Re: [Always Learning) television!
Isabel
Hi all. I have been on the list for awhile, but this is the first time I¹m
posting. This is the most active list I¹m on and I enjoy reading the posts
so much.
Here is my problem...my oldest son is 5 years old and he loves to watch TV.
We have never had restrictions on television and he watches it a lot (IMO).
He watches for about 2 hours in the morning and another 1 1/2 in the
afternoon, and sometimes in between. It seems that when ever we are home,
he wants the TV on. This ends around three when PBS Kids goes off the air.
He will sometimes request a video at night.
I thought that over time my son would get bored of so much TV, but that has
not been the case. I really want him to self-regulate and I trust that he
knows what he needs, but it seems like way too much TV to me.
I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV? How much TV is too much?
Should I step in and limit TV? How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?
Do unschoolers limit TV? What about when kids get older and parents try to
limit TV? I don¹t want to be the TV Police!
I checked the archives of Always Learning and Unschooling.com and am still
conflicted about this topic.
I look forward to any and all comments.
Thanks, isabel
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
posting. This is the most active list I¹m on and I enjoy reading the posts
so much.
Here is my problem...my oldest son is 5 years old and he loves to watch TV.
We have never had restrictions on television and he watches it a lot (IMO).
He watches for about 2 hours in the morning and another 1 1/2 in the
afternoon, and sometimes in between. It seems that when ever we are home,
he wants the TV on. This ends around three when PBS Kids goes off the air.
He will sometimes request a video at night.
I thought that over time my son would get bored of so much TV, but that has
not been the case. I really want him to self-regulate and I trust that he
knows what he needs, but it seems like way too much TV to me.
I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV? How much TV is too much?
Should I step in and limit TV? How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?
Do unschoolers limit TV? What about when kids get older and parents try to
limit TV? I don¹t want to be the TV Police!
I checked the archives of Always Learning and Unschooling.com and am still
conflicted about this topic.
I look forward to any and all comments.
Thanks, isabel
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pam Hartley
----------
I thought that over time my son would get bored of so much TV, but that has
not been the case. I really want him to self-regulate and I trust that he
knows what he needs, but it seems like way too much TV to me.
----------
If he has other options for things to do, he is self-regulating. Some people
like a lot more TV than others. I personally don't like to have it on unless
I'm watching a specific program (and even then I read a book during the
commercials <g>) but my husband likes to have it on quite a lot. When bored,
he's likely to turn it on and pick some REALLY stupid movie (he likes to
make snide remarks at really stupid movies) halfway in and happily watch
that (and half a dozen other programs at the same time). When I'm bored I'm
likely to read or bake or clean. <g>
So the only thing I would be asking myself is: is he going to the TV because
that's the only interesting thing to do? If yes, time to spend more time out
of the house, or in the house building rocket ships or those cool
science-project valcanos or playing Dinosaurs or whatever his other
interests are. If you're already offering all that, and he still chooses TV,
then it's his real choice (and I cannot even BEGIN to list all the things my
daughters have learned from television. "Good" stuff, too, not just the
names of Pokemon).
----------
I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV? How much TV is too much?
Should I step in and limit TV? How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?
Do unschoolers limit TV? What about when kids get older and parents try to
limit TV? I don¹t want to be the TV Police!
----------
In order asked:
Yes (with caveat of available other choices as above).
Not applicable.
No.
It can't be.
Some do.
I imagine it's quite difficult, in any family where the kids have a
backbone, not just unschoolers.
No, you really don't. ;)
TV is not heroin. Some people like to watch a lot, some a little, some none.
Basically the same with any normal activity. Personal preference should
carry the day.
Put "I think" and "I believe" in front of all my statements, please <g> I'm
too lazy to go back and do it,
Pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I thought that over time my son would get bored of so much TV, but that has
not been the case. I really want him to self-regulate and I trust that he
knows what he needs, but it seems like way too much TV to me.
----------
If he has other options for things to do, he is self-regulating. Some people
like a lot more TV than others. I personally don't like to have it on unless
I'm watching a specific program (and even then I read a book during the
commercials <g>) but my husband likes to have it on quite a lot. When bored,
he's likely to turn it on and pick some REALLY stupid movie (he likes to
make snide remarks at really stupid movies) halfway in and happily watch
that (and half a dozen other programs at the same time). When I'm bored I'm
likely to read or bake or clean. <g>
So the only thing I would be asking myself is: is he going to the TV because
that's the only interesting thing to do? If yes, time to spend more time out
of the house, or in the house building rocket ships or those cool
science-project valcanos or playing Dinosaurs or whatever his other
interests are. If you're already offering all that, and he still chooses TV,
then it's his real choice (and I cannot even BEGIN to list all the things my
daughters have learned from television. "Good" stuff, too, not just the
names of Pokemon).
