Are my preschoolers missing out on too much by NOT watching TV?

[HappyMommy2]

My sons are 4 and 2 and don't really watch any TV or videos. It's not that I have forbidden it--I just don't watch TV much myself so I don't think of turning the TV on for them. Plus they don't seem very interested. Someone gave us a Clifford video and they watched it once but didn't ask to watch it again. On a few occasions they have watched The Wiggles or Sesame Street, so I think if I turned those shows on each day they'd watch them, but they never ask to watch.

My parents limited my TV viewing when I was little, but I do have great memories of enjoying Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, and similar shows. Those shows (and some fine newer programs too) are educational and fun and are, to me, a part of American kid culture. I feel a little sad that my kids don't even know who Big Bird and Ernie and Barney are, and I wonder if I'm depriving them of some unique learning experiences that quality kids' TV programs offer. I'm sure that in just a few years I'll be telling my kids to turn off the TV, but for now I'm wondering if I should make a point of turning it on for them.

Thanks for any thoughts you can offer.

 

[CEDmom]

Have you thought of introducing popular characters through books, toys and games. DD doesn't watch Sesame Street but she knows the characters from several books we have. All the Playhouse Disney shows and Nick Jr. shows have books that tell the stories in the different TV episodes. If your children aren't interested in TV then I wouldn't push it on them. It's going to save you a lot of headache down the road.

 

[C.Ann]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Buy books instead..

 

[southernclass]

I think it is an excellent idea to limit TV. So many children today do nothing but watch tv and play video games instead of engaging with real people. No wonder they keep prescribing for ADHD. I think there is so much trash on tv today, they are not missing a thing. You can buy some good videos from a christian website or wherever. When my children were with me we ate supper at the table, well in their high chairs, but with my step daughter that is how it is. SHe use to come over and watch tv for hours and not even answer her father when he talked to her. She really has a listening problem. Now she is allowed two hours of tv on a movie we think is appropriate and the rest of the time we play games, go to the park, swim etc.

Kids need relationships with their parents not the tv.

 

[Planogirl]

TV isn't necessary IMO. My son used to watch Barney, Sesame Street and Mr Rogers regularly but I allowed it because he enjoyed it not so much not because I thought it was needed.

 

[Desnik]

My DD has always watched TV. She absolutely loves books too. From the time she was 2 we did story time at the local library and book store. I constantly was reading to her, still today. She loves her shows too. I do have to say she has learned alot from certain shows. She was also in school from 3yo. I like to think she has a nice balance of it all. She is a normal kid and at 6yo would choose playing outside over watching TV!! But, she loves watching movies at night before bed.

My DS is only 15mo and he gets mesmirized when the Wiggles and JoJo's circus is on. I guess it's the music and colors. I don't have him in front of the TV though. Just those 2 shows once a day, in the morning. I don't see it has harmful, or an advantage. Now when I try to read to him he screams!!LOL He rips the book out of my hands and throws it! Then grabs his truck and happily plays!!LOL

I do think it is nice for them to watch a good educational, fun show with singing and storytelling. I wouldn't want my kids to miss out on that. When I was a kid I watched Mr. Rogers, Romper Room, and such. I can still remember those shows and how much I enjoyed them! They were a part of my childhood.

 

[peg2001]

To be perfectly honest, most parents use children's television shows so they can have a break! I think it's great that your kids are not that interested. I certainly would not do anything to change that.

 

[missypie]

Yeah, they are missing out on the opportunity to bug you to death with "gimme this" and "gimme that." For a long time my kids only watched the shows on PBS...no commercials. At some point I lost control, however.

 

[disykat]

There will be plenty of time for tv later - or maybe never. Your kids will be better off for it IMO! We watched tv, but it was PBS only until they were in 1st and 3rd grade - when we got cable.

 

[Pooh93]

I applaud you. I am not a big TV watcher either and limit what my dd's watch. During the school year, I rarely turn the TV on until they are in bed. They are 8 and 6. They rarely even ask for it. On Friday nights, it is a special treat because they can pick out a movie and have "movie night." Now, it's summer and they'd just as soon be outside riding bikes, playing baseball etc. (which suits me fine, they are not couch potatoes) My dh on the other hand is a big TV watcher and when he's home it's the first thing he flips on. However, he works nights, so I have control of the remote during the week!

 

[Bob Slydell]

There are certainly some very good, educational, pre-school quality shows on TV these days, so that would be what they're missing. But if they're happy and content, stay the course.

 

[aprincessmom]

But if they're happy and content, stay the course.

ITA...don't worry about it. If they don't care about it and are happy doing other things, let them.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Another point of view and something you might want to consider. We limited our granddaughters television viewing to the point where in first grade, she was actually mocked and made fun of for her lack of knowledge about some of the popular shows the other kids watched.

She also still developed the "gimmes" due to the influence of the other children she met and played with in the neighborhood.

Still, I think she'll be fine with her limited tv time. Already I notice she plays outside far more than the neighborhood kids which is healthy for her little mind AND body!

 

[HappyMommy2]

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful input. C.Ann, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" definitely seems to be the best plan for my kids' lack of TV-watching right now. They ARE happy and content, though they're extremely active and I'm thinking an hour of peace during Sesame Street might be nice!

CEDmom (and whoever else said this), thanks for the suggestion of buying books that feature TV and movie characters. This is a great idea! The kids both love books--they even sleep with their favorite books in their beds!--so that would work well for them. I think I'll go stock up on a few Disney storybooks in anticipation of our upcoming WDW trip.

Thanks again everyone.