So I was reading one of the "mommy blogs" I follow and today's entry was 20 things to do besides let your kid watch tv. The opening paragraph included the opinion that tv "can easily suck away imagination, energy, and the innocence of our kids."
IN MY OPINION, oh my goodness no. Granted, this all depends on what you let your kids watch. If I just left Nickelodeon on all day, I think I would deserve to have sarcastic, back-talking kids. But since I limit their tv-watching to PBS kid shows that emphasize vocabulary and problem solving, or Noggin shows that talk about ecological and cultural diversity (yes, that would be Go Diego Go), I'm often surprised by my kids' insights. One of their favorites is PBS' WordGirl, which emphasizes words like "incognito" or "redundant" and defines them correctly, multiple times, throughout the episode. And it sinks in! The Eldest may not use "incognito" in her everyday conversation, but she knows what it means when I use it. (She's even called me on being redundant before. I may have stuck my tongue out her, being the mature adult that I am.) And through the miracle that is the DVR, we have these shows recorded for the kids so that they aren't limited to whatever is currently showing.
As for tv sucking away my kids' imagination, I wonder what the blog's author would think if she could listen in on my kids' fantasy play for a day. They use the stories they've watched as launchpads for their own adventures, taking turns being the "hero" and saving the day. (I did have to teach them that it's not fun for one person to always be the bad guy. My youngest brother probably knows that all too well.) But the play is not restricted to just what they've seen on tv--right now I have Miss Bubbly as a cowgirl sitting on the couch getting ready for her first day at school. The Eldest is playing her mother.
The energy used in this imaginative play is astounding--there's lots of running and flying about, jumping over obstacles and climbing up bedframes. It's more energy than I can bear to endure sometimes in our small apartment. As for innocence, I'm not concerned. I watch the shows with the kids (unwillingly sometimes, but I do watch!) and I'm pleased with them. We've even had a good discussion on why Wordgirl has to keep her secret identity a secret from her parents to protect them from the bad guys and how that's different from lying to get away with something. We often have opportunities to discuss characters making good choices versus bad choices and the consequences. Since the kids are in the midst of learning how to make good choices, these are very helpful discussions.
So, Ms. Oxenreider, tv is not evil. Used responsibly and wisely, television programming can enrich our children's educations and imaginative play. But the responsibility lies with the parent to direct their child's tv viewing, to be involved with it, and to keep it to reasonable limits (two hours a day seems to be the right amount for my kids--one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. It's usually less, since I fast forward through commercials/promotional material/boring credits).
And now I shall step off my defensive soapbox and listen as my cowgirl/doctor gives her sister an insulin shot and some immunizations. I should also say that Ms. Oxenreider's list of indoor activities is pretty fantastic and a good resource. But I get so tired of the "tv is evil and rots your brain" position that I find myself needing to argue back every once in a while.
8 comments:
Thanks for validating my parenting style, Karie! I agree with your sage wisdom!
I agree. I find that if I tell my kids that they can only watch shows without commercials, they avoid the "big kid" shows and stick with Playhouse Disney and Noggin and things I've recorded for them. No one can tellme there's anything wrong with Max and Ruby or Toot and Puddle!
I agree with you on this! In fact, Whitney's vocabulary exploded when I started letting her watch more TV during my first trimester. (They were watching WAY too much at that point--but you do what you have to when you're getting through those first few months...) It can definitely be a bonus when it's used in the right way.
Actually, I agree. I agree tons. I used PBS for my sanity - and for real education - mathnet and 3-2-1 contact (why don't they sell these shows now so people can still use them, eh?) and anybody who knows my grown-up kids would NEVER say their imaginations had been sucked out.
Right on! I totally agree.
Great post, Karie! Thanks for reminding me that t.v. does not have to equal guilt. And despite the t.v. bashing, thanks for the link to that blog - it's a treasure trove!
Amen, sister!
THANK YOU. My mother is in the "TV is evil!!!" crowd and hates that I let my kids watch Nick Jr. and Disney cartoons. And yet, when I asked if there were ANY evidence of it being detrimental in any way, particularly to PW who has had five years of exposure to it, she couldn't produce a single example of it having taken its toll on her mind at all. I let them watch the educational stuff like Little Einsteins and Dora/Diego, and let them have fun with SpongeBob. PW is one of the most non-sedintary, creative, talkative kids I know, and she has the attention span of a grown adult, if not more so when it comes to schoolwork. That kid will sit there for hours doind it if I let her. How is TV hurting again?
Post a Comment