Television Guidelines

My son gets to watch 1 (30 minutes-ish) learning video before his nap if he eats his lunch. That's all the TV he gets to watch.

I would just start turning it off. It's really not a big deal. I started to think my kids were watching too much way back when they were like 2 and 3, so I would just walk by it and say "okay, that show's over, now let's turn it off for awhile" and they'd just get up and start playing.

Two ideas I've heard and really like are...

1. TV is just for weekends, or just for after dinner, or limiting it like that.

2. Give you daughter 8 TV coupons at the beginning of each week. Each is good for 30 minutes of TV time that she has to hand in before sitting down to watch. At the end of the week, if she has any coupons left she can return them to you for a dollar each.

It's really great that you're thinking about this as it is sooooooo easy to just let them watch all they want! Good luck!

I haven't used TV as a privelege, but more of a special treat. I keep track in my head how much TV they have watched that day and limit it depending on the day. If it is a nice day out and we have running around to do, then it might be none or only 15 minutes while I rest. If it's gross out or we're stuck in for the 4th day in a row, it might get stretched to an hour. I try not to let them watch more than an hour, but things happen.

I found what you did - it's easy to get into a bad habit with TV. It seems like the more they watch, they more they want to watch. The good thing though is I've found the less they watch, the more they are able to entertain themselves. Of course, when I'm tired I figure there are worse things out there than 20 minutes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Hooray for you!! Most moms don't realize their children are watching too much TV. You are doing your daughter the biggest favor in the world by turning off that television - though SHE won't think so! :)

This is going to be a VERY long response, because this is one issue which will get me up on my soapbox!

I recently wrote a paper on this subject for one of my college classes. I have done much research, and can cite the sources this information comes from, so for those moms who want to defend TV to me - bring it on!

Watching television limits the development of the children's creativity and imagination, and shortens attention spans. (Yes, I know that I'll be stepping on lots of toes here....lots of moms saying "MY child watches TV and has a great imagination!".....but just think what that "great" imagination would be like if they were NOT watching TV!)

Did You Know.............

American children spend more time watching television than in any other waking activity, with additional time devoted to video games and computer time?

68% of school-aged children have a TV in their bedrooms?

Children with TVs in their rooms have lower scores on school tests, are more likely to have sleep problems, be overweight, and start smoking?

ADHD affects between 4-12% of American children and is the most common behavioral disorder in children?

Early television exposure in children 1-3 years is associated with attention problems at age 7?

Limiting young children's exposure to television during the formative years of brain development may reduce a child's subsequent risk of developing ADHD?

TV viewing among children younger than three years old was associated with less cognitive development and lower scores on reading recognition and comprehension?

Adolescents who watch higher amounts of TV are more likely to develop symptoms of depression in adulthood?

Due to obesity, for the first time in over 100 years, children today face a shorter life expectancy rate than that of their parents?

Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years?

Obesity in children increases the more hours they watch TV?

Now, for another subject near and dear to my heart……….outdoor time!

Nature Deficit Disorder is a term coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book “Last Child in the Woods”. It refers to the trend that children are spending less time outdoors, resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems.

There have been multiple studies that show children who go outside more often, exercise more than children who don't spend much time outdoors.

Children who don’t get “nature-time” seem more prone to anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit problems, according to Louv.

Researchers who have studied the relationship between children’s ability to focus and their exposure to nature through leisure activities found that children’s attentional functioning improves after play in green settings.

In one study it was found that the greener an activity area, the better the children functioned, with attention deficit symptoms becoming less severe.

Studies show that nature fosters creativity and calms children struggling with information overload. Water, trees, bushes, flowers, woods, and streams are the best kind of toys because unlike action figures or collectables they can be anything.

Research shows that outdoor education enriches children’s lives in fundamental ways. Children who learn and play outdoors have longer attention spans, more creativity, higher levels of self-confidence, higher standardized test scores, less anxiety, less depression, and significant improvements in cognitive development, self-discipline, and social interactions.

Scientists have found that spending significant time in the outdoors helps build healthier immune systems in children.

One study I read reported that 91% of parents interviewed blamed TV, computers, and video games for their children’s lack of interest in getting outdoors. Well, whose fault is THAT??!!

It’s time for parents to BE the parent. Turn off the TV, and tell your children to go outside and play!