----------
I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV? How much TV is too much?
Should I step in and limit TV? How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?
Do unschoolers limit TV? What about when kids get older and parents try to
limit TV? I don¹t want to be the TV Police!
----------
In order asked:
Yes (with caveat of available other choices as above).
Not applicable.
No.
It can't be.
Some do.
I imagine it's quite difficult, in any family where the kids have a
backbone, not just unschoolers.
No, you really don't. ;)
TV is not heroin. Some people like to watch a lot, some a little, some none.
Basically the same with any normal activity. Personal preference should
carry the day.
Put "I think" and "I believe" in front of all my statements, please <g> I'm
too lazy to go back and do it,
Pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sharon Rudd
> I checked the archives of Always Learning andLOL Be carfull what you wish for!!!
> Unschooling.com and am still
> conflicted about this topic.
>
> I look forward to any and all comments.
Sharon of the Swamp
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
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[email protected]
<<I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV?>>
Yes they can IF they have other options and are truly allowed to decide
when they've had enough. If someone is prodding and pushing them to turn
it off they don't really have the power to say when and you'll never
know.
<<How much TV is too much?>>
You'll get a wide array of opinions on this but I haven't seen any proof
of any of the dire warnings of it's dangers. I am one of those folks who
likes the TV to be on a LOT but I seldom actually watch what is on. My
kids are the ones who turn it off, they have never been limited.
<<Should I step in and limit TV?>>
I wouldn't.
<<How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?>>
I don't think you can. Deciding that something is not valuable for
learning FOR your children doesn't jive with unschooling, IMO.
<<Do unschoolers limit TV?>>
Some do but my observation is that those who demonstrate the strongest
grasp of unschooling and natural learning don't limit TV.
<<What about when kids get older and parents try to limit TV?>>
I think it creates resentment and a controller vs controlled environment.
<<I don�t want to be the TV Police!>>>>
I don't either and I won't.
Kris
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Yes they can IF they have other options and are truly allowed to decide
when they've had enough. If someone is prodding and pushing them to turn
it off they don't really have the power to say when and you'll never
know.
<<How much TV is too much?>>
You'll get a wide array of opinions on this but I haven't seen any proof
of any of the dire warnings of it's dangers. I am one of those folks who
likes the TV to be on a LOT but I seldom actually watch what is on. My
kids are the ones who turn it off, they have never been limited.
<<Should I step in and limit TV?>>
I wouldn't.
<<How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?>>
I don't think you can. Deciding that something is not valuable for
learning FOR your children doesn't jive with unschooling, IMO.
<<Do unschoolers limit TV?>>
Some do but my observation is that those who demonstrate the strongest
grasp of unschooling and natural learning don't limit TV.
<<What about when kids get older and parents try to limit TV?>>
I think it creates resentment and a controller vs controlled environment.
<<I don�t want to be the TV Police!>>>>
I don't either and I won't.
Kris
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.
[email protected]
In a message dated 5/17/02 12:22:31 PM, isblcsy@... writes:
<< I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV? How much TV is too much?
Should I step in and limit TV? How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?
You seem to be unhappy with the level.
Can ANY kid "SELF" regulate to the secret, unspoken specifications of another
person? Accidentally, if they're lucky.
I wouldn't limit it. As he gets older and can do more he'll have more to do!
The unschoolingest way I know to limit TV is to provide other more
fascinating options. But right now it seems he's learning from and liking TV.
When he's watching a PBS kid's show, he has the option to turn it off, and he
chooses not to. If he were in school for that half hour, he wouldn't be as
attentive, would have no right to leave, and other kids would be bugging him.
So there he is, safe, free, and engaged in learning.
Maybe you could make tapes of his favorite PBS shows. Even if you tape it
while he's watching it, and collect all of one kind on one tape, he might
watch that later, and feel less like needing to be right there at 2:30 if he
knows he has six hours' worth on tape for later. That's IF you are truly
bugged by his watching the shows.
