Poll -- tv, computer, and educational toys?

Question

I'm interested in changing notions of how best to further a child's development.

1. at what age do you consider it in a child's best interests to watch tv? (note that I don't mean in their best interests just because it preserves mom's sanity or allows her time to make dinner, though I certainly can relate to that).

2. what's your opinion of tv or videos marketed as being educational (like Baby Einstein or SuperWhy)

2. at what age do you consider it in a child's best interest to have time to play on the computer or use the internet?

4. how important to a child's development do you consider toys marketed as "educational"? What do you consider to be an "educational" toy? Are you more likely to buy a toy marketed as educational?

5. which do you consider more educational for a toddler -- traditional toys like blocks, dolls, pretend props, balls, crayons, etc. or toys that teach abcs, 123s, colors, etc.?

6. how much time a day do you spend reading to your child?

Answer 1

1.) I believe at around age 18 months is when a child can really "benefit" from watching TV at times.  At that age they can keep their attention on a 20-30 minute program.  I don't believe or advocate TV as being a 100% beneficial thing but it does allow them to see and learn certain things interactively with you.  It also can be fun for them.

2.) I think that video marketing for educational things is overrated.  You can educate your child just as much by using homemade picture cards or using real objects to relate to colors and shapes.  I prefer interacting with my child because there is no toy that will make your child smarter.  I use both play time and nature to teach our toddler.  Apples are red, banana begins with a B, things like that are classic.  But Baby Einstein can be fun and educational.  My toddler loves Super Why and has learned to recognize words and objects with that show too.

3.) I believe that once they need to use the computer for school projects is when it's in my child's best interest to use the computer.  I'm not much for computer games though because they can become addicting, lol.

4.) I would be more inclined to buy a toy labeled "educational" because of the educational aspects, but I also believe in education and play time being two separate times.  You can have fun and learn, but I think play time should be just that...play time.  You can learn even through play time however I think it's important to let kids be kids too.

5.) Blocks, dolls and fun toys are my personal picks for my toddler.  I think that too many parents are trying to force their children to learn more at a younger and younger age.  A toddler's learning time *is* their play time.  Sure it's great to introduce ABC's and 123's, but don't push it at that young of an age.  They have plenty of time to learn that in preschool.

6.) I spend about 15 minutes a day reading with my toddler.  It's broken up since I have a 7 week old, but we read a book here and there all throughout the day and we enjoy that time together.

Interesting question!~ I'll star that!

Answer 2

1. at what age do you consider it in a child's best interests to watch tv?

Most TV is just brain junk..BUT their can be some very educational bits...Any age, a 3 year old can learn something from Tom & Jerry..just as a 15 yr old can learn something from the Rikki lake show.

2. what's your opinion of tv or videos marketed as being educational (like Baby Einstein or SuperWhy)

I don't think they play a grand role in the education of a child.

2. at what age do you consider it in a child's best interest to have time to play on the computer or use the internet?

I don't think their is any real need for a child to be on the net...Playstation can help with a childs co-ordination, but it IS addictive..I was addicted at one point.lol

4. how important to a child's development do you consider toys marketed as "educational"? What do you consider to be an "educational" toy? Are you more likely to buy a toy marketed as educational?

No...I think the other toys like dolls for example lets the child use their imagination & think outside the 'educational box' abit...and that's important.

5. which do you consider more educational for a toddler -- traditional toys like blocks, dolls, pretend props, balls, crayons, etc. or toys that teach abcs, 123s, colors, etc.?

The 1st option (blocks, dolls, pretend props, balls, crayons)

I personally think these toys are more interesting & enjoyable for playtime, also the child gets to use their imagination. They can learn those other more practical things when it's time to study

6. how much time a day do you spend reading to your child?

I am not sure if I should read to her...maybe I should try to get her to read her OWN bedtime stories.

