Professionals say video for children under 2 is bad, "Since 1999, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that children under two years of age watch no television, and that children over two limit their viewing." (Simplicity Parenting p. 170)
Whole countries have agreed, "France banned its broadcasters from airing TV shows aimed at children under three years of age, stating: "Television viewing hurts the development of children under three years old and poses a certain number of risks, encouraging passivity, slow language acquisition, over-excitedness, troubles with sleep and concentration, as well as dependence on screens."
Simplicity Parenting by M.Ed Kim John Payne believe only 6% of Americans are aware of the AAP recommendations, companies such as Disney, Warner Bros., and Fisher-Price have not been hampered in marketing an explosion of so-called "educational" video programs--such as Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby-designed for babies and toddlers. Payne is an unbeliever; however, as a secular godless man even he is concerned about the negative effect of video viewing for kids. He sees the driving force behind media for kids is money, not your child's educational success.
If unbelievers are concerned, what should believers be? Do we not hold a higher standard? As a Christian parent, I have taken these professional opinions to heart. But its hard! My baby Abigail watched Elmo at this age... but she had just as much fun sitting right here looking outside! And yes this is an ANCIENT digital photo.
Many parents find it difficult to resist giving a tablet or a phone to their babies and toddlers. So what are some realistic goals we can reach today?
1. If you are going to give media to your child, make it Christian.
2. Try to avoid using screens to help you parent for the under 2 year olds.
3. Find the times that are most important to you, to use a screen, be intentional and careful regarding your use, and don't use it at any other time.
1. If you are going to give media to your child, make it Christian. Here are some resources for you... age 4 seems to be at time when most parents begin the Sesame street routine...what about trying some of these? Begin spiritual training early. Use discernment regarding the intensity of each show. Some boys and girls become afraid very easily. You don't want to desensitize them. A few shows are old, but free on youtube and good:
Praise baby
Super book 1981
The Donut Man
Animated Stories of the New Testament
Veggie Tales (Some have too much peril ex. Jonah, so be careful.)
Auto B Good
Davey & Goliath 1960
Flizbins
2. Try to avoid using screens to help you parent for the under 2 year olds. It is so easy to give a phone to a child or a tablet, or set their chair in front of a screen. Rather than train an older child to sit with their baby sibling, or give them music to go to sleep by, we give them a screen. Rather than teach the child to play quietly, we give them a phone. I believe that attentiveness to your child's needs and personality and training is ALL YOU NEED to avoid screens.
3. Find the times that are most important to you, to use a screen, be intentional and careful regarding your use, and don't use it at any other time. I was not legalistic regarding the above recommendations. However, I severely limited when and where my child sat in front of a screen. My high stress time was before dinner. When I only had one child, or a baby and a toddler, that was when I put on ONE show. And I made that 1/2 hour count.
I did use video during potty training times when I had one child. There is enough excitement in the house when I had more children to entertain that child while he sits and sits. LOL
I avoided putting kids to bed with a screen. Isn't it so much better to put on quiet music and quiet lights? Isn't it better to read a story snuggling with them? I have seen the negative results the French were complaining about first hand with screen to bed methods.
Another reason to choose screen time carefully and use Christian media is that its a huge power tool for spiritual training. But you can water the message down with a barrage of non-Christian media. And it will lose its strength. Let's remember we are in a battle with the world and its ideas, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
Wholesome movies site:
https://www.visionvideo.com/
www.aboverubies.org Search "movies"
Other posts on media:
Top 10 Reasons why your Middleschooler should not play 18+ hours of video games per week
Whole countries have agreed, "France banned its broadcasters from airing TV shows aimed at children under three years of age, stating: "Television viewing hurts the development of children under three years old and poses a certain number of risks, encouraging passivity, slow language acquisition, over-excitedness, troubles with sleep and concentration, as well as dependence on screens."
Simplicity Parenting by M.Ed Kim John Payne believe only 6% of Americans are aware of the AAP recommendations, companies such as Disney, Warner Bros., and Fisher-Price have not been hampered in marketing an explosion of so-called "educational" video programs--such as Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby-designed for babies and toddlers. Payne is an unbeliever; however, as a secular godless man even he is concerned about the negative effect of video viewing for kids. He sees the driving force behind media for kids is money, not your child's educational success.
If unbelievers are concerned, what should believers be? Do we not hold a higher standard? As a Christian parent, I have taken these professional opinions to heart. But its hard! My baby Abigail watched Elmo at this age... but she had just as much fun sitting right here looking outside! And yes this is an ANCIENT digital photo.
Many parents find it difficult to resist giving a tablet or a phone to their babies and toddlers. So what are some realistic goals we can reach today?
1. If you are going to give media to your child, make it Christian.
2. Try to avoid using screens to help you parent for the under 2 year olds.
3. Find the times that are most important to you, to use a screen, be intentional and careful regarding your use, and don't use it at any other time.
1. If you are going to give media to your child, make it Christian. Here are some resources for you... age 4 seems to be at time when most parents begin the Sesame street routine...what about trying some of these? Begin spiritual training early. Use discernment regarding the intensity of each show. Some boys and girls become afraid very easily. You don't want to desensitize them. A few shows are old, but free on youtube and good:
2. Try to avoid using screens to help you parent for the under 2 year olds. It is so easy to give a phone to a child or a tablet, or set their chair in front of a screen. Rather than train an older child to sit with their baby sibling, or give them music to go to sleep by, we give them a screen. Rather than teach the child to play quietly, we give them a phone. I believe that attentiveness to your child's needs and personality and training is ALL YOU NEED to avoid screens.
3. Find the times that are most important to you, to use a screen, be intentional and careful regarding your use, and don't use it at any other time. I was not legalistic regarding the above recommendations. However, I severely limited when and where my child sat in front of a screen. My high stress time was before dinner. When I only had one child, or a baby and a toddler, that was when I put on ONE show. And I made that 1/2 hour count.
I did use video during potty training times when I had one child. There is enough excitement in the house when I had more children to entertain that child while he sits and sits. LOL
I avoided putting kids to bed with a screen. Isn't it so much better to put on quiet music and quiet lights? Isn't it better to read a story snuggling with them? I have seen the negative results the French were complaining about first hand with screen to bed methods.
Another reason to choose screen time carefully and use Christian media is that its a huge power tool for spiritual training. But you can water the message down with a barrage of non-Christian media. And it will lose its strength. Let's remember we are in a battle with the world and its ideas, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
Wholesome movies site:
https://www.visionvideo.com/
www.aboverubies.org Search "movies"
Other posts on media:
Top 10 Reasons why your Middleschooler should not play 18+ hours of video games per week
2 comments:
New Life Community Church has provided free access to Right Now Media for the congregation. This website is like Netflix for Christian media. Access it for free to provide Chrisitian media for your kids at a range of ages: http://newlifechicago.org/NewsDetail?newsId=11007
Also, for the older kids, Amazon Prime gives access to Focus on the Family's "Adventures in Odyssey" and Vision Video's "Torchlighters" animated series about Christian missionaries.
sweet...My kids love Adventures in Odyssey...esp on cartrips... The Torchlighters are excellent, but maybe for over 4 years old? There are some scary scenarios where faith triumphs. What else have you watched Jess thru the right now media?
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