Do you think it’s a good idea for babies to watch videos? This was the question posed by Parenting/AOL. In the September 2005 issue of Parenting, the results were posted from the over 40,000 respondents. 67% felt it was okay for babies to watch videos, while 33% felt it was wrong.
Here’s how I feel about the matter. Had I been one of the respondents I would have voted yes. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a young child watching videos or TV, in moderation and provided a parent or other caregiver sits and interacts with the child during the viewing. I don’t feel the parent should plop the kid down in front of the TV and leave them there sitting alone for hours on end. And I feel the videos and programs they watch should be high quality educational programs. There are such a vast array of these programs to choose from, I couldn’t even begin to list them all.
I have allowed Tyler to watch videos and children’s TV programs since Day 1. He turns six in November and he’s a highly intelligent child who reads extremely well for his age. He can add and subtract simple numbers. He knows how to spell his first, middle and last name. He can spell my name and knows my cell phone number. Can write his ABC’s, numbers to 100 and on and on. The point is, most of the things he knows he has known for 2-3 years, all while watching videos and TV. Oh, did I mention he can carry on an intelligent adult conversation?
Don’t get me wrong, I was very selective about what he watched when he was younger. Old time favorites like Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers and new ones like Barney, Arthur and Reading Rainbow. When he was very young, I sat down and watched ALL the programs with him. I discussed and reinforced concepts that he had just watched. As he got older, I would say I sat with him and watched most of the programs with him and when I wasn’t in the room I was never really out of earshot. Today, I allow him to watch both educational programs and some just for fun. And while I may not agree with some of his choices (My Gym Partner Is a Monkey, Spongebob, for instance) I feel he needs some entertainment in his life also. He spends a lot of time on academic work and I don’t see anything wrong with him having a laugh. I do however limit the amount of time he watches TV during the school week. On weekends I am not as rigid. The thing is most times he chooses NOT to watch TV, opting to read a book or do an experiment or color or draw. Sometimes he just wants to run through the house pretending that he’s a Power Ranger. And that’s okay too.
For some great suggestions on Childrens’ Books and Videos that you can trust with your kids, visit the Families.com Media Reviews Blog!