Answer 3

1. I am a firm believer in no TV until after age 3- all 3 of our children didn't watch TV until after age 3 and the 2 oldest that are in school are excellent readers/writers. Our kids are allowed 1 hour of TV per day.

2. I do not believe that videos targeting children under 3 are in any way helpful.

3. Again, after age 3 I think introducing the computer to a child is fine. Our children are allowed 1/2 hour of computer time per day.

4. I really don't look at the labels to see if a toy is considered educational. I tend to be drawn towards toys that don't require batteries, and definitely not any sort of computer-type toys marketed for little ones. I buy blocks, paint, play-doh, dolls, dress-up clothing, anything that my children will use their BRAINS and use their imagination.

5. I believe that traditional toys such as blocks, dolls, etc.. are more educational.

6. I spend over an hour per day reading to each of our 3 children, but they also spend much time looking at and reading books on their own. They have been read to since before being born and all 3 have an inate love of reading!

Answer 4

Well I've taken care of kids for more years then I care to think about and tried all sorts of things for them.

1: It depends on the kid and how much information they pick up.  My 15 month old neice picks up lots of information and likes shows where they sing, dance or dora who doesn't do that but speaks spanish which she likes for some reason.

2: The videos made to 'make' kids smarter can't really do that.  Some kids brains just can't process the information at the same rate and some of these videos are for when the baby's are young.

3: Once again it depends on the age of the kid and ability level.  One nephew was 3/4 when he used the computer to play games and is a wiz somewhat now.  He also could work other things by that age.  Age appropriate games for sure though.  For the internet definately not until they can read and spell and then only with restrictions from certain sites.

4: It depends on the toy.  Ones that teach letters, numbers, colors are good.  Ones that just teach hand eye cordination, how to touch things or listen you don't need to waste money on unless you're that bad of a parent you can't come up with stuff on your own.

5: Hands down traditional toys.  They learn how to do hand eye cordination with the blocks, dolls they can learn to zipper, tie, button, etc.  They can learn their colors, shapes and to write their names with crayons.  

6: Don't spend much time reading but if you give kids books to explore then they'll want to hear a story on their own.  Some even learn to read that way.

Answer 5

1.  At the age where a child shows interest.  Entertainment isn't a bad thing.  It's good for a child to learn how to deal with what's out there in the world, to learn how to think critically & to just let loose & relax sometimes.  

2. I used to think that they were ridiculous, but then we got one for our son's baby shower.  We never got it out & would laugh about it.  But then, one day, we decided to put it on while we were feeding him his baby food, as he sat in his bouncy seat.  He loved it.  His eyes lit up.  And, who knows, maybe he learned something while he was watching it.  

3. Same as TV - when he shows interest in it.  Let them learn when they are geeked about the subject & they will learn so much more & so much more quickly.  

4. Not more likely to buy educational toys.  Not less likely, really, either.  Just depends on what we're looking for at the time.  Sometimes you buy a toy for some imaginative fun.  Sometimes you buy a toy that helps you to find a path that helps your child learn.

5. As above - some of each.  All toys can be educational and all toys can be used for other purposes than they were intended.  

6. Depends on the day.  We shoot for 15 minutes minimum.  Some days it's more.  Some days, the fun or work doesn't stop long enough for reading.

Answer 6

1. Kindergarten age and older.

2. I personally am not a fan. I see the commerical for Baby Eistein from time and time and laugh at the woman sitting on the couch with her baby watching the program. Are you kidding me? You can't think of anything better to do with your baby? Kids learn SO MUCH MORE by you interacting with them and develop skills A LOT faster.

3. 8ish. In today's world, kids need to know how to use the computer and they're hand writing things less and less. I'm a teacher and over the last couple of years I've been told more and more to have the kids type their homework. The amount of time should be limited though and parents should know what they're doing on the computer.

