How Many Hours Does Your Child Watch TV/Videos?

[fimbles]

My dd, 21 months loves childrens videos. She watches fimbles, teletubbies, noddy and just recently Hi Five. She started watching them at around 6 months and the viewing time has unfortunately increased.

I have just bought the "Baby Talk" book, although I said I wasn't going to, it was staring at me in the "Big W". According to Dr Sally Ward the amount of TV viewing should only be half an hour per day.

My dd unfortunately watches alot more than that, but in saying so, she has learnt an awful lot from the videos, ie different styles of walking, started jumping last week and much more. Is it really that bad, as I feel really worried now. I know it can repress the speech, but she is saying around 50 words now, which I am told is ok, understanding seems ok too.I thought that as long as there is a balance between play, 1 to 1 time and videos then it should be ok Just wanted to hear your valued opinions. Thanks in advance.

M.I, WWW, M2T, Hula & Crunch,M 2 J, Moom & Croak (some funny mumsnet names here) I love you all!!!

You are real people with real lives. God bless you all. I also really respect those mums who control the tv viewing aswell. In the end we do what we think is right for our kids, and as I mentioned before a good balance is needed.

I thought I must be the only one with the tv on longer than most. My dd is just SO happy when she is dancing and singing along to the actions and songs. They are very educational though. (that makes it alot better don't you think)I like some of you ALWAYS interact with my dd when they are on and I think she gets alot from that, we bond very well and I explain what is happening and sing with her (not very well!!)

Nevertheless, I still feel I am going to reduce the amount of times she watches as I agree with FairyMum, maybe she couild be a little more imaganitive with her game playing.

Today we were up and 7am after she went to bed at 11.15pm, I was So tired in the morning I put the tv on straight away. She watched 45 mins and we went back to bed again. Got up 10.45am, feel wierd now, whole day messed up. I'll let you know later on how much she watched all day.

Once again, thanks for your input and honesty.

Ds is almost three and watches about 2-3 hours a day tbh. Can't say I'm overly happy about the amount he watches, but then I'd never get any meals cooked if I didn't! It breaks down to 30mins - 1hr over lunchtime, then the TV goes on around 4-4.30pm until dinner at 6, then if he gets ready for bed quickly he'll watch a bit of Maggie and the Ferocious Beast up in my room before bed. As others have mentioned, he'll quite often play and watch at the same time (for example get his Bob Builder toys out at the same time as the programme).

We go out at least once a day and do activities at home too, plus he "helps" with chores and cleaning. He doesn't seem to have suffered at all and is a very communicative and lively little boy. In many ways, TV has sparked his imagination and he'll re-enact events with his toys later, or chat to me about what he's seen.

I think I probably will try to cut back TV intake once the weather gets warmer - a lot easier to kick him outside to play while I cook. Then again, there'll be a newborn in the house then and we may have builders in for an extension, so maybe not

Ah, fimbles, could I just say that that is how much she watches with me - she has a full time nanny and I think she watches a bit with her too. If I was f/t SAHM I think she would watch 7 hours a day LOL!

Cor, I'm impressed with those who interact with their kids while the tv's on! I use it in a Crunchie-like way: to get some sleep or to get something cooked or to come here. It's an electronic babysitter in fact (eeek! )

I think you need to chill out about this kind of thing. My ds is 23 months and loves TV. 'Telly, Mummy, telly, pleeeeaase!!' He has recently been bought Finding Nemo and will sit and watch most of it but play at the same time. He loves the Tweenies and Fimbles and sings along with them so I think it can be educational as well. The weather will be better soon and he will play outside more so TV wont be an issue. I can be a TV addict and miss English TV so much.

Jus a little update on the tv viewing yesterday, it averaged at about 2 1/2 hrs of proper viewing. It's funny, since I started this thread, she hasn't seem interested in any tv, even today! Hmmmm, wonder how long that will last.

ANyway, the weather is lovely today so we are off out shortly, so I suppose it doesn't matter now.

Thanks again everyone and here's to a glorious summer.