I prepare meals.

 

Jan,

You've mentioned before that you do " limited tv " but I thought I'd point out

that 1.5 hours a day is not limited in any sense, and it's only within the

time limits that the AAP recommends for kids of *older* age.

Here's their recommendation:

" A word about...TV for toddlers

 

Children of all ages are constantly learning new things. The first 2 years

of life are especially important in the growth and development of your

child's brain. During this time, children need good, positive interaction

with other children and adults. Too much television can negatively affect

early brain development. This is especially true at younger ages, when

learning to talk and play with others is so important.

 

Until more research is done about the effects of TV on very young children,

the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend television for

children age 2 or younger. For older children, the Academy recommends no

more than 1 to 2 hours per day of educational, nonviolent programs. "

 

And I'd say that's still pretty generous, given how critical the early years

are for development. I do not believe there is any such thing as

" educational tv programs " because no one can learn much of anything if it's

delivered one-way (not interactive). Kids may *immitate* but that does not

mean they have any real understanding of what they're mimicking.

 

As a single mom who never had a tv and had (has) a velcro kid, I certainly

know it's hard to cook with a kid on your hip.

I set up things for ds to do while I was in the kitchen. The kitchen was

more of a playroom. One cabinet was all his. I also would put him in the

sink and let him play in water. When he was older, about 1.5 yrs (he was

not very oral, so this is too young for an oral kid) I gave him stale coffee

beans to scoop and pour and spill. But you can find a more age-appropriate

activity. A stack of post-it notes, a pile of baking cups (oh, the hours of

fun that $1 box of muffin cups provided!). Musical instruments, or pots,

pans, and wooden spoons.

 

I really hope to encourage anyone to make the effort to find alternatives to

tv. There is nothing that tv offers that is more beneficial to real life.

Peace,

Doh

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" We have enough youth. What we need is a Fountain of Smart. " ~Anonymous