Toddlers and Television

In my last post I mentioned that Jamie has become quite aware now of the Television; loving 'In the Night Garden' and some of the other shows on CBeebies www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/ It is a great temptation to just sit him in front of the TV and leave him; while I go off and do something else, but I am aware that that is not a good thing for Jamie. I have started to limit TV to a couple of Night Gardens a day and perhaps half an hour more of something else if he (or mummy) needs a quiet time!!

I must say however, that in the last week or so Jamie has been going to bed without much trouble at all. We have been watching the Bedtime Hour on CBeedies; while he has his bedtime milk. He then goes off to his cot without much fuss at all (touch wood this will continue!).

Tips regarding TV use (from www.bounty.com/toddler/2-years/toddlers-and-television?WT.mc_id=50002) :

* Be in charge of what they watch right from the start. Watch TV with them so you can talk about the programme together, then switch it off.
* Choose programmes made for their age group, those with lots of activity for them to copy and the repetition that they love at this age.
* Don’t let them watch more than an hour a day.
* Don’t get into the habit of using the TV as a ‘babysitter’ while you catch up on the housework or make a phone call.

* Despite the worry about the pester-power effect of ads on impressionable youngsters, under-sevens don’t really recall the specific brands they see in TV commercials. But they do ask for more toys than children who don’t watch much commercial television. So if you’d prefer your toddler’s first words not to be ‘I want’ then stick with CBeebies, or record other channel’s programmes so that they can watch at a time that suits you, and fast forward through the ads.

One of the responses from a mum I thought was worth while highlighting and that was:
Every moment our kids spend watching a favorite program is a moment they don’t spend reading a book, or socializing with friends, or exercising outside. It’s a moment they don’t spend practicing an instrument or drawing a picture. To much TV can lead to them growing up to fast, behaviour problems, only wanting what they see on tv i.e food, toys etc.

So, I must endeavour (while still at home full time) to ensure that Jamie's days are full and varied and TV only makes up a small percentage of the day!