Too Much TV!?

I'm opposite of many on this... I don't think it's bad to watch tv. I think it's harmful for children to watch the news, but if they are age appropriate shows, I wouldn't worry about it. Take care, C.

In my opinion it is too much, they are sponges and you would be amazed at what they will pick up from it.

hello S.,
honestly my son watches t.v. for most of the day too! the difference between you and i is that i am a stay at home mommy and have a second child on the way! with you and your husband, you work, so it's understandable that he's in the living room watching t.v. still and playing his toys as you and your husband unwind! i think it's ok for them to watch t.v. especially when it's educational programs! but it's also good to interact with them, take the t.v. away for a couple of hours to play with him or go to the park or something. I know with your work schedule you're probably tired when you come home because you have to come home and be a mom, ie. cook dinner, clean up, take care of your son! I was the same way when i was working too, i'd come home and my husband would go to work and it would be nap time for my son, so we would go to bed, then when he woke up he would be watching t.v. and playing and i would be making dinner and cleaning up. I guess alot of moms or people (especially doctors) would say that that's too much t.v., yes i agree, but sometimes i watch my son as he's watching t.v. and he does learn quite alot of things from watching those educational programs, heck, sometimes i learn something too! haha..i don't know if this is any help, but i thought i would let you know that you're not the only one that does this!

Get ready for this one....LOL

First off, I think that some of the "study" research findings people are suggesting are absolutely WRONG - wether or not the study is even scientific is a whole different matter. Anyone can put together a make-believe study in which they fictionally "prove" their own personal views and biases using "study results or scientific research" that they pulled out of their proverbial behinds (especially when found on the internet). A "study" is useless unless it is scientifically valid (internally, externally, and in its construct), has a clear measure of data and collection of that data (qualitative/quantitative), is reliable, etc etc (i you've ever taken a college level research class, you already know all this stuff). You can find thousands of "studies" concerning children and television viewing with a google search, and a great multitude of these are outright fakes that only serve the purpose that its authors intend as opposed to reflecting real research and findings. I'll do my best to dig up a study that I know to be properly conducted and presented in an unbiased manner: one of the best and most reliable sources for studies such as this is a publication called The Lancet, so feel free to search it yourself via internet with this is mind. The American Association of Pediatrics "recommends" no prolonged television viewing for a child under the age of two, but is in no way saying that tv viewing before that causes ANYTHING.
This being said, it is not exposure to television is not what MAY contribute to ADD or ADHD (or other behavioral problems), its exposure to what, for how long, and wether or not there is a parent present and interacting with the child during that viewing time. The TV being on as background noise in your sons day has as much effect as, say, the constant noise of traffic, birds, dogs etc that she would normally encounter in the outside world. In fact, his background being saturated with vocabulary is far more beneficial to her soon to be burgeoning speech than SILENCE- of course, it is no replacement for interaction with someones live voice talking directly to him, but in infancy, he is only capable of taking in so much for so long. It is not harming him. It is also unfair to expect the caregiver to not watch TV or have it on at all. Its her house! Unless you pay her for 24 hours a day, you can't really expect to have a say - and I think it is silly to expect her to sit and do nothing while your child is sleeping. While you might choose to read a book, she chooses to watch the TV. You have to realize that she is not you and will not do things just as you would do them if you were caring for your child during the day: its one of the trade offs when putting your infant in child care.

I am 27 years old, and was raised on TV, just like most of my generation. We are the generation that was saturated with all television shows child geared: violent, non-violent, and most of them completely uneducational (stuff like rainbow bright, my little pony, GI Joe, Spiderman, all of those shows I remember as a kid). While my mother was a stay at home mom until my sister and I were both elementary school aged and TV was never used as a babysitter, no one had restrictions on TV viewing when I was a kid. I graduated HS with a 4.3 GPA, attended Cal and achieved two undergraduate degrees, and I am currently attending Stanford for my phd in speech and language pathology. I am a CA certified teacher, and have taught in private and public schools, worked as a psychologist, though my realm of expertise is special education. So, Im an overachiever - as is the hubby who works at Apple - and I have to say that all of my high school and college peers of a like age were also generally overachievers. So, rest assured, TV exposure has nothing to do with attention, intelligence, capability, aptitude, anything like that. It does have to do with the quality of care a child receives, the level and quality of interaction with adult caretakers, the childs personality and that of the caretaker (and how they mesh). If you are happy with this caretaker in every other way (and she is your sister, so I assume you approve of her!) and your son is happy and healthy - you're head and shoulders ahead of many parents who have to settle for sub par daycare. But if you really don't like it, remove your child from her care. Just know that you will NEVER find a caretaker better than you for your child, and no one can ever be you or recreate how you would care for your little one.

