Is this too much TV for a toddler?

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We usually get out twice a day if it's not raining (this morning we went to a playgroup and this afternoon was the park) but my toddler probably watches around 1.5 to 2 hours of CBeebies a day when at home. He turns 2 next month. It's too much isn't it?

Some will say it's too much, others won't.

It's probably a little too much for every day but you do need to find time for housework, cooking, a coffee etc.

Just do what suits you to allow you to cope. You're going out twice per day and doing other things. dC will be getting plenty of stimulation.

Be kind to yourself

My daughter has always watched a lot of tv, i don't worry too much as she is at nursery every morning but needs must. Ahe loves cbeebies, and watches films etc.i think if its educational they get something from it, and if its mixed in with other atuff and getting out its fine, all about balance

I'd try and think of it in terms of what does he need to be doing and see what time is left. At that age they need to be:

• getting out for daily fresh air and exercise
• getting out for a chance to socialise and experience new surroundings
• read, lots of reading
• play with an adult, working together on something new/an emerging skill
• take part in everyday activities, like tidying up, food prep, sweeping up etc.
• play independently (this is the one most often replaced with TV time, he needs to be bored and given time to find a way to entertain himself)
• eat three meals and two snacks
• for most children, have a nap
• have a bath

As long as all these needs are being met, then the rest of the time being used for screen time is fine imo. I would be surprised if you can fit all this in and 2 hours of TV time though, unless he doesn't nap?

I agree with @NuffSaidSam it’s a question of can you fit everything in. During lockdown/home schooling my children watched more TV than usual and I would like but it was necessity. My toddler doesn’t nap as the norm and I would struggle it fit in the minimal daily tick list if things to do with 2 hours TV time. Some times we have lazy days at the weekend where we would watch a film but they will rarely still and watch it all without getting out some toys and playing.

I think it's fine. You could try listening to CBeebiesradio to reduce the screen time. I tend to do craft activities with my two. Wego to the park every day. They still probably watch 2 hours a day but they don't nap and are up 7 -7.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02pnn9d/episodes/downloads

In my house peppa pig is on constantly. It's my dds comforter (no other programme will do. Shes not interested in anything else) I even stick peopa pig on my phone when we are out if she gets really upset about something. She doesn't sit and watch it all day, she just loves having it on. She runs about the house, plays with toys, but she just likes to come back every now and then to have a look at it and have a wee laugh. She's loved it since she was around 6 months old. I really couldn't care less what anyone says, it makes her happy and isn't affecting her development, she's been pretty quick with everything.

Does your toddler actually sit there and watch it though? We have CBeebies on in the background if we are at home but my 2 year old doesn't sit there constantly watching it. He plays with his toys, makes a mess of the house and occasionally will take a look if Andy's Dinosaurs is on. Most toddlers don't sit still. I wouldn't worry OP. CBeebies is pretty good, they can learn a bit.

I think that's fine, it's well balanced with other things. I wouldn't worry too much if she sees to be developing well in terms of social and language skills etc.

@Thatsplentyjack you've done well to stay sane with peppa pig on TV constantly for god knows how long!

We’ve recently had Covid and my two year old basically watched tv all day most days for about ten days. I’ve seen Encanto so many times I think I know it better than I know my husband
I would say that is way too much tv but needs must - a couple of hours a day isn’t going to do any harm as long as they get plenty of other activities in and fresh air etc.
Ds Often asks for tv in the morning and will watch it while we take turns getting ready but he potters about and plays as well.
Then we go out all morning - park, soft play, friends, coffee, garden centre. Come back for nap and then do activities in the afternoon, pretend play, playdough, painting, helping with chores, jumping on the bed that kind of thing.
Evening is bath and books.

I don’t worry about the morning tv because of the rest of the day being busy and full of different activities. If all they are doing is watching TV every day then it’s more of a concern (unless you all have Covid then you do what you can! I feel very guilty about the last week and a half though!)

