3 Month Loves the TV ?!?

Please no TV! There have been studies done that suggest early television not only has the potential to lower a child's attention span but also slow the learning of verbal skills. Left alone, my son and then my daughter too, have always found other ways to play! I know a lot of moms see TV as that "much needed break" every day for them to get stuff done, but it truely does slow a child's learning instead of increase it. Instead, give your daughter a reasonable amount of toys (not too many or they get overwhelmed) to play with and see where his imagination leads to.

Everything a child or infant sees, hears, and touches affects their "living image" of the world that defines what everything is and should be. Don't let the television dictate what their world is like - let them touch and feel the real world instead, so they can develop their own understanding of it...

Please don't think I'm being harsh. Even *I* have allowed my kids to watch a Disney movie or two. But I do have a strong opinion on the television thing and know it's the right thing for my family.

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Everything that I've read says no tv for a child under the age of two, I do believe.

Personally I think tv should be limited for everyone in a home. I worked in a middle school for nine years and I can tell you there is a huge difference in those children who had no tv and those that do...and even those that have unlimited.

Television is a nice for entertainment...we all love it, but it is such a huge distraction to adults that could be doing better things with their time...reading to their kids, doing projects with their children, reading a book, doing home improvement and maintenance projects, showing their kids by example what it means to volunteer your time and efforts somewhere...

Then children that don't have tv are smarter, more creative, and, I think, better behaved.

Television is one of the biggest influences on our kids. If you don't believe that and you think you can counter-act what tv tells your kids by good parenting...then think about the millions and billions that are spent on television commercials by industries that know it has a direct influence on everyone that watches it. They wouldn't spend the money if it didn't work.

Turn it off and limit to when your little one is sleeping if you must watch it.

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I'm not against TV, in fact I LOVE it!

But, I personally don't like to let my boys watch TOO much of it - even as infants. Now, I will admit that my first son was a colicky-mess, so I would hold him and dance to Barney and he would fall asleep. But, I was willing to try ANYthing.

At 3 months, the whole world is new and engaging to them. I'd rather have my babies interacting with me or my husband.

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Television is really not good for kids of any age. I'd turn it off for now.

Have you ever looked at a child who is watching TV? Staring at the TV, not really moving and all slack-jawed? That's not "attention" it's more like "hypnotism."

I'm all for letting older children watch some TV, but too much is never good. She'll have better stimulation if you let her play :)

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This is obviously a lot easier said than done, but the child development specialists recommend that children under 2 years of age watch no TV and after that it be limited to 30 minutes per day. If the TV is never on, you would be surprised at how easily young babies entertain themselves with toys, looking around, etc... Good luck.

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Without getting into a VERY long response I would NOT leave it on for a newborn at all. There are so many reasons why it is bad for them, especially at this young age. If you want her to develop up to par use your time with her doing interactive activities with social dynamics, not a screen. Sorry to be so abrupt but don't know how else to tell you its not a good idea.
I'm sure you're doing a great job!

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Probably the unpopular vote but.... I don't think there is anything wrong with responsible TV watching and you sound like a responsible MOM! We are not a family that has the TV on all day but I like certain programs and so do my kids. There are times, as a family that we all watch a show together. My daughter loves unwinding from school by watching the TV. (She's a straight A-honor roll, avid reader, involved in sports, theatre and does a lot of volunteering; My son is a good student and sports-involved too! My kids were not ruined from TV. Exercise and academics is important to us!)

Sorry, I know there are LOTS of studies out there about how bad the boob-tube is for kids. I am a firm believer that TV's should not be allowed in children's rooms and you should know what your children watches. We also have always been big Disney fans and have enjoyed Disney Movies together! My daughter, at three, would watch Cinderella EVERYDAY (my saving grace - my son was just born!) Followed by Disney song video medley (could be what prompted her love for theatre!) My son loved Tarzan! And we all watched Lion King!

Being responsible and vigilant in what she watches/when/and how much, I believe makes that difference. Good luck!

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Personally, I'd turn it off. There was an article in Parents magazine about how television, even if just background noise, can possibly delay or prohibit speech/hearing. Your child has to filter through the noise in order to hear you reading her the story or interacting with her.

Now, I'm not a 'television is the devil' type of mom. My two year old loves Thomas and Elmo, but only gets to watch small amounts each day (like 25 minutes). If he had it his way, he'd plop down in front of the television all day long...but then he'd turn into one of those obese kids who does nothing but absorb screen time.

Everything in moderation!

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I agree with moderation in all things. We kept the TV on for white noise when my oldest was young. He consequently can sleep through the apocalypse. As an educator, I feel that TV is fine so long as you are an active participant in what your child is watching. My oldest is 2 1/2 and is addicted to watching anything with the alphabet, numbers or shapes. Consequently, he knows his alphabet (lower and upper case), can count to 30 (and read numbers) and knows about 15 shapes. In fact, he re-taught me what a hexagon is!

I have a sister-in-law who is a TV czar/nazi/dictator. Much like anything, if you make a big deal about it being bad, a child is going to want to do it more.