4. What I consider "educational toys" are things that "interact" with a child. Something that sings the alphabet, says the name of the number when they push it, asks them to push, pull etc certain colors etc. What I think is the most educational are simple toys: dolls, blocks, paint etc. They allow a child to use their imagination, improve motor skills etc which is just as important as knowing your letters and numbers. Everyone has a different opinion on what is education and what isn't. The little label on the box is just that: an opinion.

5. Traditional toys are more educational in my opinion for toddlers BY FAR. Your child is going to develop motor skills from a toys that teaches the alphabet but they will from scribbling with crayons or catching a ball. They're learn their numbers much faster by counting blocks in their hand and building with them than they will listening to something count. I also find it hard to sit with my kid and play/interact with one of those toys. We live in an electronic world....but simple toys are way better my opinion.

6. I read to my kids for 15-30mins a night. Sometimes a little more during the day. My older two read for a little while longer on their own before the go to sleep.

Best Wishes =]

Answer 7

1. I'd say age 4, but do not let the TV babysit the kids either. Also, I grew up on cartoons and I am not an idiot as a result of it. Let young kids watch what they want as long as it's not too mature for them.

2. They're fun and good, but they should not replace parental involvement. You, as the parent, are your child's first and most important teacher.

3. Any age is fine, but for young kids you should monitor them. As for teens, they should be able to do as they please online as long as it's not causing damage to the PC or costing too much money. Talk to them about online safety and talk to them about not giving out personal info.

4. I'd buy toys for them to play with, whether educational or not. Everything can serve an educational purpose in life.

5. It doesn't matter to me honestly. If they have fun playing with them, I'd let them.

6. I don't have kids, but if I did, I would definitely spend a great deal reading with them and teaching them to read.

Answer 8

1. As late as you can get away with. I think it's best to keep them off tv as long as you can.

I let my almost 2 year old watch a few things that he's interested in. He likes Thomas, so we watch a dvd with songs. He also likes monster trucks, so I recorded a truck show which we watch sometimes.

2. I think they're more hype than anything. Kids learn from real life experiences, not from the 2 dimensional tv.

3. Not sure, my son's nowhere near ready for that yet. But probably around age 5.

4. Having something marked "educational" doesn't make me more likely to buy it. My son has 2 leap frog toys that were both gifts that he rarely plays with.

5. Traditional toys that teach cause and effect and real experiences are best. For teaching colors and shapes, we play with blocks and shape sorters, etc.

6. About a total of 30 min. He's a busy bee toddler so we don't read as much as we used to or as I would like.

Answer 9

1---All the literature I've read says that it's actually harmful for a baby to be put in front of a tv before they're 2.  This is not to say I won't have the tv on ever as I interact with my baby, but I won't be directing her to look at it before she's 2.  I'll probably breastfeed so that she's angled away from it.

2--The dvds marketed towards babies as "educational" have all been pretty much proven to be pointless.  I am, however, a HUGE fan of shows like the old Sesame Street (which we're buying on dvd) and I'm tivoing Reading Rainbow and making dvd's of that in case it's not still in re-runs when she's little.  When she is two, that's what I'll let her watch.  I really am not a fan of most "educational" tv these days and Dora makes me want to take a spork to my own eyes.

3-I think computers have value when the child is old enough to actually learn about keyboarding and the information it can convey.  Probably pre-school/K is when we'll take some time and start to teach her, and at some point in 1rst we'll let her have restricted time on a public computer.  I haven't begun to evaluate software that is aimed at pre-schoolers to teach phonemic awareness but I may add one or two to our library--I just don't necessarily believe it has more merit than other methodologies of teaching those same principles.

4-As an educator, I understand the marketing ploy of labelling something as educational.  I think that dolls are very educational, but few are actually called that.  I think that some educational toys have merit (leap frog comes to mind immediately) and we have bought the baby a few toys that count or say the alphabet.  Mostly I look at toys and try to figure out if I think they're appropriate or have value regardless of their label.

