How much television and video programming do you allow your toddler to watch?

And how about computer games?


Now that we have 2 children, 3yrs and 8 months, we've found our toddler watching more videos than before. Having more than one changes things, can't imagine 3 or more!

How much television and video programming do you allow your toddler to watch?
Don't feel too bad, most of us do it! I believe it's not that good for kids but we usually compensate by encouraging outdoor play %26amp; reading etc when we are able. Just accept that you can't be superdaddy %26amp; mummy %26amp; that sometimes you have to do what you have to do. So long as it's not an around the clock arrangement %26amp; you know that you are doing the very best you can by your kids, then don't feel the guilts.
Reply:I have the tv on way too much but at this point my toddler doesn't really watch it. Only certain commercials get her attention because she likes the music. If she starts sitting and watching, I'll turn it off.
Reply:well the experts say should be less than 2 hrs. but in my house the t.v.'s (we have one in living room ,one in sons room and one in my craft room) are on most of the day the one in the living room and my 8 yr old room are on PBS in morning and then sometimes a movie. most of the time its just white noise they (8yr old and 2 yr) don't watch it much.


we are doing activities or my sons school work.
Reply:My children watch only an hour in the day usually (21/2 and 15 mths) They play together most of the time. although i put a movie on for them to settle them down but that only lasts about 10 minutes!! For some reason my children are not that interested in television.


MAybe when your youngest gets a little older they will start to play together a lot more!!


Just turn it off!! REmember you are the parent and you make the decisions!! So if you think they watch too much and you dont like it, Turn it off!
Reply:My grandchildren are toddlers and the TV is on all day. They like having it on, but do not watch it all the time. My daughter puts in DVD's which they like, they are 1 and 3. No video games are allowed until they are 7 yrs old with a time allowance. Works great for them. The 7 yr old earns video time by reading for 30 minutes. The parents and children seem to like this arrangement.
Reply:I had my children two years apart. I allowed my older child to watch only public programming (Barney, Sesame Street and Lambchop's Playalong). As they go older, I limited their t.v. time to just those shows and thee times a week they could watch a movie (Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, etc). I gave them creative play toys (legos, puzzles, etc). I also read to them, played with them, practiced flash cards with them, etc. The main thing is to get a routine down with them, especially when they start school. This will encourage them to manage their time wisely and it will follow them in to adult hood. My children are now teenagers and need very little supervision when it comes to television, homework and chores. They know what is expected of them and get things done accordingly. They are involved in many activities outside of school and still maintain A-B averages. Good luck!
Reply:I have a 4 year old and she watches about 30-45 minutes of tv a day Mon-Friday at the max and on the weekends about 2 hours combined on Sat %26amp; Sun but we as a household are not real big on tv so it just depends on your family
Reply:I have three kids now aged 6, 4 and 3. Right now they watch about 30 minutes of the Noggin channel before school, and then they get an hour before bed.





There were definitely days though I felt like they watched TV all day, when they were younger, especially in the winter. When you've got young children, you got to do what works. Once they get older and are in school, etc. it cuts down their TV time significantly. HOpe this helps!!
Reply:the recomendation for young children(over 2's) is no more than 2 hours of t.v. and computer time.
Reply:well i have 3. They watch Noggin in the morning which is very educational so i dont worry. My 5yr old plays on the computer about an hour a day. math and spelling games and she loves it. My 2 yr old watched his movies and noggin pretty much all day when he isnt running around. My 8 month old is sitting watching dora right now! As long as the shows and games are educational and they still get outside play time, DONT WORRY ABOUT IT. Theyll be fine.