Holly's ten and she really likes Zoom, Arthur, the math one whose name I'm
failing to learn... but she's willing to miss them too. Some days she sets
the alarm early to watch the early-morning Arthur, which is the repeat of the
afternoon of the day before. If it's a good one or she missed it, she'll
wake up early. Some other days she merrily misses any and all of it to do
other things.
Videotaping can free a child from the clock the way phone messages/answering
service or machine can free people from telephone worry.
Sandra
<< I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV? How much TV is too much?
Should I step in and limit TV? How can TV be limited in an unschooling way?
>>I don't think what you're describing is too much. He IS self-regulating.
You seem to be unhappy with the level.
Can ANY kid "SELF" regulate to the secret, unspoken specifications of another
person? Accidentally, if they're lucky.
I wouldn't limit it. As he gets older and can do more he'll have more to do!
The unschoolingest way I know to limit TV is to provide other more
fascinating options. But right now it seems he's learning from and liking TV.
When he's watching a PBS kid's show, he has the option to turn it off, and he
chooses not to. If he were in school for that half hour, he wouldn't be as
attentive, would have no right to leave, and other kids would be bugging him.
So there he is, safe, free, and engaged in learning.
Maybe you could make tapes of his favorite PBS shows. Even if you tape it
while he's watching it, and collect all of one kind on one tape, he might
watch that later, and feel less like needing to be right there at 2:30 if he
knows he has six hours' worth on tape for later. That's IF you are truly
bugged by his watching the shows.
Holly's ten and she really likes Zoom, Arthur, the math one whose name I'm
failing to learn... but she's willing to miss them too. Some days she sets
the alarm early to watch the early-morning Arthur, which is the repeat of the
afternoon of the day before. If it's a good one or she missed it, she'll
wake up early. Some other days she merrily misses any and all of it to do
other things.
Videotaping can free a child from the clock the way phone messages/answering
service or machine can free people from telephone worry.
Sandra
[email protected]
> Here is my problem...my oldest son is 5 years old and he loves toHi Isabel, welcome to the list.
> watch TV.
> We have never had restrictions on television and he watches it a lot
> (IMO).
> He watches for about 2 hours in the morning and another 1 1/2 in the
> afternoon, and sometimes in between. It seems that when ever we are
> home,
> he wants the TV on. This ends around three when PBS Kids goes off
> the air.
> He will sometimes request a video at night.
My son is ten now and has never had TV restrictions. When he was four
and five he discovered Godzilla movies, the old ones, and other bad
sci-fi and classic horror films. He was enthralled. There were days the
TV was on all day. Once I can remember he never even changed out of his
pj's. ( This happened once when he got his Playstation too.)
He had other options, playmates, toys, games, a sand box and pool, a fun
mom, but he really wanted TV. I think that's ok.
He now rarely watches TV all day. Some days the TV is never even turned
on.
> I thought that over time my son would get bored of so much TV, butYou didn't tell us how long this has been going on, that he's watching TV
> that has
> not been the case. I really want him to self-regulate and I trust
> that he
> knows what he needs, but it seems like way too much TV to me.
and that YOU think it's too much.
You think it's too much, but obviously he doesn't.
> I am wondering...Can all kids self-regulate TV?If TV isn't the best thing in their lives, yes.
> How much TV is tooWhy does it matter? Would you be asking this question if he was reading
> much?
all day? Would you be asking how many books are too many? What if he
was playing outside for three or four hours. Would that seem unhealthy
to you?
> Should I step in and limit TV?I wouldn't. You said you trust him to know what he needs.
> How can TV be limited in anWhen it's the child's choice.
> unschooling way?
By making sure there are other options available to him that are fun and
wonderful and then by letting him make up his own mind.
> Do unschoolers limit TV?I don't.
> What about when kids get older and parentsWhy does this matter? He's five right? If you let him decide about TV
> try to
> limit TV?
now, he'll be able to decide about TV when he's twelve.
> I don�t want to be the TV Police!Your child doesn't want you to either, I bet.
> I checked the archives of Always Learning and Unschooling.com and amSo many people I've seen who are worried about TV are worried because
> still
> conflicted about this topic.
someone else said they should be. If you really look at your life and
write down all the bad things TV has done to you, you'll probably find
the TV safer and nicer than most of your relatives. ( Or maybe that's
just MY relatives.)
