As I was working toward my Master's Degree in education, I took a class about children and the media. The class was amazing! I learned everything from how babies' brains develop and how television watching can influence that development to how teenagers are greatly influenced by all types of media. After taking that class, I swore to myself that my kids would NOT watch any tv until they were at least two years old. And after two years old, they would watch very little.
When Jack was an infant, Bryan and I made it a point to not have the television on when Jack was awake. {Did you know that even though babies don't "watch" tv, the lights, colors, and sounds can distract their little brains from the learning that takes place during play?} We don't watch much tv anyway, so that wasn't very difficult. But, lately that has changed. Jack will be two in August. He's been regularly watching "Dora, the Explorer" every evening for the last two months.
I struggled with the decision to let him watch tv. After Bryan's job change and the new nightly schedule that came with the new job, I started doing a lot more cooking. When we got home from daycare, Jack and I would play for a little bit and then it would be time for me to start dinner. That's when Jack got crabby - really crabby. So to ease everyone's tension, I plopped him in front of the tv. And that's how the 6:00 evening Dora show came to be.
I still feel slightly guilty for this. But, only slightly. Now that school is out, I still let him watch tv for a little bit. Being home with a toddler all day is quite a job. Sometimes I just need a little time to myself. And sometimes I still need to cook supper. I make it a point to do lots of things with Jack during the day that expands his little brain.
And the inspiration for this post... This was Jack's prize possession today. After I was done reading my Parents' Magazine, I let him look through it. And he found a Dora ad. He carried the magazine around all day. I finally tore the page out because the magazine was becoming a burden. So he went to garage sales, ate a snack, and played, all while clutching the Dora ad. He even occasionally said, "My Dora." Oh my dear Jack, how you love your Dora!
3 comments:
Awwww, that is so sweet that he calls her "his Dora". :o)
Oh my goodness! I am freaking out about this, too! Eric will put her in front of the TV in the AM's while he gets ready for work. She stares in some zombie-like trance. AAaaahhh!!!
And Mom freaked me out by telling me she read studies {or took a class -- can't remember which} that said children who skip the crawling step and go straight to walking have learning disabilities later in life. She actually pleaded with me not to let her skip that step. Considering she has 30+ years of Special Ed experience I'm listening, but am FREAKED OUT!!! Avarie likes to stand. She wants nothing to do with being on her tummy. I am a paranoid wreck anymore that she's not going to learn something in the correct "order" or I'm going to do {or not do} something and mess her up developmentally. *pant, pant* Any advice dear friend????
Well, you already know my stance on the TV. A big NO for Avarie's age. It's just keeping her little brain from developing with toys {sorry, Eric}. Maybe a pack-n-play with toys or something like that while he gets ready for work? A special toy that she only gets to play with during that time?
As for the walking thing - Jack did the same thing. He loved to stand and hated his tummy too - and we were certain that he would skip crawling. (By the way, I hadn't heard that about skipping crawling, so I'm glad he crawled!) He ended up crawling for a LONG time before he walked. I'm sure she'll do the same thing. Honestly, how many kids actually skip crawling? I don't think I now any that have.
And as for the right order of things... there's only so much we can do. We can guide them, encourage them, and support them, but we can't make them do anything. Avarie will be a bright little girl. Look at her ma and pa! :)
Post a Comment