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Limiting Our Children’s TV Exposure

Someone recently asked me why we are trying to limit Izzy’s exposure to television.  I wanted to share my reasoning behind this decision.  Growing up my family never watched much TV.  At one point, we only had basic cable because my mom disliked television so much.  I remember her saying “you can get a TV in your room when we (my parents) get one in our room.”  Well we all knew this was never going to happen so we eventually give up the argument. 

Now that I am an adult I am so grateful for this value passed on to me by my parents!  I loved playing dress up, library, teacher, etc. growing up with my sister and I am so thankful for these wonderful memories and experiences.

Limiting your Children's TV Exposure

I know this can be a controversial topic and by no means am I trying to tell other mothers/parents what to do.  As I said before I enjoy researching topics that interest me and sharing what I find with my friends.  Ultimately it is an individual choice and what works for one family may not work for another.

Information: Children’s Exposure to Television

  • PBS also has an article about this topic on their website.
  • Lastly, here is an article I found interesting about the issues and effects of TV in early childhood.

I understand we can’t always protect Izzy and one day she will watch TV.  But in the mean time we try to encourage play and interaction as much as possible.  When that fails we reach for Izzy’s favorite toys! Again, this decision is up to individual families, but I wanted to share the reasoning behind our personal decision.

What are your thoughts on television exposure?

Journal References:

  • Council On Communications and Media. “Media Use by Children Younger Than 2 Years.” Pediatrics, 2011-1753 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-1753
  • Kamaruzaman, Jusoff, and Nurul Nadiah Sahimi. “Television and Media Literacy in Young Children: Issues and Effects in Early Childhood.” International Education Studies 2.3 (2009): 151-57.
 
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

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7 Comments

  1. This is very interesting Lauren. I do not have kids as yet, but my husband and I limit our TV exposure 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Blessings 🙂

  2. I definitely agree, I never had a tv in my room growing up and I am so thankful when I look back! I also don’t have kids (yet) but I enjoy hearing all your advice 🙂

  3. This is great! I’m so there with you – my husband and I don’t have a TV (which was marveling to lots of people). We don’t own one because we don’t want the distraction. It’d be so easy to stare at the TV and check out, if we do own one. We’d rather be physically AND mentally there when we’re at home 🙂
    We do want to eventually get some sort of projector to play movies with for the purpose of community though. But anywoo 🙂

    1. That’s so awesome! I wish I could convince my husband to get rid of our TV, but I’m not sure he would like to permanently remove it. What do you enjoy doing instead of watching TV?

    2. We do projects together (we just purchased our first home not too long ago so we have an endless list of things to do), we talk, we go to a coffee shop to catch that one show we follow, we read together (The Bible and/or any book series we’re following at the time)… I’m sure there are other things we do, but I can only think of these right now 😛
      Do you think your husband would like the idea of replacing the TV with a projector?

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