If your dcs don't watch much TV can I have some advice please?

[Elf]

Ours don't BUT they always have a video after lunch. The youngest goes to bed = peace and the other two watch a video or DVD while I get some peace. The six year old would happily listen to a tape or CD story but DS is three and can't really get into a long story.

What do you do? I really find that I need that time as a rest from the endless questions and just genreal interaction really. Then I can face the afternoon. I just wondered what those without TVs do?

I don't want to get into a debate about how much TV or video is ok, I'm just interested in this point ATM. thanks

Hhhmmm, yes, maybe Fillyjonk.

and, no, you wouldn't like it yourself. Its narrated by an animated earth, who is quite irritating. DD likes in though, and now spouts facts about Australian animals!

oh [disappointed]

I am one of those annoying people who slags off tv and then says "ooh but I LOVE the nature programmes"

Franny can you remind us what the heuristic play involves and the kinds of things to put together? What sort of ages is it best for? Am trying to wean DS1 (2.11) off TV at the mo...

we're not "without tv" as such, as in we do have them in the house, it's just that we don't tend have them on til about 4pm at the earliest (not a rule, just something that happens often!)
we go for story cd's and tapes - if it is stuff like mr men, percy the park-keeper etc the tapes or cd's have a number of short stories; our smallest one listens to one story then wanders off to do her own thing, the boys (4 and 7) stay for varying amounts longer.
there is a funny connection between having stories on and bringing out lego or blocks at the same time - the DC always seem to go with the story's theme and build stuff...which continues well after the end of the story. I work part time so we do this on the couple of weekdays when i'm at home, don't know what would happen if we did it every day. It's enough of a 'treat' to work in our world My fave video chill-out has to ba 'fantasia' and DC love it. prob cos i do!!

We have "quiet time" in our house - DS2 (4 years old) has a nap after lunch and DS1 plays on his own for as long as I can persuade him to! For us it was a natural progression from when he dropped his lunch time nap (around 2 years), he would stay in his room and play instead of sleeping. Now he plays downstairs in the playroom and the general rule is that he has to stay in there, although to door is open and he does pop out occasionally to show me something or ask for help. He's usually very happy to have this time (which lasts anything from 45 mins to 1 1/2 hours) but when he's not and coming out a lot or whinging about it, I explain that I have jobs to do (or need to rest!) and give him a specific time that his quiet time will end. Works well for us.

Sorry - DS2 is 2 years, DS1 is 4 years. Me pregnant so brain not functioning, sorry!

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I forgot to say that actually DH gives them another DVD/video in the morning which I don't really like so this hour or so at lunchtime is not their only viewing time. But yeah, I know it's not the end of the world. It is interesting to hear of other people's thoughts and ideas though so thanks. Especially like the idea of the patroller!

Pannacotta, you can start with babies from about 5 or 6 months with a treasure basket full of interesting objects eg lemon, whisk, length of chain, etc etc

then from about 1 year try larger collections of objects eg big tins (old formula tins or biscuit tins), baskets (the kind you get given toiletries in), tubes (inner cardboard bit from wrapping paper or kitchen roll) and combine with things like ping pong balls, wooden pegs, lengths of ribbon, straws etc. If you have say 4 tins and 50 to 100 pegs they can have a whale of a time experimenting with them. Look out for things that they can stack, roll, sort, post, fill, carry etc. You need to put a litle bit of effort in at first but it is very rewarding, and can be cheap if you use resources like scrap stores or ask your friends to help you collect. I've seen children from 1 year up to 5 years playing with both treasure baskets and the collections of objects.

hi franny,
yeah, a while back you sent me info about treasure baskets and we have been stuck into them ever since. in fact i often feel kind of embarrassed when other people's kids come over and look at me as if to say 'this is all she gets to play with.." clothes pegs, balls, old necklaces, old loo roll and egg boxes!
anyway, she seems to enjoy it so far. she mainly likes to put things in a bag, drag it round the house, unpack it, put everything back in and head off round the house again. hence ' the patroller'.
going to get along to the library and see what audio books i can find next week.
where are you by the way franny, if that's not too much info.?

Essex. Email me if you are local and I can give you information

i'm south london so not really local.
i do feel we will meet sometime though!
will just wait and see when that happens.
cheers