TV watchers

I've got a question I haven't seen posted yet....my 4 1/2 mos old girls seem very drawn to the TV. Anytime its on (which is usually most of the day) they seem to crane their necks to look at it. I'm not usually watching but like to have it on for background noise. I try to face them away from the TV but undoubtedly if I leave them on the floor under their activity mat they somehow manage to scoot themselves or turn their neck so they are looking. Does anyone elses babies do this and is it bad for them to be "exposed" to so much TV? I read somewhere about an increase of ADD if they see to much?!

Thanks!!
Mom to Molly and Madeline (10/12/07)

 

When our girls started to look at the TV, we stopped leaving it on when they were awake. I have no idea if it really makes a difference at that age. I think the ADD thing is more related to actual TV watching (when they are old enough to really watch), rather than just gazing at the bright lights. But I figured it can't be particularly good for them, so I figured better safe than sorry. I also didn't want them to get in the habit of watching the TV for entertainment, even at that age -- I wanted them to learn to entertain themselves with their own hands and eyes and brains.

 

Megan,

My girls were also incredibly drawn to the TV at that age. We rarely have the TV on at our house while our kids are awake, but we put football games on during the weekend and the girls could barely do anything but stare at the screen. My mother is a professional early childhood educator (day care director, elementary school principal, consultant, you name it, she's done it). She has done TONS of research on the affects of TV and firmly believes that it is not good at all for developing brains.

There have been studies that show that babies under six months of age exposed to several hours of TV a day actually have fewer neural pathways. Language development is delayed, as are gross motor skills. Small children exposed to several hours of TV a day do have more ADD and ADHD than those who don't watch TV. As early as age three, children can recognize the brands portrayed on television and express an unconscious desire for those brands and colors.

I think TV is great for adults as a way to unwind at the end of the day. I'm not in favor of letting small kids watch TV on a regular basis, though. They need to be moving and exploring, not having their entertainment served to them on a flat screen. I completely understand that the TV is an easy and helpful way to get kids to sit still so we can clean and cook, but if you don't get your kids used to TV, they'll learn to entertain themselves. As for background noise, you could always leave the radio on...

 

When my girls were very little, they too loved the tv. So, I started putting it on the Disney channel. From 6am until 12pm the shows are all part of Playhouse Disney which are all shows geared towards preschoolers. The programs all have bright beautiful colors and most of the shows have music and songs. I have to admit that my girls are HUGE tv lovers but they have always only watched selected programming. A recent study (I saw on GMA or the local news, can't remember) shows that it's not how much tv a child watches but the quality of the programming. Cartoons like Sponge Bob or other fast paced programs seem to have a connection to ADD. Apparently, young baby's brains can't handle or process the fast paced shows properly. However, within their research, they found that children't who watched slower paced programs like Mickey Mouse Club House or Blue's Clues did NOT show signs of ADD.

TV watching is a very personal choice. For me, the girls love it and learn SOOOOOOO much from it. More than I could ever teach them alone (both my kids know their alphabet, numbers to 20, shapes, colors etc.). So I let them watch it when they want but they are not in front of the tv all day. They play, they watch they play the watch. I do turn it off at various times and put on music or just allow them to play without it.

 

I bought the planet earth series and sometimes I have that on in the background. Also, we watch Sunrise Earth on the discovery channel which is a show that has a camera placed in some location (a farm in Vermont, a beach in Hawaii etc.) and it just shows the sunrise in that location and records the ambient noise...birds, wind, etc. It's not much movement just a picture. I enjoy it.

I think all the cartoons are too fast paced...even the ones geared towards preschoolers. Just my opinion.

 

QUOTE(girls! @ Feb 26 2008, 06:29 PM) [snapback]641761[/snapback]
I bought the planet earth series and sometimes I have that on in the background. Also, we watch Sunrise Earth on the discovery channel which is a show that has a camera placed in some location (a farm in Vermont, a beach in Hawaii etc.) and it just shows the sunrise in that location and records the ambient noise...birds, wind, etc. It's not much movement just a picture. I enjoy it.


We love that too! We are also big fans of the Baby Einstein series! Everything in moderation...

 

If it's only the noise that you are craving, why not turn on the radio? My babes listen to either oldies or NPR all day long. They are already Elvis fans!

 

I turn the TV off when they are awake. They love the colors and noise from it. Each day we watch one baby einstin (or the fisher price version, cheaper) and they will sit and watch the whole show. Another consideration is learning to talk. THey say that it is harder for them to hear you and recognize sounds and learn to speak of tht tv (or other noise) is on all day.Use it when you need it and turn it off if you arn't watching. You will be amazed at what your babies have to say. Talk to them, sing to them they love it

 

My guys always watched some TV. They enjoyed things like Teletubbies and Wiggles from day one and we let them watch it. Now they sing the songs and dance to it.

 

When the girls were super tiny, we'd have the TV on because honestly taking care of two newborns is kind of boring (there I said it!), and I was too exhausted to read or do anything productive. Now that they are older though I keep the TV off. I hate the noise of it (maybe because my girls are noisy enough!), and they really do *stop* playing when its on. I put a DVD or disney channel on for them occasionally if I need a break or if they need to settle down (like when I'm getting dinner ready).

ETA: Some of those shows on playhouse Disney are super cute.. fav's around here (DH and me!) are Bunny Town and Charlie and Lola! Bunny Town reminds me of fraggle rock (I'm dating myself).

 

My girls also love the tv and I do keep it on. I have kid channels on like nick or I will throw a baby einstein or movie on, but we are always doing something else and if they happen to watch it for a few minutes then so be it.

 

Ok, ok, I'll turn the TV off...after Regis and Kelly though! Seriously, the input was helpful and the putting the radio on is a good suggestion. The girls are still so small when I need a break they are pretty content on their activity mat and were just starting to enjoy the exersaucer and jumpy thing. Thanks for the advice!!

 

I put Baby Einstein on when I am changing them or if they have been fussy all day and I just need a little break.