I have an almost 3 year old. She watches an hour of educational TV in the morning after she wakes up, 30 mins-1 hour in the afternoon sometimes ( usually when shes not at preschool and we are stuck inside), and some before bed (sometimes more, sometimes less). She tests off the charts academically, and reads very simple "Dick and jane" type words and books. She is socially,emotionally, and physically normal in every way, and loves preschool twice a week. She writes her own name, counts and does her abcs in and out of order in english and spanish, counts backwards and forwards to 20 in english, to 10 in spanish - knows shapes, basic and complex, all of her colors - blah blah blah. Despite her tv viewing, I am with her and monitoring her every moment she is not at preschool, and all of that enrichment allows her to be academically advanced. She is the poster child for proper TV watching habits. LOL. I watch with her, we talk about what is going on, and have a great time (sesame street is our ALL TIME FAVORITE, especially the vintage stuff for me).

So anyway - this is a long response. I am just aburst with information on this subject. Having worked in special ed nearly my entire career, I have NEVER seen a child with a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD caused by excessive television viewing, much less having it on in the background. It is neglect, lack of caregiver attention and proper care, lack of parental interaction, or an absence of tv viewing limits that may contribute to poor behavior or a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD. You are overreacting JUST a tad much here :) Trust me, let the little things like this slide because know that what is yet to come as your infant gets older is FAR more complicated than simple TV background noise!

Hi S.,
The fact that you are even worried about it is a great start. I think most American families just leave the TV on and don't think about it. The answer is, it depends on how you want your home. I grew up with a TV in every room. Looking back on it, I think it was unhealthy-not as unhealthy as being abused, or going hungry, but TV is definitely something that affects concentration and development of the brain. There have been many studies done on TV and brain development. Some say it is fine, others say it is really unhealthy. My personal feeling is that the TV should be on only when a specific program is on, and all other times should be off so that the family members can relate to each other, rather than "the box". My husband and I have decided on a no TV home for our daughter, and we only put on the TV for videos. Our daughter is very young still, so we know we face a battle ahead. Anyway, good luck with whatever decision you make.

I dont thiks is bad. As long as the shows that r on are educational. like pbs . My daughter who is 6 does the same thing. but she is in the top of her first grade class. i think they like the background noise. Dont worry i think as long as the tv is being monitered on what they watch then its ok.

Oh my goodness YES! I do not want to hurt your feelings, especially since I've been where you are. Children's imagination and deep play can not grow in a room with a television on. There have been many studies showing that television also interferes with learning. Television is 100% passive (even Dora the Explorer and Blues Clues). Pick one to three shows a day that your child really, really can't stand not to watch and then turn off the television. If it is play time and the adult wants to watch TV; then seperate the two. Child in the bedroom playing contentedly, adult in the living room with sound low watching contentedly while checking on child every so often. As you've noticed your self, your child will interrupt his play to watch television for a few moments then return to play. This is not supporting the development of sustained play or growing attention span both of which are needed in school for later development. I really hope this helps. Take care and best wishes for you and yours, Angi

I personally like TV myself, but it is probably too much TV. Study shows that kids under 2 shouldn't watch any TV, because it effects their vocabulary development. I know that no TV is not reasonable, because TV gives parents (including myself) a much needed break. I do limit my daughter to an hour a day, and she usually is not interested in it that long anyway.

It sure is a different world today than when we were wee. I got 1/2 an hour of supervised TV a night, and, if we did all our chores all week, 1/2 a can of soda on the weekend. It is a proven fact that we model behaviour that we see. Is every show that is on (not just actively watched) teaching good, kind, loving behaviour? No.

When I was young, if we got bored or restless, we got shoved out the door and told to "go play". We cant do that as readilly today, but the concept still holds true; learn to entertain yourself and you will build creativity and inventiveness and be a better more rounded human. Isn't that what we want for our kids?

I have cable but have been known to have it shut off for months at a time so we can remember how to act and interact without the Boob Tube.

On the other end of the scale, if you limit the channels they are allowed to watch ( a friend of mine was only allowed Discovery and National Geographic) like Noggin where there are no commercials, it can be ettifying. My son learned his ABC's from Blues Clues when he was 2.

