Toddlers and TV...
This is interesting and perhaps a warning for us parents who allow children to watch too much TV..........
The boy of three trapped in the world of Thomas The Tank Engine after watching show for five hours a day.
He should be running around laughing and playing with the other children at his nursery.
But because he watches so much TV, one three-year-old boy has already become cut off from his peers, trapped in his own ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ world instead.
The toddler, known only as Max, has spent so long watching the show that he barely speaks to other children at his nursery school and instead wanders around in a daze obsessively repeating phrases from the TV programme.
He watches the cartoon for as many as five hours a day – and doctors fear that it has had a long-term effect on his development and communication skills.
The programme is full of catchphrases, such as the character Thomas saying he wants to be a ‘really useful engine’ and exclaiming ‘well bust my buffers’, or those of his faithful coaches Annie and Claribel ‘We feel so full,we feel so full’.
The boy, is being treated by a specialist in California.
Doctors are so alarmed that they have reported his behaviour in a paper published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
The youngster’s mother reportedly lets him watch as much TV as he likes. He also likes to watch the Disney Channel, which includes popular programmes such as Hannah Montana and Phineas and Ferb.
However, his case is by no means unique and experts warn that children who watch too much television may be in danger of suffering learning difficulties later on.
Some doctors believe the problem is becoming so widespread that toddlers younger than two should be banned from watching any TV at all.
Researchers in Britain fear that television is increasingly hindering children’s communication skills and ability to concentrate as well as contributing to rates of obesity, because screen-based activities mean they are less inclined to be physically active.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1317455/The-boy-trapped-world-Th...
Over 6 months extreme hot and humid Summer is the another reason for addiction to indoor activities (as described previous post) and a major distraction.
Hope we could provide our children some different outdoor activities (Tennis, Football, Cycling, Swimming, etc) between November and April :)
The good old stroll in the park is not permitted here to the weather hopefully weather will get better and kids can be out more..:)
MJ I am also for physical activities..
I am all for physical activities and exercise.. :)
Uk, and thus try to set a definite schedule for the kids who are incapable to understand the loopholes behind sitting infront of TV/COMPUTER/GAMES/DVDS for long..Avoiding kids to get themselves acquainted with latest equipments would rose more curosity..Better set the definite time...
And yes, i too in a favour of allowing kids to be involve in more physical and mindful activities rather than just playing indoor games..
Yes you right Soniya but kids need excercise and activities to stimulate the body and minds
Ukeng, it's hard to get those eras back...:))
We have to move ahead as per the new inventions and technologies..We can't look back into the past always...
There are many advantages and drawbacks too when we tried hard to get these modern well advanced and highly sophisticated equipments..One should know how to deal with it and how to keep it under control...
Valid Points Victor. Any thing accessively can lead to deterimental effects.
When we were young back in the Uk. We only had 3 Channels BBC1 BBC2 and ITV. These channels were not 24 hours. So we only had a few good programs to watch and the rest of the time we went out to play in the park or played with our toy soldiers or dolls in the case of girls.
But now a days it is very hard to get the kids out. Lucky here in Qatar we have swimming pool that the kids like to go but the rest of the time they are glued to the TV..:)
Parents can help by doing the following: don't allow children to watch long blocks of TV, but help them select individual programs. Choose shows that meet the developmental needs of your child. Children's shows on public TV are appropriate, but soap operas, adult sitcoms, and adult talk shows are not. Set certain periods when the television will be off. Study times are for learning, not for sitting in front of the TV doing homework. Meal times are a good time for family members to talk with each other, not for watching television.
Encourage discussions with your children about what they are seeing as you watch shows with them. Point out positive behavior, such as cooperation, friendship, and concern for others. While watching, make connections to history, books, places of interest, and personal events. Talk about your personal and family values as they relate to the show. Ask children to compare what they are watching with real events. Talk about the realistic consequences of violence. Discuss the role of advertising and its influence on buying. Encourage your child to be involved in hobbies, sports, and peers. With proper guidance, your child can learn to use television in a healthy and positive way.
Inshort, better allow toddlers to mingle with other kids around..Don't trap them inside for long..Make a proper schedule as to when they should watch the TV or to sit on computer or when they need to go out for play...
Tom n Jerry cartoon show is ever refreshing...I still enjoy watching those..
drmana, it's absolutely true...Ekta kappor really made half of the the INDIAN HOUSEWIVES a LAZY A55 for quite longer period with her daily soap dramas which was nothing but a sob weeping story everyday...Thank GOD, those serials got over and her creative teams have come up with some fresh and bubbly serials that are quite watchful compared to her earlier serials..:))
"One key sentence here is - "Researchers in Britain fear that television is increasingly hindering children’s communication skills as well as contributing to rates of obesity, because screen-based activities mean they are less inclined to be physically active."
Television is not the Only reason; Computers (WiFi), Net Games (HALO3, Counter Strike) PSP and Xbox all impact on children mental growth and communication skills and style.
Yes Soniya, once there was a joke doing round that in India Ekta kapoor's daily soaps were acting as a natural contraceptive among couples. That means it was affecting their relationship as wives were busy watching those dramas.
Watching TV PGMs for an hour not only increases the rates of obesity among kids but it raises an alarming situation for the adults too(specially the housewives)who prefers to sit infront of TV for half of the day..
