What are the advantages of children watching tv?

Okay.. this comes from someone whose daughter has never watched television and we don't own one... here goes: There are educational programs. Though research has shown that some of these programs don't cause the 'harm" of other kinds of television, they have also not shown to really benefit the child, BUT I hear time and again that parents believe that their children are smarter because they watch these programs and they know their numbers, colors, shapes, etc. due to watching these kinds of programs. It's a really inexpensive baby sitter if you've got the child that zones in on it for hours. There was a post the other day about someone putting their newborn baby in a bouncer and setting them in front of a television. They were able to get TONS done. Also, I read constantly about people feeling like it occupies their toddlers so they don't have to and this allows them time to "get things done." They will be well versed in modern pop culture. They'll know who the latest "Hannah Montana" or "Justin Beiber" are and they will likely be the envy of their friends in pre-school who are "in the know" about television personalities - from Elmo to Yo Gabba Gabba (I have no idea what Yo Gabba Gabba is.. but people talk about it often... people plan entire toddler birthday parties around it!) Finally, It can help stimulate appetite. I have a friend who puts on the television or a video during meal time as she noticed that her child eats more when he's watching a video. Studies on obesity rates in America confirm her observation, you're more likely to eat more if you watch TV while you're eating. I guess it's great training for the future.

TV acts as a baby sitting, it gives you a little bit of peace and quiet to do things around the house, and if you watch TV WITH them, like little einstein they can learn a lot. Unless my son is in pain and needs to be distracted or I am watch little einstein with him I don't want him getting used to watching TV because then it's all they want to do and can often be over stimulating for such a young mind. ..my cousins' son watches 7 hours of TV a day and he doesn't want to do anything else.

They learn to speak sooner and more clearly, gain an early understanding of social interaction and can, with such programmes as Sesame Street, become literate and numerate than would other wise have been the case. On the other hand they should not watch too much television for fear of isolating them.

There is but little advantages for little children in watching television they would give there parents free time to do whatever they want to do, but the disadvantages is much more compared with the advantages judging by what is shown on many tv station today, parent should therefore spend time with the little children, watch tv together so that they can control what there children watch .tv.

my 3 year old can speak a lot of spanish from watchin deigo dora and handy manny which is good as they teach it from about 5 in schools here now so he will be a bit advanced he is counting to 31 and knows all his colours and most shapes also with naming objects. we will watch something together in the morning then that afternoon il do something with him that includes the shapes or colours that were involved counting objects and basic adding and subtracting which is working wonders his pre-school teachers are impressed with how much his learnt as even as a working mum il spend at least 3 hours a day oing activities with him to help ensure he doesnt have problems when he reaches school next year

Well while their occupied,you can get some house cleaning done.Or you can cook without them right at your heals. But I would suggest not too much T.V. because it can cause future health issues.Like eye sight damage or something like that.

my two year old loves to watch countdown, and my partner teaches him the letters and numbers, so if it's educational or funny then too much tv won't hurt them

They're quiet and out of your way. The disadvantages are great and numerous however, so utilize the TV sparingly - treat it as a secret weapon instead of a cure-all. Try to avoid developing favorite shows - suddenly the TV must be on at the same time every day. Not good! If anyone says the word 'educational', punch them in the face. Yes, TV certainly can be educational. But it isn't.

From a personal view i think tv for children can be very educational, my son (who is 2 1/2) watches far to much tv i'll admit somedays if its raining or bad weather he can sit inside and watch tv for ages and other days when it is hot he can be outside playing all day and barely watch 30 mins in the day. He has learnt many things from the tv for example he can spell the word mouse from watching mickey mouse clubhouse and he can speak spanish from watching dora the explorer! One day he fell of his bike and shouted for help in spanish and the only thing he could ever have heard that from is the tv. He also referred to the woods as a 'jungle' which is something he also picked up from dora. No matter what any parent says their children probably watch more tv than they should but what harm does it really do as long as they are watching age appropriate programmes and the tv is not there to substitute for a babysitter then i think its fine :-)