My son is a gentle and nice kid. He's never been deliberately mean or
hurtful to someone else. He loves animals and nature and cares about
politics and the suffering in the world. He's never been limited or
restricted in what he can watch. He watches whatever rated movie or show
he want's to. He watches violence, sex, (not his favorite, but if it's
in the middle of stuff blowing up, he can live with it)
drugs and otherwise unsavory business, and he's not a hatchet murderer,
or a cat burglar or even a grasshopper-pull-the-legs off-er. He DID try
a magic spell or two after reading "Harry Potter" but as far as we know
none were successful and he's put aside the magic wand for now.
The TV was on this morning for two hours (Mystery Science Theater) and
that's the first time since Wednesday night. My son even has his own TV
and VCR for movie watching if the big TV is unavailable. I can't
remember the last time he had it on.
He had a friend over last night and they played Set and made clay models
and pulled weeds out of the strawberry bed, but no one was interested in
TV.
Deb L
Sharon Rudd
Once I can remember he never
changes to go somewhere or sometimes to do outside
things at home
Sharon of the Swamp
__________________________________________________
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LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
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> even changed out of hisRoy sleeps in sweats (so soft at first)..... he only
> pj's. ( This happened once when he got his
> Playstation too.)
changes to go somewhere or sometimes to do outside
things at home
Sharon of the Swamp
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
http://launch.yahoo.com
[email protected]
<< So many people I've seen who are worried about TV are worried because
someone else said they should be. If you really look at your life and
write down all the bad things TV has done to you, you'll probably find
the TV safer and nicer than most of your relatives. ( Or maybe that's
just MY relatives.) >>
OH yes. I'd rather them watch Arnold Schwartzenneger appear to kick the
bloody special-effects crap out of another actor then for them to spend more
than just a couple of hours with their grandmother! MUCH less harmful to
their personal self esteem.
But to be fair, last time she visited she saved all her insults for my
husband, who claims to be totally oblivious to it.
Sandra
someone else said they should be. If you really look at your life and
write down all the bad things TV has done to you, you'll probably find
the TV safer and nicer than most of your relatives. ( Or maybe that's
just MY relatives.) >>
OH yes. I'd rather them watch Arnold Schwartzenneger appear to kick the
bloody special-effects crap out of another actor then for them to spend more
than just a couple of hours with their grandmother! MUCH less harmful to
their personal self esteem.
But to be fair, last time she visited she saved all her insults for my
husband, who claims to be totally oblivious to it.
Sandra
Isabel
Thanks so very much to all those who responded to my television questions.
The responses helped me gain some perspective on why this bothers me so
much. I printed out the posts and plan to refer to them when I feel an
anti-TV attack coming on.
A lot of the pressure I feel is coming from several friends (both
homeschoolers and schoolers) who have either gotten rid of the TV altogether
or severely limit viewing. According to these friends, their kids started
composing music, writing novels, programming computers, cloning hamsters,
discovering galaxies, etc. once the TV was limited or trashed. They insist
that it was the Tv that kept their kids from greatness!
- I¹m exaggerating, of course...they didn¹t really program a computer! :)
hee-hee
So, I¹m thinking...how is my son going to find a cure for cancer by his 6th
birthday if he¹s busy watching Arthur and Zoboomafoo!? Apparently, he has
his own plan for his life.
Has anyone else had to combat this pressure from society, family and friends
regarding unlimited TV? I be really interested in hearing some stories
about that.
Thanks again,
Isabel
ps...my son has loads of other things to do. He is very social and loves to
spend time with friends. We go on lots of field trips and spend a few hours
outside everyday. I tape his shows if we are going out and that works
great.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The responses helped me gain some perspective on why this bothers me so
much. I printed out the posts and plan to refer to them when I feel an
anti-TV attack coming on.
A lot of the pressure I feel is coming from several friends (both
homeschoolers and schoolers) who have either gotten rid of the TV altogether
or severely limit viewing. According to these friends, their kids started
composing music, writing novels, programming computers, cloning hamsters,
discovering galaxies, etc. once the TV was limited or trashed. They insist
that it was the Tv that kept their kids from greatness!
- I¹m exaggerating, of course...they didn¹t really program a computer! :)
hee-hee
So, I¹m thinking...how is my son going to find a cure for cancer by his 6th
birthday if he¹s busy watching Arthur and Zoboomafoo!? Apparently, he has
his own plan for his life.
