Toddler watching shows

Posted: Thu, Nov 17 2005, 6:16 pm Post subject: toddler watching shows

I recently decided to let my 27 month old boy watch some specific educational shows. I only let him down to the basement when that one is one, and he comes up on his own after 15 or 20 minutes longer. I dont make it an issue at all. when I find he is bored , I ask him if he wants to watch.
my question: should I sit with him on my lap and together watch, thereby showing him that mommy is okaying it, but its good together time, or do I just send him down a lone teaching him that its okay for a little, but not with mommy- making it a whole to do?

any thoughts would be appreciated..

p.s- I grew up watchign t.v. whener I wanted, I dont want that for my kids.. only specific times, for specific things, like the other day, a special on niagra falls, whcih we just visited or a special on penguins..
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Platinum Member Joined: Sep 11 2004 Posts: 19241

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 24 2005 Posts: 4689

I wouldn't let him watch TV out of sight unsupervised. ( actually, at that age I wouldn't let him do anything at all-- except sleep-- out of sight and unsupervised, but that's another issue.) what's to stop him from changing the channel?

Posted: Thu, Nov 17 2005, 9:00 pm Post subject: re: toddle watching shows

yes im okaying it for certain things at certain times... this question is really for those that do have a t.v in their house, im my case its a 10 year old hardly working hunk of wires in the basement....

Posted: Thu, Nov 17 2005, 9:01 pm Post subject: re: toddle watching shows

Chen, my son is usually fine by himself, as long as I can hear him... I trust him that he wont do anything bad.. hes pretty mature for his age.

Posted: Tue, Nov 22 2005, 9:34 am Post subject: re: toddler watching shows

I am also guilty of letting my kids watch certain shows when I need a break or they want to, but I always make sure I know what they are watching and whenever possible that I have watched it first. We also have a thing on our set that blocks anything without a G rating unless a special code is put in, something that my kids don't have access to and aren't old enough to do anyway. I also prefer videos to shows. They are big fans of Uncle Moishyand the likes. When showing them a DVD I try to do it on the computer b/c then I feel like they have a different association than with a TV.

Posted: Tue, Nov 22 2005, 10:03 am Post subject: re: toddler watching shows

sitting w/ him or letting him watch on his own. makes no difference in "okaying" the show. its nice to sit w/ him if you have the time. but be careful. once kids get used to watching, they want it more and more. and we tend to use it as a crutch/babysitter. as they get older, they learn to change channels etc. we have always had a vcr and monitor, and many times ive wanted to toss it out the (3rd floor) window. Surprised

personally, if/when I let them watch its so that I can have some time to get something accomplished!

Posted: Tue, Nov 22 2005, 3:36 pm Post subject: re: toddler watching shows

Shanie, I agree with you about not letting kids get too used to watching. Until recently, we had relatives living near us who actually made a parnossa from this entertainment industry. I found it very hard to limit my children's interest in shows, but now that the situation is different, so is their attitude. The only weekday that they get to watch (barring special circumstances or emergency) is Friday when I am very busy with erev shabbos prep. They also are limited to a max of two shows on sunday. They each pick one and thats it. They now view it as a privelage, and even though it is a break for me, they still have to earn it (cleaning up playroom, etc)
I still think that there is a lot to be learned from certain shows. We have a wonderful Elmo video that deals with fire safety and my children have learned all about it, even things that never occured to me to teach them. And no, my son isn't obsessed now with Elmo, he's just really into firetrucks!

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 30 2004 Posts: 3194

I also gre up only allowed to watch friday and sun never on a school night EVER. however shaynas child isnt a big kid who can watch whenever he wants even if you dont let him, hes little I think that you can let him watch whatever it is that you let him watch and if you have time sit with him if you need to do something and you trust him thats good too.

Posted: Fri, Dec 02 2005, 12:05 am Post subject: re: toddler watching shows

I don't think a 27 month old is really going to be able to change a channel to something they should not be watching during the day with what I am assuming only a select public broadcasting channels... I am assuming that there is no cable hooked up to this TV is the basement...

My boys love Videos rather then TV's ... maybe Torah Tots or something may be a better idea for you...

Televisions can be a good sorce of educational materials for children in todays everyday society when they are used as a tool.... sesame street is great.

Posted: Fri, Dec 02 2005, 12:18 am Post subject: re: toddler watching shows

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 24 2005 Posts: 4689

Gold Member Joined: Mar 08 2006 Posts: 1045

A little 4 year old girl from Flatbush died this week, bec. she touched the TV and it crushed her to death.

Be careful about letting your small children alone!

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 20 2004 Posts: 17151

Posted: Sun, Apr 30 2006, 11:38 am Post subject: re: toddler watching shows

I've seen it on the news ,too. Not sure where you'd find it though. It happened on Ave. M in Brooklyn

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 20 2004 Posts: 17151

I found it:

Posted: Wed, May 03 2006, 9:09 am Post subject: re: toddler watching shows

my 14m old easily changes the channel with the remote. I guess if u hide the remote and the TV is on a high stand that ur kid cant reach the buttons then u can be more sure he wont be changing the channel.

if he's watching the show so u can have a break or do a chore somewhere else in the house then all the child gains is entertainement an u get a babysitter for 10-15mins which is great.

but if u want ur child 2 get an educational benefit from the programme, like learning about niagra falls, u need 2 be sitting with ur toddler, discussing what u see. ur kid wont get smart from watching by themselves.