Okay, I’m getting off my soapbox. Blessings to you and yours, and have a Merry Christmas, K.!

J.

We haven't necessarily rewarded them with TV for good behavior or for completing chores, but I'd say simple things like cleaning-up toys at her age are appropriate rewards.

Or, you can tell her she gets to choose a certain number of shows per day and let her decide how she wants to watch them.

I've noticed that when the TV isn't on, usually the kids find other ways to entertain themselves. We can go all afternoon without turning it on, but if we do to watch the news or something along those lines, it's all about watching Playhouse Disney or Nick Jr.

I echo the good for you statements! TV does way more harm than people realize. We only have so many hours to be engaged with our children when they are young and we need to role model for them the fun of reading, playing games, independently playing, etc... Turn it off....go play something else. You'll meet less resistence than you think. Totally agreeing also that tv does have some benefits in limiting use with engaged parents aware and talking about what is going on on the screen.

Here's a website you might want to check out...it has helped me evaluate lots of things from McDonald's and Elmo and other icons that are focused on building multimillion dollar businesses that do not necessarially have your child's best interest at heart. http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/

Not to defend TV watching, but to maximize the benefit (or minimize the harm), if you have to let them watch...is to try "active" watching. If you are in the same room, or whenever you come by, ask questions: what is the character doing? why are they doing it? who is that? where are they going?... in order to increase awareness and critical thinking, not just sit there and mindlessly stare at the screen.

At 4, we had Abbie picking up her own clothes, putting things into the laundry basket (if she can't reach where it is, put something in her room where she can put dirty clothes), help pick up her room, help with minor chores - she LOVES to help scrub the floor, etc.

I use enzyme based products, not chemical. I still do it the old fashioned way...on my hands and knees. She sprayed and I wiped. She helped and still helps, in the kitchen- with cooking, setting the table, etc. There are PLENTY of things she can do. Think about your every day tasks and ask yourself what things she can help with or be involved with...like putting the clothes in the dryer as you hand them to her. Some of these things take longer, but it REALLLY makes a difference to them, their self confidence and ability to see the effort that goes into keeping house.

I believe in raising responsible children and you'll end up with a responsible adult. I think this helps them gain respect, as well, since they have a part in understanding what you do and the time it takes.

Sometimes I conpromise. If there is something she wants me to do with her, I ask her to help me first and then I will play the game or whatever with her. Works pretty much every time. Helps her understand the concept of working together, too. I LOVE the time I spend doing chores with her.

We don't have a problem w/ the TV and some days, it's not on at all. We do workbook pages, play games, etc. Set time limits if you have to. Do learning games and skills together. Set aside time for those then make them a part of whatever you're doing. i.e....if you've been working on phonics, sounds of letters or whatever, then as you are doing laundry.....the word SOCK begins with.........SHIRT begins with......etc. There are SO many learning experiences in everyday tasks.

Use math at the grocery store. Have them start LOOKING at labels. Find numbers, colors, shapes, comparisons (smaller or larger), let them pick something new from the produce section and try new things together. Let them help plan the menu.....peas or green beans, etc.

I taught preschool - 3's and 4's and NOW is the time to expand their minds as MUCH as you possibly can! They are FAR more willing to learn at this age than down the road. They WANT to learn and try new things. Start thinking outside the box. You'll NEVER be bored and neither will she and you'll find an ABUNANCE of learning opportunities to keep you occupied and help get things done, too.

If she cleans her room- pick up toys. Give her a half hour or hour. Also find which shows she cannot live without and tape them so she can watch when she's allowed.

I am probably going to have all of you hate me but I never limeted TV. I myself watch constanly. I use to do soaps but gave them up years ago and now my favorite isn't even on. I loved Passions which was on NBC now I think they are on one of the satelite networks and I do not nor will I ever have Satelite. We had it onvce and customer service was terrible. I have the Tv on for noise sometimes. I love the music I hear on cable and I love all the how to shows, secience programs and Science Fiction. When I was watching my youngest Grandson he was only allowed certain shows. Ones that teach letters and numbers. He was 3 when Mama got ticked and stoped or deal of me taking care of her. He was reading. I think she was jealious of me teaching him so much in the short time I had him. She put him in day care and they said he was much more advansed than the other kids.

As a mother I am sure you can do what's best for your family in reguards to Tv.

Does she take naps? Maybe a half hour to calm her down for naps.