My daughter loves to watch Playhouse Disney. I like how many of these shows promote cooperation, teamwork, music appreciation, community service and friendship. My daughter's vocabulary is also increasing after watching these shows. Today, while watching Handy Manny, she turns to me and says, "Mommy, Manny said that those vegetables are succulent." I don't think I ever heard my older boys use that word! Lately, my husband and I have been noticing how many new words she has added to her conversation. Gratefully, she seems to be a sponge when it comes to adding to her vocabulary. It's funny how she corrects the boys too. One of my sons said to her, "Is your tummy rumbling?" Her response with a matter of fact look on her face, "You should say stomach, not tummy." We may have a little teacher on our hands :)
I know many parents who are concerned about the negative impact of television on children. I agree that parents have to be television watchdogs. I'm happy to report that there are some great educational and social benefits to watching quality children's programming. Another quick example. I'm a big fan of van Gogh. There are a number of his prints around my house. While watching Little Einsteins, my daughter looks over at me and says, "Mom, the Einsteins are talking about our favorite painter, van Gogh. See, they are looking at the Starry Night picture." It's nice to know that she is learning something valuable while I'm doing some housework. I think I have a little less guilt now about letting her watch TV.
Considering how fast she picks up words, I better make sure that she's not in the room when my husband is watching any movie filled with "colorful" street words. I don't need those kind of words slipping into her conversation. That would turn heads at the bus stop!!
16 comments:
I admit my kids have been exposed to more "colorful street words" than they should, but I figure better to learn them at home, than 'on the streets', no? ;)
I gave up the guilt about TV a long time ago. I'm pretty liberal about TV, and honestly, I don't see many negative effects. Like you said, parent's should monitor content, but everything in moderation is a good motto, I think! :)
Tv is so different for kids now then when we were kids. Go rent the Smurfs or Rainbow Bright and then compair it to Dora or some other show like it. Man...what a difference.
Lil loves Playhouse Disney too. he watches those shows almost every night and i will have to agree with you about those new words learned from watching them. he will in fact start off with Mickey Mouse and friends to Handy Manny back to back. and i agree with Rachel, parents should monitor content and watch in moderation. :)
It sounds like tv is a great educational tool in your house. Like so much, if it's used and managed in a thoughtful manner, with supervision and consideration given to the programming, it can be so beneficial.
We allow some "video" watching in our house. We don't have TV - no cable or tuner. My son has asthma and he has to do breathing treatments 1-2 times a day and the only way to get him to sit still the 10 minutes (an eternity for a toddler) is to put on a show. Since we've started letting him watch Baby Einsteins he sits perfectly fine for us. Our pediatrician said at his age an hour of educational TV is fine. She does not recommend more until he is older as supposedly it increases chances of autism. Although, I'm finding just about everything increases chances for autism
Thanks for sharing - your daughter sounds very precocious.
I really appreciate this post. There really is wonderful children's programming out there. We watch PBS a lot and I too like Little Einsteins. My little 22 month old is getting more and more interested in letters...pointing at them and so I will tell him their names. I can't wait until he decides to talk more, though. He's still babbling on in jibberish-language. But he seems to get interested in things more because of quality children's programs.
Of course your daughter is more interested in the language thing- girls are such chatters. :)
That is awesome! I love it! It is amazing how much they pick up!
there are a lot of great kids shows. My middle child can repeat and remembers everything he hears. it is a bit freakish, actually.
TV has come a long way in educating kids. It's so awesome that there are so many great kid shows and that your daughter is expanding her vocabulary!
The only my son had was Sesame Street and the giant purple dinosaur.
This is so neat! I agree that television watching in moderation with good guidance can be very useful. I love that she is correcting her older brothers!!!
Hey Septembermom,
Your daughter is a super bright!! She has an appetitie for learning which is wonderful.
She's well ahead of the curve
Wow, that's so neat to see. I love seeing the vocabulary that kids come up with sometimes. Mister Man asked me what defective meant today (he was reading a book that had something defective in it, apparently!), which was cute. Succulent is SUCH a great word though. Way cool.
Another great post, Septmom. Your daughter sounds a clever little girl. :-)
I remember those fun-filled days when my two were that age. Not sure what my son was into at that age, but my daughter was into Barney and The Wiggles.
Nice to see that the young one is following in her mom's footsteps.
I was sooo anti-TV for kids, then I had one.
Your daughter sounds like a freakin' cutie!
I agree with you about TV - the educational shows are exactly what they are doing/learning in preschool.
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