This is too much T.V. Get up with your son in the morning and don't turn on the television and see what happens. You can sing songs instead:)

This morning my nearly 3yr old came into the living room (where yes, the tv was on, football) pretending to play a flute. She had the fingering down perfectly. My mom who was over asked how on earth she knew that, and I told her it was from "Little Einsteins" her favorite show. She has watched (commercial free) kids shows all her life, PBS and Disney. She isn't too much into any of the movies, more interested in her old fav's like Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She knows all about the moon, mars and the other planets, pointed out sand dunes on a recent road trip, is curious about everything! She has a fantastic imagination, will tell stories to her "friends" -her dolls, stuffed animals etc. in her room for HOURS on end, her vocabulary is way advanced and she uses so many descriptive words (properly), she is so articulate and smart, you can have a convo. w/her and you forger you are talking to a baby!
My husband and I are tvholics. I have to admit we have it on all the time. My daughter has "her shows" and also loves to watch tv. But she would choose to play outside 100% of the time over tv, she plays in her playroom by herself or with us, we read 3 stories and a "make-up story" (we make one up and then she does) every night.

My point is this: we are totally a tv watchin' family, but it depends on the situation, child, and other interactions your child is getting. I have never felt tv was detrimntal to her, as a matter of fact I think it has helped her imagination and taught her a lot *Ducking while being "booed" for that one!* She can count to 20 and beyond, she can "read" her favorite books back to us (via memorization) has known her colors for at least a year, can recognize the letters in the alphabet and can write her own name, points out letters everywhere...I'm not trying to tout my daughter's "brilliance" just pointing out that she is a contradiction to all the negative aspects of tv watching.

You know your own kid, do what feels right to you. When and if mine ever turns down a visit to the park or a teaparty with mom for tv, I will re-adjust her habits and mine. Until then...viva tv!!

It probably isn't terrible, depending on what's on the TV. One thing that crosses my mind is why is it on all day and what is your sister doing? Is she really watching your child or is she just there watching TV, while he plays by himself.
My recommendation is to have some good chidren's music available and ask her to use that part of the day, maybe suggest some children's TV progamming, tapes or DVDs that you'd like her to sit and watch with your son, and set up a plan for her to take the boy outside in the yard for playtime for a certain amount of time each day. Then suggest that there should be at least an hour or two (can be in half-hour increments even) of no noise in the house so he can just play freely without all the background noise. It will actually do all of you good to have a varied schedule and periods of no TV.

My daughter has learned so much from TV. It's amazing. I use to be against TV for children. However, since I've had my youngest I've changed my mind. We make sure she watches learning programs. She's learned some dance steps from Barbie and Dora. She's learned manners and how to be a good friend from Strawberry Shortcake, Miss Spider and the Doodlebops. Dora has helped her with counting and shapes.

We've also been letting her play on the computer since she was 2. (She's 4 now.) She has amazing computer skills. She goes to websites for the TV shows that she likes and plays their learning games.

We have three televisions and five people in our house. One TV or another is on at any given time throughout the day.

As long as your little guy is still active and still learning I wouldn't worry about it.

S.

You've gotten some great input here, I want to say kudos to you to ask a question! My kids somedays watch too much (though limited to Sprout, Noggin & sometimes Disney), but even if it is educational, it can still be too much. Other days I think I get it right! But turning it off completely and telling them to go get a toy/go outside or best yet, interacting myself with them more is better for all of us. I get to be here with my 5, but when I hire someone, I cannot control all of what they do, that has to be taken into consideration as well. Your sister, bless her for coming into your home to watch your son! Have you discussed this with her? Maybe if you went and picked up some new 'auntie toys' or games that are special to encourage them to interact without the tv??? Or picked up some pre-school or craft materials to help them interact? Just throwing out some ideas that we have on hand and try to put into play and get them off the constant bomabardment of images and marketing.
Take care, I'm confident you will do what is right for your family.
D.

Here's a link to a website (one of many) on the link between TV watching and the development of ADHD by age 7.

http://www.whitedot.org/issueiss_story.asp?slug=ADHD%20To...

Yes, too much TV. Your son may not be actively watching, but his sub conscious is picking up EVERYTHING!!! I too grew up with my mom watching TV all the time, but the shows that were on at that time were different than what's on TV now. The media is much more sexualized and violently realistic.

OMG YES - all day TV is too much!! TV is a bad influence on behavior for children. They mimic the cartoon characters and the disrespect that goes on TV today. When your child starts being rude and rough and disrepectful and you wonder why, it's the TV.

My husband and I.....

Maybe you do have the TV on too much?