Has anyone else had to combat this pressure from society, family and friends
regarding unlimited TV? I be really interested in hearing some stories
about that.
Thanks again,
Isabel
ps...my son has loads of other things to do. He is very social and loves to
spend time with friends. We go on lots of field trips and spend a few hours
outside everyday. I tape his shows if we are going out and that works
great.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pam Hartley
In our extended families it's not a big thing -- we're all TV watchers with
good opinions of ourselves. ;)
But I have lots and lots of homeschooling friends who limit or banish the
TV. I don't tend to be intimidated by their opinions, and I'm honest about
our viewing habits. In fact, it gives me a certain amount of naughty glee to
be able to join in on conversations where one Mom is saying, "Oh, well, we
DO have a TV but little Bartholomew only watches 1 hour, of PBS, per month,
and we always tie that in to our unit study." I usually rejoin with,
"Really? We watched the PowerPuff Girl Marathon last night until 2 a.m.!"
<g>
Pam, very very bad
----------
From: Isabel <isblcsy@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] television!
Date: Sat, May 18, 2002, 2:03 PM
Has anyone else had to combat this pressure from society, family and friends
regarding unlimited TV? I be really interested in hearing some stories
about that.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
good opinions of ourselves. ;)
But I have lots and lots of homeschooling friends who limit or banish the
TV. I don't tend to be intimidated by their opinions, and I'm honest about
our viewing habits. In fact, it gives me a certain amount of naughty glee to
be able to join in on conversations where one Mom is saying, "Oh, well, we
DO have a TV but little Bartholomew only watches 1 hour, of PBS, per month,
and we always tie that in to our unit study." I usually rejoin with,
"Really? We watched the PowerPuff Girl Marathon last night until 2 a.m.!"
<g>
Pam, very very bad
----------
From: Isabel <isblcsy@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] television!
Date: Sat, May 18, 2002, 2:03 PM
Has anyone else had to combat this pressure from society, family and friends
regarding unlimited TV? I be really interested in hearing some stories
about that.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Nancy Wooton
on 5/18/02 3:36 PM, Pam Hartley at pamhartley@... wrote:
The first one we watched (following the Preakness) was the one where Marge
homeschools Bart <g>
Nancy, horrid
> "Really? We watched the PowerPuff Girl Marathon last night until 2 a.m.!"There's a Simpson's marathon on our TV at this moment.
> <g>
>
> Pam, very very bad
The first one we watched (following the Preakness) was the one where Marge
homeschools Bart <g>
Nancy, horrid
homeschoolmd
--- In AlwaysLearning@y..., Isabel <isblcsy@a...> wrote:
his life when he was a kid. His parents got divorced and he moved
around a lot so he didn't have many friends. TV was his best friend
and he turned out just fine professionally, if that is what you are
worried about.
It is 9 p.m. here and right now both my daughters are in our garage,
with two of their friends, who are spending the night. They have
drawn a city on the garage floor with chalk. Their city is filled
with all kinds of interesting features and people from all walks of
life. They are using polished stones as the people for their city.
I'm amazed at the creativity and planning that has gone into this
game. I'm sure they got the inspiration to do all this from
*all* "The SIMS" they have been playing on the computer.
By the way, a few weeks ago I posted a question to this list similar
to yours, about all the time my daughters were spending on the
computer. I don't know why I was so worried.
Pat
> So, I¹m thinking...how is my son going to find a cure for cancer byhis 6th
> birthday if he¹s busy watching Arthur and Zoboomafoo!? Apparently,he has
> his own plan for his life.I read an interview with Tom Hanks recently and guess what, tv was
his life when he was a kid. His parents got divorced and he moved
around a lot so he didn't have many friends. TV was his best friend
and he turned out just fine professionally, if that is what you are
worried about.
It is 9 p.m. here and right now both my daughters are in our garage,
with two of their friends, who are spending the night. They have
drawn a city on the garage floor with chalk. Their city is filled
with all kinds of interesting features and people from all walks of
life. They are using polished stones as the people for their city.
I'm amazed at the creativity and planning that has gone into this
game. I'm sure they got the inspiration to do all this from
*all* "The SIMS" they have been playing on the computer.
By the way, a few weeks ago I posted a question to this list similar
to yours, about all the time my daughters were spending on the
computer. I don't know why I was so worried.
Pat