Sahail AshrafEncouraging TV Watching??
December 6th 2006 05:45
I took my daughter to her 18-month checkup at the health centre this week. I was yet again astounded by the ‘wonderful’ suggestions made to me. This one was about TV viewing.
All was going well. It was just the usual check up on height, weight, development etc.
Then towards the end, completely out of the blue, the health nurse asked me if my daughter liked The Wiggles (Although at this stage my daughter was being referred to as ‘he’ instead of ‘she’). I’m sure my confusion at the question showed but I replied, “Yes, but she doesn’t really watch much of that type of thing at this age.” The health nurse then, in her glorious wisdom, suggested that I watch these types of programs with my daughter so I can have some time to relax each day.
I’m still at a loss as to why she thought I needed this advice. I didn’t say I was tired or rundown or needed a break. I’d had a decent night’s sleep so I don’t think that I looked overwrought – no bags under the eyes as far as I knew. So why actually suggest to me that I have my daughter watch TV on a daily basis?
It really makes me wonder where some of the health funding comes from. Especially as this was not the only recommendation for TV viewing that came up. I was also handed a sheet on language acquisition and play for 18 month olds. In it there were two quotes from mothers of 18 month olds about what children do at this age. The first one seemed reasonable – it was about her child enjoying the park. The second was about TV viewing. This is the quote:
“I thought little kids shouldn’t really watch TV. But when I sat down with Josh, I could see how much he enjoyed the talking and the songs. So – we don’t watch much TV, but we watch it together.”
Then in the section on play there are three suggestions. One is on pretend play, one is on playdough and painting. But the third is:
“Watch television together …”
I just can’t believe that 18 month olds are actively being encouraged by health centres to be plonked in front of the television. There are a million and one suggestions of things to do with your child, yet watching TV was the main one in the pamphlet. And all this when there is this huge problem of obesity and sedentary lifestyles in today’s society. I just can’t wait until our 2 year old checkup when I can gain some more “valuable” advice.
All was going well. It was just the usual check up on height, weight, development etc.
Then towards the end, completely out of the blue, the health nurse asked me if my daughter liked The Wiggles (Although at this stage my daughter was being referred to as ‘he’ instead of ‘she’). I’m sure my confusion at the question showed but I replied, “Yes, but she doesn’t really watch much of that type of thing at this age.” The health nurse then, in her glorious wisdom, suggested that I watch these types of programs with my daughter so I can have some time to relax each day.
I’m still at a loss as to why she thought I needed this advice. I didn’t say I was tired or rundown or needed a break. I’d had a decent night’s sleep so I don’t think that I looked overwrought – no bags under the eyes as far as I knew. So why actually suggest to me that I have my daughter watch TV on a daily basis?
It really makes me wonder where some of the health funding comes from. Especially as this was not the only recommendation for TV viewing that came up. I was also handed a sheet on language acquisition and play for 18 month olds. In it there were two quotes from mothers of 18 month olds about what children do at this age. The first one seemed reasonable – it was about her child enjoying the park. The second was about TV viewing. This is the quote:
“I thought little kids shouldn’t really watch TV. But when I sat down with Josh, I could see how much he enjoyed the talking and the songs. So – we don’t watch much TV, but we watch it together.”
Then in the section on play there are three suggestions. One is on pretend play, one is on playdough and painting. But the third is:
“Watch television together …”
I just can’t believe that 18 month olds are actively being encouraged by health centres to be plonked in front of the television. There are a million and one suggestions of things to do with your child, yet watching TV was the main one in the pamphlet. And all this when there is this huge problem of obesity and sedentary lifestyles in today’s society. I just can’t wait until our 2 year old checkup when I can gain some more “valuable” advice.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Treat the whole incident with some amusement, it may be a blanket fix it all approach to potential adhd which is so prevalent.
My son was extremely overactive but highly intelligent. On the recommendation of a specialist we started watching TV together, I would sit him on my lap, he would be calm and loved it.
There were plenty of other times for activity and did he go for it, helter skelter, my mother used to call him quicksilver.
He has never been fat, is rather too thin, even now that he is well and truly grown up.
The wiggles do have something to offer and a little TV does have its place. I understand how you feel and your points are very valid.
Expect to receive a lot more unsolicited advice from everywhere as time goes by.
katyzzz
Comment by Candice
Thanks for your advice. I have to admit that my daughter is extremely active. Even as a baby people noticed she was kicking her legs frantically while the other babies just lied there. I do think the health nurse picked up on this.
I do get mad though, and should take on board that maybe I should take it a little less seriously, but like you said there's so much unwanted advice out there. Everyone's very quick to criticise but slow to give you any positive feedback. I need to learn to be tougher but every negative comment I've received since my baby was born I still remember. I'm just over sensitive I guess.
On the TV watching, I don't ban my daughter from watching TV but we watch it very rarely because when I do put it on that's all she wants to do. It became a real problem.
It's interesting you said about it heading off potential adhd, because I read the exact opposite - that TV watching can trigger adhd because of the fast, flickering colour and movement. There are so many opinions out there, hey?
Thanks again for your comments.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I've heard the whole "no screen time before 2 years of age" argument. And I have to say, I didn't have to do much to ensure that my kids didn't watch TV before they were 2 because they just didn't have the attention span to watch very much anyway.
My 13 month old was given a Baby Einstein video for his first birthday. I put on, sat down with him and he didn't watch for more than 2 minutes. I don't know why I thought he would be any different to the others. Momentary lapse of reason.
I don't mind the wiggles so much because they are always dancing and on the move. Also, have you heard of Active Kids? Your 18 month old will be too young for it, but they are 5 minute episodes about exercise and there is a dance routine to get the heart pumping. My 5 year old and 3 year old adore it.
You are absolutely right to be cautious about television, because it can easily get out of hand.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
Thanks for your comments. I hadn't heard of Active Kids. I'll look out for it for when she's a bit older. In her music playgroup class she loves copying the movements to songs so it sounds ideal for her.
I was thinking more about it, and really the health nurse should have been more honest with me about why she made that comment. If she thought my daughter was excessively active she could have said so instead of treating me like a child.
Anyway, I'm going to stick to my guns on the TV watching issue. I don't think it has any value, at this age anyway. I'd rather read a story, give her a massage, a relaxing bath. These things all help calm my little active one down if she needs it.