Television No More?
I'm afraid I don't have very good news. I thought it was OK to allow my 17-month-old son to watch a little bit of television, but then I found a report on the Nemours Foundation Web site that contends it is not.
Not exactly what this working mother wants to hear.
Ever since Hendrick started waking up at the crack of dawn I have been allowing him to watch "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Curious George" or "Sesame Street" while I rest for another 30 to 40 minutes. I work nights, so those extra minutes in the morning are a big deal.
And, besides, he's safe in the playpen next to my bed and watching something kid-friendly and commercial-free. Is that really so bad?
Experts differ on when it's acceptable to begin watching educational programs and how much young children should watch. Some argue it may only train them to become future couch potatoes while others contend it helps them learn language quicker.
Upon the advice of our adoption social worker, I started Hendrick out with 20 minutes per day, or one Baby Einstein video while strapped in his little chair. He was captivated, and I used that time to take a quick shower or make an important call or fix a meal. (So many chores, so little time...)
Sometimes, a mom really needs those extra minutes. Because, if your household is like mine, once we walk out of that bedroom our day is nonstop action - spills, thrills and spine-chilling moments when I discover my son attempting some new death-defying feat either at the kitchen table or the playground.
Maybe it's wrong, but I often think the time Hendrick spends in front of the TV is the only time during his waking hours that he is completely safe. And the only time of the day when I can breathe easy.
For information on appropriate structured activities for your toddler, check out the foundation's Web site, particularly this article:
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/fitness/general/active_toddler.html
Not exactly what this working mother wants to hear.
Ever since Hendrick started waking up at the crack of dawn I have been allowing him to watch "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Curious George" or "Sesame Street" while I rest for another 30 to 40 minutes. I work nights, so those extra minutes in the morning are a big deal.
And, besides, he's safe in the playpen next to my bed and watching something kid-friendly and commercial-free. Is that really so bad?
Experts differ on when it's acceptable to begin watching educational programs and how much young children should watch. Some argue it may only train them to become future couch potatoes while others contend it helps them learn language quicker.
Upon the advice of our adoption social worker, I started Hendrick out with 20 minutes per day, or one Baby Einstein video while strapped in his little chair. He was captivated, and I used that time to take a quick shower or make an important call or fix a meal. (So many chores, so little time...)
Sometimes, a mom really needs those extra minutes. Because, if your household is like mine, once we walk out of that bedroom our day is nonstop action - spills, thrills and spine-chilling moments when I discover my son attempting some new death-defying feat either at the kitchen table or the playground.
Maybe it's wrong, but I often think the time Hendrick spends in front of the TV is the only time during his waking hours that he is completely safe. And the only time of the day when I can breathe easy.
For information on appropriate structured activities for your toddler, check out the foundation's Web site, particularly this article:
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/fitness/general/active_toddler.html
Labels: television
1 Comments:
I don't think that it is a bad thing for our little ones to watch some television. My son, Alex loves Dora and she reinforces the learning of numbers that we have been doing since he was only months old.
I'm sure both our moms let us watch Sesame Street and we turned out fine, right? I am not going to beat myself up over this issue. I work 3 days/ week and I feel guilty enough about that!
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