5-I think toddlers get a ton out of conventional toys, which teach them to use their imaginations.  Toys that teach have their place, but not a huge one.  There is no substitute for time with an adult who is actively engaging them in the world around them.

6-Our baby is still in utero, so we read a book or two a day to her, talk to her and just try to bond with her.  Both of us have master's degrees and are voracious readers in our right, so the baby already has close to 20 books (and I'm only in my 22nd week tomorrow) and we're buying the bookcase before the crib, so that's our priority.  As a teacher, I'm a huge preacher of reading daily with your child.

Answer 10

1.  When they're in Elementary school, and only to watch educational programing.

2.  Baby Einstein doesn't seem that educational.  I haven't had much time to evaluate other programs.

3. Elementary school, but only with adult supervising.

4.  I think most toys are educational.  I think See-N-Say's, musical toys, counting toys, and building blocks are important to a child's development no matter what their gender is.

5.  I think all those toys are important because they teach different skills important to child development.  

6.  My baby isn't born yet, but I plan on reading to her a lot, maybe 30 minutes to an per day.

Answer 11

1. Maybe ages 1 to 6. There are many shows on Disney and PBS that can educate child. Not to mention all of the DVDs that have educational lesson within them.

2. I like them. They are not just draining your child's brain, they teach them as they watch.

3. Age 6-8 for educational games as CD-Roms.

Maybe 8-10, at the youngest for the Internet. Which would include blocks on all websites that are inappropriate.

4. Some educational toys are good, but others are useless. My daughters both love the leap frog line of educational toys.

5. Both. They both teach different skills that a child will need in the future.

6. We have two daughters ages 6 and 2. We read them a book every afternoon and they each are read a book before they go to bed. They love the Bernstein Bears.

Answer 12

1. at what age do you consider it in a child's best interests to watch tv? (note that I don't mean in their best interests just because it preserves mom's sanity or allows her time to make dinner, though I certainly can relate to that).

       I don't really think there is a age, but my children and niece have all watched tv since they were about a year.

2. what's your opinion of tv or videos marketed as being educational (like Baby Einstein or SuperWhy)

    I am not too sure, my kids watched Baby Einstein, but I am not the biggest fan of it.  I do like WordWorld, I think that is an educational tv show, and my daughters have learned to spell a lot of words from that show.

2. at what age do you consider it in a child's best interest to have time to play on the computer or use the internet?

       At 3, my girls were getting on the computer by themselves, and playing on noggin, and nickjr or whatever.  I think its no different that TV, and this world is just getting more and more technology advanced.

4. how important to a child's development do you consider toys marketed as "educational"? What do you consider to be an "educational" toy? Are you more likely to buy a toy marketed as educational?

    They aren't important, I think.  It really does not make me more likely to buy it. Every toy is educational, it teaches something, or you can learn by playing.  Play is one of the most estaniels things in a toddler and preschoolers development. We have "educational" toys, but they were bought as my girls wanted them, I thought they would like them, or they were gifts.  

5. which do you consider more educational for a toddler -- traditional toys like blocks, dolls, pretend props, balls, crayons, etc. or toys that teach abcs, 123s, colors, etc.?

     Traditional toy.

6. how much time a day do you spend reading to your child?

    A couple hours a day, it use to be more but they are growing up, and wanting to read themselves.

Answer 13

1)Never, if they need current events they have books and newspapers.

2)Personally my kids didn't like any of it. For some it may work, my attitude is the parent should be teaching it...not a video.

3)Never, play time is needed outside being active, or doing activities(crafts ect.)...not sitting on their butt.

4)I don't see educational toys having any bearing, other than as an aid to teaching the basics...flashcards are just as effective.

5)Abc's 123's,colors, shapes, language, writing, spelling ect.

6) Between my husband and I combined at least 2 hours a day. Sometimes more, depending on what our schedule is like. We've done this since pregnancy(reading to the belly).