2 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Letting your toddler/ infant watch videos or t.v is not going to signal the beginnings of some columbine type nightmare! I guess the crux of the issue is to be selective on their behalf. At such an early age our little'uns are not in a position to make that informed choice as to whether or not to allow mum to continue watching the Rikki Lake show, I'm using this show as an example of the type of t.v you may want to veto in the very young, or if you have an iota of good sense, at any age! What I'm trying to say is, I suppoose watch with caution, my own 19 month old daughter does herself enjoy a bit of pepper pig and bear in the big blue house. I can get a bit of work done, type a couple of peices of e-mail etc Its a bit of an electronic babysitter if truth be told, but as with any baby-sitter you check the credentials first.Pepper Pig et al are no problem, these shows get a firm thumbs up from me and probably legions of busy mothers the world over, they encourage my daughter to question and above all entertain her. They are not lofty educational tomes, they do not pretend to be so, and any normal toddler will only watch solo with any degree of interest for a short time anyway. I also make a point of sitting down with my daughter as I did with all five of my kids, and watching together the shows they're most into. All in the name of research of course! No really, it does help to know what the content of their favourite programme is, you can then expand on it and use it as an aside throughout the day i.e " oh look there's a red car just like Peppa Pig's" I dont see any problem in allowing your child to watch a little t.v or use the internet when they are old enough to do so, my own toddler is at this moment making a bee line for the keyboard, she has recently discovered the highly amusing game of pressing the escape key! She only does this after she has emptied my entire in-tray and pen pot, this is her subtle way of telling me she has had enough of the t.v and of my unavailability to her and its time to play, and on that note I take my leave, I have an appointment with Dora the Explora, adios!

Learn more about this author, Claudia Ward.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is it acceptable to let your baby watch TV and videos?
We want to hear your view. Write now!