One key sentence here is - "Researchers in Britain fear that television is increasingly hindering children’s communication skills as well as contributing to rates of obesity, because screen-based activities mean they are less inclined to be physically active."
This is also something we need to condider. many a time we put on the TV or game so that the child "sits quietly".
How do you guys know the names of all cartoon pgms?? It seems that i should go back to my childhood days again to make myself recall few cartoon names...I know only few like NINJA HATTORI and NARUTO..Heard a lot about HANNAH MONTANA but never seen that pgm...
tink, I love Bob the builder too.. :)
and the blackberry most
Barney is a thing of the past.. :P
I like fairies..:)
Interesting. Our kids now a bit older are glued to Disney channel with shows like Hannah Montana and Camp Rock Wizards of Waverly Place etc.
Wife thinks that the attitude of the kids has changed due to this programmes. I kinda agree with her?
What happened to the goo old Blue Peter and other good informative programmes for Kids.
Barney is another culprit in our house hold but as they grow older Barney is wearing off too..:)
No flor..I only answered thats what I do in my spare time. My daughter dosen't like QL cos it diverts mom's attention from her =)
brit exactly...Better don't make your toddler to get habituated of any thing that parents are not agreed of...
A young toddler on a spree to get addicted to QL soon...:)))
QL will be good for your child/ren?
I'm a stay at home mom, I could have plenty of spare time but I just fill it up as much as possible. Besides there's always QL =D
What she dosen't know she dosen't miss. Like I said the internet is interesting enough for her and we have never had a tv since we married so non of us feel the need or want for it. Many of my friends do have tv at home but my daughter ignores it completely as its of no interest to her. She loves the wild life documentries, cookery and handicraft and various other educational vids she gets off the net but that too only for a few minutes a day. see our decision was well thought over and we weighed its pros and cons carefully when we decided. so far so good,Alhamdullilah. the plus point is my daughter is also very very computer savvy,Mashallah, unlike me!
It is all about personal choice and how they are brought up..
A friend never gave his children fizzy drinks when they were toddlers/kids. Now they are in their teens and don't have any craving / need for them.
Fathima, I don't think total abstinence from TV or internet is a proper way either. It just makes one crave more of it when not available. Once children would start understanding what they are missing, they will find ways to get it.
Selective Parental control is the best way I think.
FathimaH, that's something i can never think to sacrifice...:))
To a certain extent, TV is must..parents should have full control on it to see what their kids are watching on it..To watch a cartoon show and few other pgms will not harm if it's done under some limitations..i do allow my kid to watch songs, cartoons, ADs..She tries to immitate the lyrics of the songs and the catchy lines from the ADs which i think will not stop her brain development..Infact it's must when a kid is in his/her growing stage...
Now my nieces spends too much time with LEGO CITY. almost have the size of one dining table good for 6 persons. :D hahaha
excessive TV, excessive internet not at all goooood
The same can be true for "addiction" to games and internet.. Children become insular and develop a kind of tunnel vision.
so what do you do on your spare time? Or do you have one?
Don't let kids watch Tv, except for a few hours during week ends. Other times indulge them by spending time with them......painting, clay modelling, board games. Get them into the habit of reading. Parents have to be willing to take the time & make the effort, not the easy way out.
For a multitude of reasons my husband and I made a joint decision never to own a tv at home. Not that we ban all media..just no TV. My daughter's got the internet for her entertainment,screened and for just about an hour after school, and as a result is not addicted to any one programe. When I do see her getting too attached to something I halt that under some pretext. I've already seen the effect of excessive tv on other members of our families's kids so never want to make the same mistake, Inshallah!
and my boy is addicted to you tube for his nursery rhyme animations :-(
my nieces watching TV all the time before napping and after coming from school. but it doesnt mean they are watching the local cable shows even if it's cartoons or sesame street because there are commercial breaks and we cannot control what's in those advertisements that is not good for children. so my nieces just watching cartoons from a DVD player. Like barney, sesame street, Elmo.
and my nieces always with a guardian either their parents or "Yaya" - caretaker.
Tink, what I used to do when mine was still here, she is not allowed to watch TV until all homework is finished. And when I say it's time to stop watching she has to do as she's told.
a great danger, actually not only to toddlers but to young people as well. The business aspects already clouded the responsibility of having a good show!
The reason I was fascinated by this is that my own nephew is really into Thomas the Tank engine. He has all the trains, pyjamas, books , videos etc etc
In this instance, an "interest" can be over indulged and lead to problems also.
Apologises britey !
yes brit, sadly it is true... it's not an easy job being a parent especially when one has to juggle it with a professional career..
No hijacking please...
You can send him a PM to find out :O)
The problem is that nowdays, with our hectic lifestyles, it is all too easy for parents to just switch on the TV to keep the kids occupied.
saeedkhan then why did you borrow tat XXX movies from WK ? :(
why why ? bolo bolo ?
to the parents. Watching TV is not bad, EXCESSIVE and unguarded and unguided is the culprit!
now a dayz kids are more prone to these things....TV,computers, PSP etc. etc.....:(
I don't think watching TV for kids should be banned at all..they learn lots of things from it too, it is our responsibility as parents to guide them and set limitations so that they don't become too hooked up in it..
That's scary.