How much TV is O.K during the day for a 2 year old?

[sharanb]

I was wondering what peoples thoughts are on LO watching TV during the day? My Tv is all almost all day. Lewis isn't always watching it as we play but it is always on in the back ground. Should I turn it off and put some music on??? I hate no sounds, have to have something on. how much TV do other people let their LO watch?  I would say that Lewis will watch about 2 1/2 hours of programmes a day.

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

I think it's a very personal thing, one where you find your own comfort level. It also depends what's on the tv - we switch the tv on in the morning (CBeebies), and I leave it to ds to decide when it goes off (I taught him how to switch it off quite early). Sometimes that means it'll be on in the background all day while we hang out, or sometimes he'll switch it off half an hour later, and ask to do something. I only switch it off myself when we are either eating or reading books, when I don't want the distraction

[*Mona*]

I allow dd watch tv in the morning [a cartoon channel for small children, sth like Cbeebies] as we're both in a hurry with dh before going out to work, than her nanny comes and they watch cartoons for the next half an hour or so. than when I'm back from work I put a dvd on for her [Czech 'Krtek' she loves it and always asks for it], some 30 min and that's it.
I don't like to have tv in the background for myself so don't leave it on for dd too.
but yeah, it's a personal thing and I think that as long as tv is an addition and not the main thing, IYKWIM, it's fine.

m

[em_here]

We have the tv in the background too...... not sure if its a good thing but I also need the background noise, unfortunately ds ends up gazing at it, so when that happens I put on the music channel and we have a dance! Or if he really gets in a trance i do switch it off and stick on the radio

[Samuel's mum]

At 2 I'm guessing Sam had something like 45 minutes a day. But I wasn't clock-watching - it might be more or less depending what he was watching. It was usually early in the morning or when I was cooking dinner. And I don't say 'TV off, that's enough' but just offer other things.

He only watches specific recorded programmes though or DVDs.

I probably wouldn't want all day as some activities (specifically reading, singing, rhyme) would be tricky with that distraction. I think if you personally struggle with quiet it might not be a bad thing if occasionally you give your LO an opportunity to break that cycle and come to see peace and quiet as a positive thing. But then I was brought up a Quaker so perhaps I put a peculiar emphasis on peace. You could always have an ear piece with music in one ear if it's too hard for you!

When they are learning the art of conversation and speech I think it can be valuable if they can focus completely on what you are saying.

Don't get me wrong - I think some kid's telly is brilliant and really useful to extend life experiences and give opportunities for talk and stories. But switching it off can be brilliant too.

[skatty]

I reckon Leorah watches a lot of tv most days and always the same dvds  She is very active and we are mostly out in the garden or on walks or playing in her bedroom so when we are in and I have things to do I let her watch a dvd, she is usually playing or climbing while it's on anyway. She only watches dvds in english as we live in Denmark so I don't put a limit on it as one day she will be hearing danish all the time and hardly any english. I really think it's a personal choice too, I know that we do a lot of outdoor time and play so even if she sits and watches a dvd at least she winds down a bit. Leorah has been scared by stuff on the tv before so I am more concerned about having inappropriate stuff on, even the news sometimes so while she's up it's all kids stuff though if it's a rainy day and she is very involved in playing in her camp under the table I may watch Oprah if there's nothing that could be scary on it (that includes men with deep laughs!)

[Mum to cool dude]

We have TV at quiet time and at the end of the day before the bedtime routine. Anything more than 30 min and I start to feel bad about him watching. So I warn that when the story is over, the TV is off, which rarely goes down well.

[linfran]

DS aged 26mo doesn't really watch TV but we sometimes put DVDs on the computer for him such as Barney, Bob the Builder or Fireman Sam, which he loves.  It means he isn't watching all the ads and I don't have to keep checking what he's watching.  It also means he knows when it's getting to the end of the story and he'll say "Barney (or Bob or Sam) bed!" so he knows it's being switched off.