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My 5 month old tries to stare at the TV too. I just turn him around to face me on the floor or on my lap ( I recline and prop my knees up so he can see me only). Then I watch my show and then play with him on and off. There isn't a reason why you shouldn't be able to watch but there is no benefit to her. It won't hurt her but seeing your face will teach her a lot more than the TV will ;)(also I am not against it..my 3 year old watches TV a few times a day)

Hi K.,
I am smiling when I read the responses. I understand that all mothers have definite opinions regarding kids and television. I am a mother of three boys, and a family coach. My personal (and professional)opinion is that minimizing television is best for children, however, if your baby at 3 months feels like she is interacting with the characters on the screen it is not detrimental to her development. I would simply watch it with her and engage with her to discuss what she is seeing rather than using the tv as a sitter. If I can help further, please feel free to drop me a note here or at my site www.stepshelp.com
D.

my son watched tv everyday. at 1 yr he was speaking multiple words and at 18 m he knew the alphabet. i just always made sure it was educational

All your daughter is doing is watching the colors and movement on the tv. I really dont see any harm in it really, unless you make a habit of sitting her down in front of it all the time which doesnt seem to be the case.

I have read that tv watching in young children has been linked through research to inattentiveness, aggression and restlessness. My one year old doesn't watch tv. That being said, I am not militant about it...if there is something on that we're watching, she may glance at it but doesn't much seem to care. When she was younger, she was very interested in tv...the lights and images were fascinating to her. I just feel like I'd rather be interacting with my kid and reading to her than let tv teach her the ABCs or to count...which she'll learn when necessary. I'd rather her have the experience of personal interaction from learning with the people around her than memories of tv. My niece and nephew don't even notice you're there if the tv is on! When she is older, she can watch educational stuff...she'll be watching tv most of her life anyhow, why rush it? I think we can all stand to switch off the boob tube more than we do!

You could wear your baby in a carrier while you do things so that she's safe and entertained. It's a nice option. A store called Be By Baby in Roscoe Village has different kinds of carriers. They're a lot better, more supportive than what you find at Babies R Us.

Wow! You are getting some harsh responses. I am an advocate of infants watching TV, but only with educational movies. I am a firm believer in the Baby Einstein series. My son, now 5 1/2, is incredibly bright and I truly believe that these Einstein movies helped encourage his development. He too could not keep his eyes off the TV. At 3 months, he could watch a 30 minute episode of Einstein...which is quite impressive. I believe that you need to stimulate bright children and this includes giving them something like the Einstein movies. Ofcourse watching it too much can be a problem but it sounds like you are giving your baby girl a lot of stimualation and doing a great job! Go you!

As a side note, my son skipped Kindergarten.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
N.

My daughter is 5 months old and does the same thing. I don't think they are "watching" tv as much as they see the bright lights and everything moving. My son was the same way at 5 months too and wants nothing to do with TV so I think it is okay. I really don't think that they are watching it because they can't understand. if you think she is watching it try putting on Baby Einstein for her when your busy or something.

I'm not sure I have a strong response to TV one way or the other. I've never used it as a sitter so that I can get things done, but I've also never been strongly opposed to it. I watched quite a bit of TV when I was nursing my son. He is tongue tied and spent a would nurse for longer than many children, and I'd have gone crazy without some TV to keep me busy while I nursed.
Since he's been old enough to crawl or walk, he mostly ignores much of what's on TV. My husband likes to turn on Curious George and Sid the Science Kid for him in the morning, and he dances to the music, but is always playing and busy with other things while the TV is on. He has never just sat and watched TV. There was one Baby Einstein DVD that he would stand and watch the entire time it was on, but otherwise he is happier just playing.

I wouldn't worry too much. My son watches TV if he is sitting in his swing (he's 4 mo). It sounds like you are a well rounded person with reading and exercising etc. I believe TV is ok in moderation, as long as kids are getting lots of other stimulation too - reading, play time, one-on-one time, and when they get older being active outside and pretend play. Go with your gut, by even asking the question it's clear you not a mother who is going to stick her kids infront of the TV all day. Don't let people make you feel guilty about letting your little one watch some TV. My 3 year old watches probably 2 hours throughout the course of the day, but we also read, play, color, and do lots of outdoor stuff in the nice weather. It's all a matter of balance. Good luck and go with your gut.

Turn off the tv. Trust me - the time will come soon enough when she will ask, or maybe not. My oldest LOVES tv. My youngest doesn't care so much. Wait until she's old enough to ask for it.

Wow! A lot of responses. I would say that there are good things to be had from SOME T.V. watching. I would recommend that whatever you let her watch, you make sure it is "baby" friendly. There is a station called Baby T.V. They also have Baby Einstein DVDs and things that would be appropriate. I would make sure it is not too fast moving and has bright colors. Then, I would make sure the amount of time you let her see it is very limited. All of this can get out of hand when they get older, if you do not monitor it. : )

I personally don't see the problem with some tv. At your daughter's age she is most likely more entertained with the colors and things like that than actually ""watching" tv. I noiced that with one of my kids. They are fine eith not watching it, but she would look at the colors ad flashed of light.