My 3 year old watches 2 hours a day, an hour at lunch instead of their nap and an hour before bed in the eve; apart from the 3 days they are at nursery they only watch it in the eve

[quote runforyourdog]@Thatsplentyjack you've done well to stay sane with peppa pig on TV constantly for god knows how long![/quote]
I've learnt to block it out 🤣. I don't even notice when Netflix asks if we want to continue watching. Only when dd starts whinging I think, hmm weird, wonder what's wrong with her.

@CurtainTroubles how very dramatic! It isn't a lot at all I bet they aren't even watching it completely during this time it's just probably on in the background.

I hardly think two hours is a "huge amount" - I'd call 4 or 5 hours a huge amount! I highly doubt he's sitting and watching TV for a solid two hours. I've never limited TV, my children have pretty much no interest in it now as it's not something that was seen as restricted. As long as you're getting out and about and doing other things as well then it's really not an issue.

The TV is on in the background alot at my house probably the same if not more than you. My little boy is 4 and yes I do feel guilty but I have to do what works for me. I'm on my own and have a physical disability and I'm struggling alot with mental health at the moment so I need to know I can just sit in quite for a bit and gather my thoughts otherwise I'm a snappy horrible mess. I force myself to make sure we get out at least once a day everyday though and he usually prefers to play with his toys. He goes to nursery 2.5 days a week when I'm working which he loves and does loads and when my mum has him he rarely watches TV and they are always doing crafty or outdoorsy bits and bobs. Do what works for you and you're doing great mama. I know the guilt can be crushing sometimes x

most days our 2 yo watches up to 1 hr a day. Usually its less but that's the "limit" I try and stick to. sometimes it's far more! if we're travelling or someone is ill for example.

in our house it is easier to avoid it though because our living room has the only TV in the house and it's upstairs. the kitchen is our main living area and is downstairs.

There is a time and a place for TV. I use it when my child is tired and just needs to sit still and relax for a while. But to give a not even 2 year old the equivalent of a feature length films worth of TV every day is madness.

🤣 your dramatic reaction is madness. Wait until your child is a teenager. You won't get them off a screen of some sort.

TBH it sounds a bit much to me for a not-yet-2-yo. How about setting a 1hr daily limit and seeing how you get on? That always felt sort of ok to me, in pre-Covid days, and although FAR more TV was watched after that I'm trying to get it back to that.

If it's not at the expense of fresh air and exercise and if you engage with them properly at other times, it's probably fine.

I used to think my niece and nephew watched quite a lot of TV at this age; they've turned into very bright, motivated, fit & healthy, lovely young adults so it clearly did them no harm. However, they also got a LOT of exercise and had lots of positive communication and attention from their DM whenever they weren't watching TV.

It's not what I've chosen for my DC but that is partly because they never stop playing so at 2 years old wouldn't sit still and watch TV so it wasn't restful, wasn't watching the programmes properly so any educational value in the TV was probably lost. I just thought it was pointless.

I held off till 2 then allowed an hour (or 1 film) a day till she was 6. It was pretty easy for me though as I worked full-time so didn't have to entertain a toddler. I don't think the TV itself is the issue if it's high-quality and age appropriate (we looked at reviews in Common Sense Media). It's more that too much can take time away from more beneficial play.

I think that's a lot. Half an hour max for that age, I'd say. Could they play with blocks/read books/listen to songs?

My DD likes tv, we've been self iscolating last week so feels like she's watched more than usual.

She watches it for 30mins in the morning and then we go to a playgroup, class or soft play etc.

Then lunch and nap.

Then play at home in the afternoon and a dog walk, maybe another 30mins in the afternoon when she needs to chill and I have a few jobs to do and 30mins after dinner.

It's only a problem if it's a problem for you.
My DD is smashing her milestones.
I think it's more down to what you do with the rest of your day.

Everyone who doesn't let their child watch TV much, do you mean you just have the TV off all the time? Or do you mean you just have non-kid stuff on so they're not interested?