S.,

I have two girls with learning disabilities. One is 19, the other is 11. My older daughter watched very little tv. We lived in an active neighborhood and she played outside most of the time. My youngest daughter has been exposed to much more tv, being the youngest of 3 children. Both girls have very similar learning issues. They both have ADD, high cognitive thinking skills and auditory processing. The results for both of them is difficulty taking notes, retaining information and general focus.

We have a friend that just came home from being on the mission field 13 years with his family in Papua, New Guinea. They have never owned a television and had limited video games and movies. They came home because their youngest was struggling in school on the field. He has very similar issues as our girls. Very high cognitive thinking skills, with auditory and focus issues. I have always wondered (even though there are no conclusive studies that TV causes learning issues) if TV had an impact. It was a relief to talk to our friend and find out that his son has never really watched TV.

J.

I am surprised at some of the responses in regards to the TV being so OK. Everything in moderation. My daughter watches TV too but it is limited and the content is carefully chosen by my husband and I.

Having the TV on all day is absolutely distracting your son from his developing creative play. Another question is what is on the TV all day, is it really appropriate for him to watch? Sometimes there might be a show that is OK but the commercials are not.

It's not good to have the tv on that much. It's also a big waste of electricity. There have been studies linking heavy tv watching to problems later. I would stop the tv completely if possible and if not, 1-2 hours per day max. Our pediatrician agrees with this. Your sister should help you find healthy ways to help keep your son active and amused throughout the day. He would benefit from some physical activity, probably would sleep better too. Your sister is setting the stage for problems ahead. They should play games, learn and explore new things, read, talk, do arts and crafts, go to the park, play ball, etc. TV is pure garbage for kids. If I could take one thing back that I did as a new parent many years ago, I would have cut back TV to 1 hour per day, and would have gotten rid of certain TV channels that make your child think they can be a famous actor. These shows are plain junk. The promote being popular and being overly picky about fashion too. Best of luck to you.

I'm a little curious about how old your son is, but my guess is yes, that's too much television. Apart from the content (which is in itself huge), my personal belief is that TV offers too much pre-composed stimulation, meaning that children don't need to learn to amuse themselves. It's also just a lot of a certain kind of noise all day long. If you sister can manage it, I'd say have her turn off the TV for most of the day. Good luck!

all day? yes, absolutley that is too much tv. you may want to reconsider who is watching your child if the tv is on all day...no one, not even adults should have the tv on all day. talk to your sis and show her where the park is.

Hi S.:

Watching TV isn't THAT BAD. It also depends on what your son is watching. Some shows could be educational...My 2 boys watch about 5-7hrs a week..mostly between Friday-Sundays and we have them do more "activites" whether it's playing ball or reading. I would prefer children to do other "activites" besides watching TV. Hope this helps.

Yes, too much TV.

Garbage in, garbage out. That's what we're doing to, and going to get from, our kids who are exposed to the junk on TV all day long.

In my house we have NO TV channels, the only thing our TV is used for (and it's on plenty, really!) is for movies and as a videophone.

Get KID-friendly movies. As an added benefit - NO COMMERCIALS! Kids not gonna find more things each day that they "HAVE to have" for Christmas.

If your sister wants the background noise, use a radio or stereo. (I just have my favorite music compiled into one long playlist that I play off my computer.)

Breaking the TV addiction will be hard but after a while, you'll go somewhere and see it on and be shocked at the junk that you used to invite into your home all day long.

One more thing. The TV or computer screen BOTH have an addictive quality (yeah, I'm addicted to the darn computer screen too) and when my son gets too much of either, he then becomes most awfully uncooperative and just totally unpleasant to be around. So as a consequence for that kind of behavior, TV/computer time is OFF, for a few days if needed. After a day or two of extreme crankiness and unpleasantness and whiny-ness, he then becomes a wonderful sweet self-entertaining & more imaginative child, more willing to help and do things with me. Then oddly enough, he will actually not ask for his hour of tv/computer time, because he's enjoying the other things more.

Hi S.,

You should turn off your t.v. and put on children's music so you and your child will sing and dance. My children only watch 1 hr of tv each day. 30. min so I can shower and 30. min. when I cook dinner.

Good Luck
M.

Sounds like the TV is used for background noise. Most people are very uncomfortable with silence which is why I decided to make sure that my daughters are exposed to silence for awhile every day. When we want background noise, we use the radio, children's CD's or even the music cable channels. This way, I can expose them to different types of music. At two and a half, both girls love country, jazz, and classical. They really love the Broadway show tunes because I sing along and dance. We make it part of our play time.