When Abby was born in 2003, I received a couple of the Baby Einstein videos at my shower. I actually had never heard of them before. When she was a few months old I decided to put one of the videos on to see what her reaction would be. The video got her attention and held it for a little while. I was excited because it gave me some time to get a couple of things done around the house. She would always get the biggest grin on her face when the video would begin.
At no time did I believe that a video would make her smarter. I also did not believe it would make her less smart. Come on people, the development of our children is dependent on a variety of factors. Don't get me wrong. If you park your child in front of the television constantly and don't provide other forms of stimulation and experiences...well let's just say that's not good for little Sally or Johnny.
My motto on most things is "Everything in moderation". I certainly have no problem with parents who don't allow tv before the age of 2 years. As parents we do the best we can. I try to make good choices for my children, but television is just not a big concern for me. Abby has put in plenty of hours with Dora and the Backyardigans (my personal favorite). Right now it's more about iCarly and Hannah Montana. She's managed to be placed in an advanced kindergarten class and is doing quite well, according to the report card she brought home this week. She also spends a great deal of time on the computer....*gasp*. I also take her to dance and piano once a week. She loves drawing and spending time with the dog, cats, and guinea pigs.
I guess my point is that we need to be careful about making blanket statements about anything. Our kids are all individuals and we know them best. Letting your baby watch a video is not going to make him or her a genius, but I don't buy that it's harmful either. Expose you're baby to lots of sounds, sights, and smells. Talk to your baby, hold your baby, and kiss your baby. Pick your baby up when she cries and comfort her.
And if you want to put on a video while you make dinner...go for it.
Church Kids
2 days ago
2 comments:
My problem with videos, tapes, and TV for entertainment of little ones is that it is rarely that. It is really more free time for mom and pop--stick the kid in front of the tube. My kids didn't watch a lot of TV and when they did, I watched with them. I learned early on that one half hour show was more than enough and then they got crabby and bored. I can proudly say that my kids have not seen many of the Disney movies that so many parents just buy and throw their kids in front of thinking that they are "good if they are Disney".
I completely agree with you. I've never had a "no TV rule" because I figured I'd see what life was like first! So, I bought a Baby Einstein DVD when my son was 5 months old and he watched it for a month or two but then once he started crawling he has cared less about TV. He's now 18 months old and even if I turn on cartoons, he'll glance for 30 seconds and then take off running and climbing. I am 100% sure that had he watched TV more there would not be a difference in his intelligence. It's all about what goes on in day-to-day life that counts. If you stick a baby in front of a TV rather than do anything else to stimulate him/her then of course they're going to be behind developmentally. But a child can also watch television and still be the most successful student in the class. I'm sure every child is different and so maybe some kids do need "the rule," but I actually wish my son would watch a DVD in our car when we visit my family 3 hrs away because he's always preferred me to entertain him but sometimes a mom has to take the easy way out for just a moment in order to have more energy and enthusiasm to be the best mom for all of the other minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years ahead!
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