We don't have a television but we do watch some YouTube. Lately, I have grabbed a few minutes here and there by plopping Felix down in front of my computer while I cleaned up my desk or the pile of clothes on the floor. His interest in television only lasts about three minutes so Le Petit Ours Brun clips are perfect. I actually would be willing to let him watch more media if he was at all interested in it.
Baby videos inhibit development « Musings from Sumigirl
But then I read this post over at Sumigirl's blog and was reminded of why we decided a long time ago not to get a television. After listening to the NPR podcast the first thought that came to my mind was, well duh!
It is so easy for me to lose perspective and feel overwhelmed by things. In the podcast, the host states that many parents feel that they can't follow the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations of no television or video before the age of two because otherwise they would never get anything done. Yet, as the researcher reminds us, many mothers had meals to prepare long before television came along.
It seems like I am always coming back to my goal of being a more divergent thinker. Sitting here right now I can think of several different ways that I could occupy Felix while I prepare dinner such as having a special basket on top of the refrigerator that I pull out only when I need it. I can keep changing up its contents so it is always interesting to him. The basket could contain books, stickers, small cars, some art supplies or other various items that would seem new and exciting because they are reserved for the moments that I really need them. We have also set up a small corner of our kitchen with a small wooden kitchen for Felix so I can get him involved in cooking at the same time as me. And there is always the classic bottom drawer full of pots, pans, and wooden spoons. Throw on some Dan Zanes and we've got a dance party in the kitchen.
Instead of trying to distract him while I put away the pile of clean clothes, I can get him to help me by handing him his own clothes to take care of. We keep all of Felix's clothes in big open baskets so it is easy for him to stuff his clothes in. He is also getting pretty good at identifying different pieces of clothing so I could ask him to go to the basket and bring me all of the socks and grab another few minutes of folding time.
So much about parenting is just plain old creativity but sometimes in the moment I feel like my brain is blocked. We get stuck in ruts playing the same games or using the same old tricks over and over again. I tend to feel rushed and try to accomplish too much in too little time. For some people, creative parenting comes naturally and easily. I think I have a lot of great ideas but they don't always appear at the right moment which means that I just need more practice. And to stop and breathe every once in a while. And perhaps more sleep. Either way, I don't think we will be bringing a television in to our house anytime soon and YouTube will remain our after hours treat for a few more years.
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Tags: babyeinstein, sumigirl, television, toddlers, babies, development, NPR, killyourtelevision
I thought you would get a kick out of that NPR story. I thought "duh", too and I don't even have kids.
My mom just put me in the playpen with toys and put on some music and I was pretty happy. As a result, I could sing (carry a recognizable tune) before I could talk.
Posted by: Caroline | August 08, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Etienne and I are not TV goers. I haven't owned a TV for 10 years and the only series we've watched are Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives, both on DVD or through I Tunes. We were adamantly against having our kids watch TV, until my mom got Gab Baby Einstein- DVDs that could play on our computer. When we saw that he liked it, we justified ourselves by saying 'it's educational'. Then, once that wore off, the free time we enjoyed having because Gab can sit for 2 hours watching TV did not wear off and then it was Dora. Etienne read the articles about kids under the age of 2 not watching TV, we felt guilty about it, but we continued. It was like a good drug.
We are not good parents in that we both really enjoy our own activities and have a very difficult time involving our kids in our activities unless we just don't do our activities at all and focus on their activities. We have been better lately, but at times we've lacked patience. We also don't have a yard, so getting Gab to find and focus on an activity for more than 5 min. without crying for our help is sometimes difficult. We are looking forward for when he and Louise can play together! But, we are also his parents, and we should be there to show him how to be creative in his activities.
About a month ago, we took TV away from Gab all together. He was becoming passive and I really think his sleep pattern was affected by his watching television. It was difficult for a couple days and he walked around aimless, but then we saw a night and day difference. He found activities to occupy his time, he was more active in his communication, he even slept better and longer.
I do admit that this week, when I've had the kids by myself for 6 days straight night and day, I have resorted to a couple Disney movies because I needed to pack for our trip or get something done when Etienne wasn't there to help me but at every other moment (and there were lots of them) when I felt the urge to put on TV just so I could get a couple knitting rows in or actually carry on a phone conversation, I instead picked up the keys and headed out the door to the park or to discover a new place in Paris with the kids.
We have found that Gab loves to walk and can walk for hours discovering things and that is a family activity we can all do together. Also, the Leappad activities are wonderful and educational. Gab got some music CDs for his birthday and those, plus books, are becoming replacements for TV. I am also trying to be better about involving him in my activities like watering the plants. So, even if you aren't the school teacher type to find activities, there are several alternatives out there for your kids to do.
The one good thing about the TV is the language. Growing up bilingual is not always easy and since the DVDs were only in English, it did allow him to pick up on a lot of words he otherwise wouldn't have picked up on. But, it's not for that that we'll go back to TV! Now, it's only for special occasions.
Posted by: andie | August 08, 2007 at 11:25 PM
Thanks for sharing your experience Andie. The change in Gab (and you) without television is really interesting. Is Lousie interested in tv?
I think movies are ok every once in awhile. I think it is the regularity that gets dangerous.
It's funny because I am "the school teacher type" when I am in the classroom. I am quick on my feet at coming with creative and spontaneous activities for my students but with Felix I think it is harder because after work I am usually soooo tired. My brain just doesn't want to function anymore and I go into auto-pilot mode. I definitely aim to get more sleep this fall which probably means less time on a computer!
Posted by: Sarah | August 09, 2007 at 12:54 AM
Miss Lous isn't interested at all in TV because we haven't shown her anything! We aren't going to make that mistake with her because it was exactly at her age that we started watching Baby Einstein with Gab. Louise also has other entertainment with Gab around, so that helps.
I can come up with lots of things for the classroom, but for older kids at junior high and high-school. For smaller children, the creativity just isn't there. You've given me lots of great ideas for Gab!
Posted by: andie | August 09, 2007 at 11:47 AM
We are getting rid of our TV since Julien and I don't watch it anymore. Max does get fascinated with the "tv" on my computer when I'm watching a movie for myself. I can see he follows the images. But I think I will keep him away from the TV for as long as I can only letting him watch short things like Sesame Street. I hope to be able to get those on DVD because I grew up watching that and I'd like Max to have the same thing.
I am a big support of constructive distraction. Even at this young age, I find ways to distract Max when he's upset or hungry and I'm not in a situation where I can feed him. The silliest things just come to my mind and they work. I love your idea of basket of distractions in the kitchen. I will keep that one filed away to use later. I would love to get Max in the kitchen at a young age and have him help me mix and set the table together. I remember doing those things with my mother when I was young and they are some of the fondest memories I have. And it's a good distraction from the TV. :)
Posted by: Aimee | August 10, 2007 at 07:06 PM