TV better than books?

[PeanutBean]

I know nothing about the author but I just read this article and found it interesting. Lots to go on but the TV being ok was what most caught my eye. The idea around nursery being better was interesting too.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/01/desmond-morris-tv-books-toddlers

 

[SKATERBUN]

I'm going to introduce both to my LO in equal quantities. Both have their benefits and in different ways.

I prefer the box to books myself, I can never concentrate on text for too long my mind wanders, I'm easily distracted. Hope my LO isnt like me

 

[BlackBerry25]

Helena watches a lot of tv and reads a LOT of books. We go to the library once or twice a week, and she has constant access to a huge assortment of books in her room. I think both are good. Yesterday, my OH googled child development expecatations and Helena can do stuff that 4 year olds can. She can count to 15, knows the whole alphabet (not in order but if you sing the song she can fill in the blanks and she can point out letters), she has memorized words and recognizes them and can recite songs. Not to brag but I think tv has helped her with these things (as did books and flash cards and toys, etc)

 

[indy and lara]

Emma watches a little TV at night but she doesn't seem as interested as she was previously. OH and I love reading so are keen to read with Emma. Have no issues with kids watching TV as long as it is appropriate and for short bursts.

 

[PeanutBean]

Byron watches quite a bit of tv and is utterly obsessed with books. DH studied English lit and is a writer and I also read loads so there's no absence if enthusiasm for books in our house. We had to ask nursery to get the books out the toddler room for him as he was clearly enjoying books older than average. But he's learnt so much makaton from tv. His language when signs are included is pretty big for his age. I think there are plenty of hours in the day for tv and imaginary time.

 

[SKATERBUN]

LO has taken a shine to the BABY TV channel on Sky, its brilliant, there are no commercials and its programmes look very developmental, lots of colours and music it keeps her very focused and entertained

 

[Miss Wright]

Dylan usually watches TV first thing in the morning. He plays at the same time and stops to look at the screen every now and then, usually if a song is played. I think this is fine but I also want him to read a lot when he is older. I've always been a big reader and will encourage Dylan to read as much as possible.

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

I find that quite interesting. My LO is only 20 weeks so isn't really old enough in my opinion for books OR TV at the moment although most of the presents I have brought her for Christmas are in fact books.. I will introduce both on an equal level as I do believe that with the right educational programmes TV can be a learning experience especially with the bright colours and numbers and alphabet emphasis that children's programmes have. I wouldn't just put the TV on an put her in front of JK for example.

Me personally I'm a book worm so I would love Olivia to have the same passion for books that I have but I don't believe you can force things on people. My OH isn't a reader but I would be quite happy to be left on my own for a week with a pile of good books.

 

[Sarahkka]

I agree with the second fellow quoted - the biologist - about books and brain development. I also think that the American Pediatrics Ass'n has merit in recommending that TV-watching not be introduced until the age of two, and then in very limited quantities. I certainly don't ban it, but I definitely limit screen time in general.
I did like what Desmond Morris said about the parents at work and the effect of nursery. That has been my experience: Simon thrived at his dayhome.

 

[PeanutBean]

Lol Sarahkka, we like what we want to hear!

 

[BlackBerry25]

I think that it is true. I feel like most kids that were in a lot of different activities at school were in daycare or socialized with kids a lot when they were young. I did not, and I was kind of socially awkward, and still am

(I don't even know if that is what the article said because I read it a few days ago )

 

[PeanutBean]

Lol blackberry! I also found the bit about nursery comforting but I don't need some random guy to say it, I can see it in my boy.

 

[TattiesMum]

It's odd - I'd not really thought about it until I read this thread - but when my eldest DD was born I didn't have a TV in the house .... not in preparation for having her, but just because I'd never needed one - I'm a big reader and hate 'background noise'.

We didn't actually get a TV until C was about 2 1/2, when my ex decided that he really wanted one....

I've just realised that the only one of my 3 children who is as passionate about books and reading as I am is my eldest. The others do read for pleasure but to nowhere near the same extent. I wonder if that is just co-incidence or if having a TV, even when viewing is restricted, somehow reduces the desire to 'work a little' for the entertainment contained in a book?

 

[cherryglitter]

I love telly but I also love reading. I like to think im quite balanced with both and i'd love Jake to be.

 

[hopeandpray]

I like tv but it is so passive compared to reading a book. Actually Tatties mum I love reading and my younger brother and sister aren't as keen. Until I was about 6 we had a 2 channel telly that we rarely watched but by the time they were of reading age we had sattelite and watched as much as we were let.
Alot of the way that I think is to do with what I read in books. I remember when I was about 6/7 'A little princess' was my favourite book and the concept of entitlement and it just being 'luck' that I wasn't born into poverty and a difficult family stuck with me forever. I find that in books you really get to see how the characters mind works, there's an inner monologue. this is something that helps you to understand people a little better I think and it's not something that you get from tv
Don't get me wrong I love tv (x-factor all weekend ) but I would consider it a 'switch-off' activity
Not sure about the nursery thing. I have been in playschool since I was 2 and a million activities since, I turned out fairly socially inept and know people that were homeschooled since birth who are very outgoing people

 

[PeanutBean]

Tattiesmum I suspect it's more individual. Not that there is necessarily not an effect of tv but that the effect will vary and as such be less significant that natural inclination. Assuming parenting is otherwise varied etc.

DH is a weirdo about tv. He cannot put his attention anywhere else if it is on, even some crap advert when he's walked into the room to ask me something will totally distract him. He's always been an avid watcher, these days DVDs rather than tv itself not that I think that makes a difference other than not watching did the sake of it. He has also always been a massive player if computer games. Yet all he has ever wanted is to write and read, he studied English lit at uni and has just completed his first novel.

There was another article in the guardian today. The article was not so bad but I'll appeared in a less balanced way elsewhere. Research showed a correlation between watching more than two hours of tv a day and psychological problems. Exercise was factored into it to take out that effect. Of course the standard reporting is more than two hours tv will mess up minds however it is equally possible it works the other way: those with psychological problems are more likely to watch more tv

 

[redpoppy]

I've been a little paranoid since that article/study about how bad TV is for kids under three.

I wish I wasn't though. She sends me loopy on some days! (today being one of them!)

 

[PeanutBean]

Which one redpoppy, the recent one?

 

[redpoppy]

Which one redpoppy, the recent one?

Argh! I cant find it now but I don't know what to search. It's silly as I'm pretty sure the link was form this forum. It was a study done recently on under three year olds and link to development or maybe even attention disorders....

Can't remember. I have baby brain. I just computed: "TV bad" and got on with life.

I think the jist was something along the lines of, if you do it occasionally as a one off or for a short amount of time (like if you need a quick shower) then it's fine but if you're doing it as a regular thing it MIGHT be potentially harmful.

Like most things I think the vast majority of babies will be just fine, like with early weaning, but if a study has shown some link then I'd rather avoid it as much as possible.

I'm such a fool though. Brain filed "TV bad before 3" and that was it. Maybe I dreamt it. Maybe I've gone mad. It was within the last few months. Like last 6 months or so.

 

[PeanutBean]

Hm. Sounds like the one I mentioned a few posts back. I dunno they're all inconclusive. I suspect any effect tv might have is most likely totally dwarfed by pre-disposition. Same for violent films or computer games or Marilyn Manson's music wacko. Individual disposition is IMO the most likely cause of all these sorts of behaviour, except in cases where there are evident serious issues within the home.