Desmond Morris: TV as good as books for toddlers

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Thoughts? Makes me feel less guilty!!

here

Although I dont agree that a book only provides verbal input - my DCs get quite a lot out of some of the more detailed picture books such as Animalia.

Desmond Morris may be a clever bloke but he has previously proved himself to be something of a pompous prat. He was talking about modern art IIRC.

How about the fact that when you are reading a book with a toddler, there is a two way interaction? The DVD isn't going to look at his reactions and adapt its readings, it's not going to stop and talk more closely about a picture he is interested in, it won't listen to hear what he thinks about it. I have nothing against dvds- but they are not the same as reading to someone you love. My dcs are both perfectly capable of reading themselves, they have a good collection of dvds, but they still enjoy my reading aloud to them because it is a shared activity.

TBH, the article did make me feel less guilty about switching on Cbeebies while I make dinner, for example. BUT I LOVE books. I always have two or three on the go and the DCs have several hundreds and are avid readers. The older to himself and rarely a day goes by when we (either all of us or me and yonger DCs) dont snuggles up and read four, five, six books, plus the usual bedtime stories. So I think I have passed on the love of books :) I freely admit to the book vs TV snobbery described in the article and try to limit the tv. But this is also because the DCs are more distracted, whingy, argumentative and constantly asking for food if it is on. I think they are bored and not as engaged. plus as you mentioned, cory there isnt that interaction.I also think there is more 'depth' to books.

Cant quite work out what I am trying to say but I thought the article was interesting anyway!

Oh, Lord. Desmond Morris - that's a name I haven't heard for a while. IIRC, Desmond morris, for example....

I have a feeling that Dezzy just hasn't read many books . This is the first report I've heard from him since becoming my parent myself, and I must say I find him underwhelming. That's the kindest thing I'd say.

There are well-documented negative effect from watching too much telly...I doubt one could compile an equivalent list for reading. I always notice that DS becomes more hyperactive and unmanageable when he watches lots of telly on a regular basis. As soon as we cut his viewing time, his behaviour changes. I may be wrong, but I don't recall him going nuts after reading Spot's New Game.

TV is great for all of us, but in moderation.