Under 2's and TV

milliebear00001

Person_one wrote: »

Its not the points you're making that are the problem, its the language. Telling people they've missed the point when they actually just disagree with you, or calling their opinions 'sad' is not very helpful.

I completely agree with you on the importance of one on one time in early years, I just think you're focusing far too much on screens and technology, there's an awful lot more to it and just taking away the screens in a lot of houses won't make those parents any more skilled or interested.

I agree there are other reasons alongside screentime, but I do happen to think it's an important factor because this is the difference I have seen in the children I have taught over the last five years or so, and I know, from talking with many other Reception and KS1 teachers, that they see it commonly too.

I do think my point was missed in several of the posts by onlyroz. I don't actually think we necessarily disagree at all in fact. She has though, misinterpreted several of my posts as in some way suggesting that I only value things that are 'old fashioned' or that are not technology based, or having a problem with screens per se. None of which I have ever said.

Person_one

dizziblonde wrote: »

Add in kids convinced that the Disney version is the ONLY true and accurate version of many fairytales!

Snow White was made in 1937, Cinderella in 1950, Sleeping Beauty in 1959 and even The Little Mermaid was 23 years ago, in 1989.

Blimey, now I feel old!

Person_one

milliebear00001 wrote: »

I agree there are other reasons alongside screentime, but I do happen to think it's an important factor because this is the difference I have seen in the children I have taught over the last five years or so, and I know, from talking with many other Reception and KS1 teachers, that they see it commonly too.

You've only been teaching 5 years?

milliebear00001

Person_one wrote: »

You've only been teaching 5 years?

No, but that is the timespan over which I have observed the biggest difference in the oral ability of children coming into Reception.

Person_one

milliebear00001 wrote: »

No, but that is the timespan over which I have observed the biggest difference in the oral ability of children coming into Reception.

Has there been a demographic change in the area perhaps? There are lots of things that could contribute to the change. Over a period as short as 5 years it could just be a blip!

POPPYOSCAR

I must admit I was shocked to see the TV always on in the background for my grandchildren and did not really think it a good idea.

However, my granddaughter at the age of 2 can count past 10 knows all the numbers,colours and shapes, and can sign. Her vocabulary never ceases to amaze me and she has conversations with me way past her years.She knows her way around an Iphone where I would not have a clue.She also loves books, painting,music and dancing.

So I really cannot say TV has held her back in anyway, shape or form.

mrcow

milliebear00001 wrote: »

I wish this were true. I know of several preschoolers with a bedroom TV, and many parents who find it useful to lull their child to sleep.

Urgh, I hate that.

Even worse are the ones who teach their children to sit at the table and eat their dinner with the TV/DVDs permanently on. Then they wonder why they can't get their children to sit nicely at a table when they are elsewhere.

My kids don't watch TV daily. It's on a couple of times a week. I know plenty of parents who wouldn't be able to cope with my set up as they've grown far too reliant on the tv as a childminding tool.

The easy option isn't always the best.

Nicki

Person_one wrote: »

Snow White was made in 1937, Cinderella in 1950, Sleeping Beauty in 1959 and even The Little Mermaid was 23 years ago, in 1989.

Blimey, now I feel old!

But the first home video recorder was sold in 1971 and they didn't become common place until quite a bit later. So whilst kids might have seen the Disney version once in a cinema from the 1930s onwards, they wouldn't have been watching them over and over again and supplanting the oral or written version of the fairy tales much before the early 1980's.

Person_one

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I must admit I was shocked to see the TV always on in the background for my grandchildren and did not really think it a good idea.

However, my granddaughter at the age of 2 can count past 10 knows all the numbers,colours and shapes, and can sign. Her vocabulary never ceases to amaze me and she has conversations with me way past her years.She knows her way around an Iphone where I would not have a clue.She also loves books, painting,music and dancing.

So I really cannot say TV has held her back in anyway, shape or form.

Its really all about the parents.

I know a very self-consciously middle class family. No TV, organic food, only wooden toys no plastic etc etc. Well they still didn't talk to or play with their children enough, they still didn't spend enough one on one time with them despite the fact that they never got to watch teletubbies.

Doing all the 'right' or currently fashionable stuff doesn't make you a good parent, letting them watch TV doesn't mean you don't also do lots of other stuff with them!

TV bad, no TV good is waaay oversimplifying it.

milliebear00001

Person_one wrote: »

Has there been a demographic change in the area perhaps? There are lots of things that could contribute to the change. Over a period as short as 5 years it could just be a blip!

To see such a large and widespread change is not a blip in my view, although the changes have been going on, in a more subtle way for a ot longer. Mine is a very wealthy, professional area. We get a lot of children who spend a long time in nursery, which does worry me also (depending on the quality of care), but then we always have done. these are parents who care about education, read to their children etc. What they often don't do, is spend large amounts of time talking with them.

Other schools and nurseries have far bigger problems than I do though, and my experience is that in poorer areas, children often (though not always) spend far longer on screens than is good for them. This is often openly discussed by the parents if you ask them: "loves the DS - can't get him off it", "better on the Xbox than I am!" sorts of comments. If you ask the children what they were doing the night before, it's often gaming/watching TV etc.

I don't have a particular problem with school-age kids using screens in moderation. It is a particular problem with preschoolers though, who really need so much more talk time and really don't benefit from a screen at all.