My daughter is 18 months old and even though the books say not to I do let her watch some tv. She probably watches 1.5 hour a day and not always the same shows. I have noticed lately she can sing the theme songs and even commercials to just about any show I put on, I know she could not have seen the commercials more than 1 or 2 times. I thought she was watching too much tv but then I had the radio on today and she was able to sing a song by rhianna and another song. I am amazed and nervous at the same time.. is she watching too much tv or do 18 month olds just have that good of a memory?
Young children are AMAZINGLY sponge-y! My son used to recite all of the Nascar car numbers and drivers--and we were never "into" Nascar! He's now almost 8 and he knows thousands of football players, their jersey numbers and the years they played--it is amazing.
That's why kids can pick up another language so easily too!
My little cousin, at 2, was able to identify makes of all the cars. It was a game for him when we were driving to shout it out before my fiance could when he was driving with us. He always got them right! I remember one time we were driving, and he shouted out 'CHEVY' for a truck... My fiance told him 'no, that one's GMC'. Cousin says 'They are the same thing, Travis!' LOL! They are sooo much smarter than people give them credit for.
My son did the same thing -- it embarassed me that he would start singing Bob the Builder theme song (which he had seen exactly 2 times) at the grocery store LOUDLY. I kept thinking everyone must be thinking I plant him in front of the tv all day :( which we don't. My kids are now 3.5 and 2 and watch about 40 min-1.5 hour a day (while the au pair or me/my husband are preparing meals for them). But, my son started watching earlier than my daughter because he was the second child...such will likely be the case with #3 that is on his way too :) By the way- my daughter at 2.5 yo could recite the entire Hail Mary and Lord's Prayer -- just by hearing us say it. Amazing little memories those kiddos have!
Just don't let her listen to "Please Daddy Dont' Get Drunk This Christmas" before you walk into church.
Kids are sponges and will repeat anything.
And now is the time to watch your mouth. :o)
Kids that age are learning all the time, and it sounds like your daughter may be good at music. So maybe you could take advantage of that and find songs that teach her letters, numbers, etc. With CDs or DVDs you know exactly what's on them with no commercials. My son used to listen to disney CDs of classic childrens songs, kids videos, and regular TV. But he's the type of kid who learns by words and pictures and has never once sung the theme song to anything(he's now 8).
Kids that age do have good memories. My 3.5 year old still has an awesome memory.
And yes, she is watching too much TV. I know we are VERY restrictive with TV in our house. My 3.5 year old probably watches 1.5 hours per WEEK... if that. Even if I were to be more lenient... I still think 1.5 hours per day is too much for any toddler. Encourage play. It will stimulate their imagination more, keep them more active, and be better for them overall.
Turn off the tv and put on some classical music-it helps develope the brain. A baby is a sponge when it comes to information-they can learn anything-like an entire language in two years-not too bad. Even two languages in two yrs if you live in a bi-lingual household. Don't limit her to the music of a girl, who out of 7 billion people on the planet, chose to allign herself with some degenerate ,schmuck , thug who beat her in the face. She could be learning the alphabet and numbers and how to read,etc. The greatest potential for learning occurs in the first 6 yrs of life.
Kids can be amazing sometimes. My 2 yr old picks up on songs really quickly, but her brother has an amazing auditory memory, too.
My two year old still remembers a few things from that age, the ocean and fireworks, she can tell me all about it in great detail, i dont think you need to worry
My 2.5 yr old will remember things that I don't recall doing or saying, so don't stress too much about it. If you have the radio on all the time, then she's hearing the songs, likes the tune and sings along! Same thing with the t.v. shows. They recall the funniest things b/c they attend to different things than we do.
Yes, to both questions. She is watching too much television, and 18 month olds DO have that good of a memory.
Encourage the singing - of appropriate material - and provide other activities for her rather than the television viewing. Give her musical instruments to play around with, and a CD player with classical and/or children's music.
If you can't afford to go out and buy children's instruments, make them with her. It's easy, she'll love spending the time with you doing it, and she will keep herself occupied while she plays/sings/dances with her new instruments to the music.
She's watching too much. Children under 2 shouldn't watch any TV at all.
Yes, they have that good of memory. Don't worry about it.
