2 year old watching TV / DVDS

[winkle2]

Whats your opinion on this? Is it good or bad for them?

As long as they are stimulated in other ways throughout the day then the odd in the night garden programme shouldnt affect them negatively.

My mother tells me I was a sesame street addict when i was a toddler and I managed to sit through a whole film at the age of three. However, I went to university and got good results throughout my school years so I'm sure it's fine occasionally to let them watch little bits. Hope that was helpful :)

I was anti TV watching until DD1 gave up her naps at 2.6, 20 weeks into second pregnancy. I don't know how I would've coped without them through late pregnancy and early bf DD2. DD1 is a lively, energetic and imaginative girl and TV gives her some chill time. It also gives her lots of ideas for her imagination to run wild with.

I'm looking forward to the day when I can cuddle up with both my DDs in front of a good kids film. DD2 is 19 months and would rather wind up her sister than watch TV at the moment.

Everything in moderation I guess. DD1 is happy to turn off the TV and do something less boring instead.

It's my sister with her 2 and a half year old. She lets him continuously watch kids tv/DVD - on long carjourneys on his portable DVD player, he has a tv in his play room and on the big tv in the living room. At people's houses/restaurants/parties he either has his DVD player or watches videos on an iPhone on YouTube.

I'm wondering if this is the reason why he isn't talking?

I love him and hate to see him being so unresponsive when I try and play with him. He just stops and looks over my shoulder at his tv programme.

It doesn't sound good to be watching TV all the time like that. TV is fine in moderation, but DCs should be doing plenty of other things as well. Children don't learn to talk from TV, they need interaction with others to do that.

Ds1 watches alot but tbh I think it, rather than hinder his imagination or speech, it has brought it along. He never passively sits watching it and enjoys asking me questions about a storyline or character, or dances about to actions or music. I spend time helping him understand a longer narrative in, for example, a dvd film. He had a lot of variety in his day, though, and we very rarely stay in for a day so it is not like Whatever he does he does with great enthusiasm and knows what he likes. For instance, he'll turn the tv off voluntarily when I suggest we do a puzzle, play in the garden or read some books.

It's been a life saver since dd2 arrived and it still allows me to interact with him whilst I'm feeding her.

My dd 2.5 likes to watch Disney films and tv but she is at nursery 4 days a week so I see it as 'down time' when she gets in. She talks very well and counts etc. I wouldn't like her watching it all day tho and if I thought it was hindering her development I would definitely cut it down. Dd usually likes to watch gruffalo and stories on you tube and she 'reads' along with the book.

My sis sees it as downtime too as he's out at nursery 5 days a week. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing?

I don't think they watch constantly even if on. My 22 month old will watch all of a Sesame Street show but otherwise it's 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there, mostly she potters about with her toys and books and glances over if there's interesting music or sounds. I'm quite impressed that Sesame Street can hold her attention.

Is the TV is Satan debate still going on?

Ok so maybe the not talking and the constant TV watching aren?t related then? Thanks everyone :)

Anyone have any idea what it could be?

If hes at nursery that much I wouldn't think it was related

I limit tv (my DC are 5yrs and 3yrs), now oldest is at school it is usually on for about 40 mins after school, before that it used to be some after lunch while I settled youngest for a nap.

I grew up without a tv (got one when I was 10yrs) so I suppose I am recreating my childhood to an extent. There's sometimes a bit of whinging about TV, but not that much, and they often turn it off when they've had 'enough', and find something else to play with.

winkle how would your nephew react if you asked if you could turn the tv off so that you could play with him? It's hard to have a conversation with anyone if they've got one eye on the tv, let alone a toddler.

It would depend how much actual person-to-person interaction he's getting at nursery. A lot of nurseries just leave them to play by themselves (conveniently labelled as 'child-led' play) and he may not be interacting with anyone all day then watching tv all evening and weekend. If he's not talking at all then he's definitely behind for 2 and a half. Too much TV does exactly that - retards language development. In any case he shouldn't be watching more than an average of half an hour a day at that age.