Young children watching TV........

[Sonak]

What's your views?

[4getmenot]

How young? and what tv? and how late?, all come into account really

[Sonak]

Hi 4getmenot

Well at what age do you think a child should watch TV?
i.e. children's channel which is aimed at their age group.

Is it educational? Whats the long-term effects?

[LoftyLottie]

Well, my son used to watch TV from a very young age (probably about 4/5 months) and loved all the programs with music! I don't think you can have a hard and fast rule about what age they watch what. As a parent though you should be aware of what they are watching, and watch it with them. I hate the fact that children are put in front of the TV to keep them quiet. I found that the TV programmes specifically for children were absolutely fine but it should be up to the parent what they watch and down to common sense.

The TV can be a great asset and we all, whether very young or very old, can enjoy it and learn alot from it as well.

[Hellyon]

I know that there is a school of thought that watching any TV is damaging but I think if you watch the TV with your children and talk to them about what they are seeing it is a very valuable tool. From about 6 months to 18 months my son and I watched Tellytubbies, we talked about it sang the songs and definitely his first two words 'Star' and 'Butter' for butterfly were as a direct result of identifying what he'd seen on the programme in real life. He started talking at 8 months and at his 1 year check when the midwife said he couldn't possibly be talking in sentences he promptly said 'I want a drink' ! So I don't think it harmed his development in any way. I will confess I occasionally used it to 'babysit' while I cooked dinner or ran the vacuum round but everything in moderation eh!
He's now 10 and hardly ever watches children's TV he watchs Braniacs, Top Gear, Dr Who, Springwatch and science, travel, nature programmes.

[LoftyLottie]

Likewise Hellyon. At 10 years old most children are far beyond the children's programmes!

I think we have all used the TV as a babysitter on occasions, but if you know what they are watching then that's just fine.

[Hellyon]

Oh and when he started school he used to come home shattered but didn't need/want a nap so I found half an hour watching TV a nice way for him to rest a bit and recharge his batteries.

[LoftyLottie]

TV is part of modern life and has a real place in the home. Like everything, used in moderation it's absolutely fine. I really don't have a lot of time for people who don't let their children watch TV or don't have one in the house at all, or say it is harmful. We all have the opportunity to switch it off if we want.

Not at all keen on kids having TV's (or computers) in their bedroom though!

[4getmenot]

I�d say things like C Beebies from whenever really, when very young they would love the music, but when toddler don�t just stick them in a chair infront of it but have it on in background, they can learn a lot from it. But I don�t agree with them constantly being sat infront of tv.

[LoftyLottie]

I would disagree with you there 4get. I don't think a television should be on in the background. In my opinion if it's not being watched then it shouldn't be on. I can't stand it when you go into homes and the telivision is on and no-one watching it.

[4getmenot]

I didnt mean it should just be on all the time. I mean while playing its good to have music on. I personally prefer children to be out in fresh air

[LoftyLottie]

Oh I see, how about CD's, tapes and radio instead of TV 4get! :o).

I just think it's nice for Mums to sit down with their little ones to watch the programmes. Nice for both of them.