[Diegos Mama]

I've essentially phased out television watching (to offer the other side of the coin).  I never watch it during the day, it's off.  The boys have virtually stopped watching children's programming.  They may watch a sports game, or occasionally a cooking show with me.  My children are older (six and going on four) and I've noticed an AMAZING difference in both their behavior, attention span, and willingness to engage in imaginative play that they initiate alone.  Especially for my almost four year old, it's been just stunning.  Now that they're used to it being off, they fill up their day playing, coloring, imagining, and creating, and my six year old sits to play piano two to four times a day on his own. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics has some guidelines for TV viewing by age I believe -- that may be more comforting that my drastic approach!

[laurenhendo]

Hey there
We usually have Baby Einstein on in the background during the day. My lo is mostly playing and often leaves the loungeroom for a wander around the house and then comes back to watch a bit later. We always have it on during breakfast and lunch though, because my lo is such a wriggler it's hard to feed her without her trying to climb out of her highchair and the tv is a great distraction...although i do sometimes feel bad about it and plan on getting a few Wiggles CD's so we can just have music sometimes too.

LH

[mum101]

I am the same as you, I dislike absolute quiet in the home.  However I think I'm gradually changing!

Since Rory has been born, I've always had the TV on during the day with my shows until she was old enough to want her own.  We went through a stage where she would be watching quite a lot.

I think it was probably the best value when DD was 1-2, when I'd need to do other things in the house and she simply wouldn't want to entertain herself while I worked.  Now I let her watch more TV on those days when i am just so tired being pregnant. 

I decided recently that Wednesdays were TV, computer and phone free days.  They are really good, and all 3 of us are happy with the change. Where we used to turn to the TV on to entertain us (and in all honesty weren't sure how to entertain ourselves!) we now happily doing other things. We all cook together, make a slice, go the library at night, go out to dinner or just all read.  It's actually really fun!

Now I actually turn the TV on, realise how much crap is on and how often I settle for some show just to entertain me, and I end up turning it off... and actually enjoying the silence.

After everything settles after bub is born, I plan to increase the TV free days, and importantly make a point to watch less on the other days.  I really think it's a trap I've fallen into, thinking I need the TV to entertain me.  Actually I end up feeling quite bored and numb, but didn't realise that until I turned it off!  LOL

[Diegos Mama]

mum101 - I've found the radio to be a good substitute for the "company" TV provides.  I will often have on NPR or a BBC broadcast, or just some good ole music on my IPOD.

[parluvbug]

my DS is 4mo and watches tv while we are hangin out in the living room (we only have 1 tv and it's plenty!) - i don't actually think he can comprehend that he is watching tv - i think just the sounds and movement excite him! lol

[M and N's Mom]

DD is allowed 1h a day.  She sits glued to it and the world could explode around her when it is on and she wouldn't notice so I don't want it preventing her from reading and being creative.

DS doesn't like to watch much, so even when I want him to watch (trying to make dinner or in an especially whiny mood) he won't for more than 15 min 

[Lissybits]

Well, when we were kids, the TV went on only for specific programmes and if we couldn't tell Dad (it wasn't Mum ) what we were watching, the box was switched off!

Now, I personally think this is a good stragedy. I think it's better to have music as background noise, then to have the TV playing away to itself ALL day.

That said, I do use English DVDs (we're in Greece) to 'baby sit' DS when I'm preparing lunch in the mornings cos he just wants to  'help' all the time. He probably only sits still for about 30 mins before he comes to find me
And we usually put it on again when he wakes up from his nap while he's eating his fruit. That gives me enough time to have a coffee and check BW in peace .

I don't feel guilty about the amount of TV DS watches as we always go out for at least 2 hours in the morning, whether it be for a walk or to the beach and DH always takes him somewhere in the afternoons too - so he has plenty of stimulation elsewhere.

Again, it's a personal choice, but I don't think it should take the place of playing and doing other things.
Lis