Parents, do you think t.v is educational or not?

Question

I think some shows for children are educational, like Dora, Diego and that sprout channel with the wiggles etc. I'm not saying to be glued to the t.v all day, but what do you think? Do young children learn from these shows?

Answer 1

While TV was definitely a babysitter while I took a quick shower or I took out the garbage, I always inserted my own reinforcement or interpretation while I watched the shows right along with them, and I still do. There are lots of life lessons that can only be taught if I am sitting there to help them understand - I am not real big on the TV as the sole teacher, but as an aid that can sometimes be much more entertaining and imaginative while teaching an important concept. I welcome the input, but it is not a substitution. Passive learning only has so much value, but I would never say it has no value.

Answer 2

It can be, although I avoided Dora - they didn't learn anything from it other than to shout a lot. I only let them watch channels with no adverts when they were little. So that ruled nearly all but CBeebies out. However, I don't like them watching pure educational programmes, I liked them to watch cartoons that are teaching them absolutely nothing too - TV isn't a pure educational thing, and I don't let them watch a great deal of it a day, so I feel happy letting them watch daft stuff sometimes to chill out. Peppa Pig has got to be a fave - teaches them no maths or anything, but it does show them some lovely family interactions tbh. Nemo was aother fabulous thing for them to watch - admittedly that's a huge chunk of TV, but we always sat down together and watched a film, so it was more of a family "event" than anything - particularly useful when they stopped napping in the daytime - made them chiiillll.

Answer 3

I do. I wouldn't depend on it for a teaching tool. I keep the tv on Nick jr all day. I play with my son but sometimes I daydream off into my own world for like 20 minutes. I got my son an animal book to learn animals and he knew like 80% of them already (Diego I guess?). He says words sometimes that I don't say enough for him to pick up, such as bubbles. He does learn from these shows but the shows are more supplemental. There are so many things in the house to count, but they are always counting on those shows.

Answer 4

My two year old daughter really likes Mickey Mouse Club House and the Fresh Beat Band. I don't let her just chill in front of the TV all day, but while she's eating her breakfast or right before bed we watch a little. I think that some TV shows actually have a lot of value. I try to read to her though instead if I can or we listen to music.

Answer 5

Some shows like the ones you suggest can be educational. Many are just entertainment and some are a negative influence on young children. Parents need to regulate what and how much young children watch TV.

Answer 6

I think they do learn from them and when used as a teaching tool they are very effective. But that requires the parent to actually watch and talk with the child about the show not just use it as a babysitter ( although thats ok too in moderation).

Answer 7

There are many educational shows out there. Some of my kids have really been helped with reading and counting by watching certain PBS shows, or become interested in science from them. But it's still wise to limit screen time and let them be creative and play other ways.

Answer 8

Used in moderation and with parental involvement I think it can be a very useful tool. My son's just turned 2 and we watch Baby TV (on Sky in UK) for about an hour every day - his favourite programme is Louie's World which has a different theme every day - everything from colours and shapes to transport, kitchen items, parts of the body, animals etc etc. I think that, whatever you watch, it's important to discuss it with your child after the programme and build on what they've learned.

Answer 9

In moderation I think the TV can be great. I also do think that some shows help teach kids things. I know my son knows so much about different animals just from watching diego.

Answer 10

I think that t.v is good in moderation, but the best way for kids to learn is from conversations with you and plenty of time exploring outside

Answer 11

Yes, my 2 yo daughter learned all of her shapes from the shapes episode of blues clues, and that moose on nick jr. After I taught her letters and numbers we moved on to shapes, but she already knew them and than I found out why when she was watching that episode of blues clues lol.

Answer 12

Television can be a wonderful resource for children, if moderated in both quality and quantity. We use television for education and entertainment, sometimes simultaneously.

Answer 13

Sure they learn thing from educational programming. Everything in moderation. FWIW, I've learned some great things from Sponge Bob. :)

Answer 14

We watch curious george & my daughter learns a lot from it. She also likes word world, aurthur & veggie tales

Answer 15

No, sorry. I do not think of any shows as being educational. Even Dora and Diego. Its really not actually teaching anything.

Answer 16

kids can learn from tv.



but in general they can learn better from a person who is responsive to them, can answer questions, etc. there is a reason we don't just sit kids at school in front of a tv.

Answer 17

Yes, i do. My son has learned so much from Nick Jr.