TV, limits and unschooling
Mary Hickman
I agree with Bridget, some kids do not seem able to self regulate TV when
they are allowed unlimited access to it. I have gone around on this issue a
ton. From TV free (which I find the best way to limit), to unlimited TV, to
allowing a certain amount. My kids are little, still formulating their
beings. I find TV is so easy for them, they choose it over say making a
puzzle or playing cooperatively together. Anyhow, it helps me and my son
when we know what he wants to watch and when. When he asks can I, I say yes,
when we are finished with dinner, or yes when I am nursing your sister to
sleep. He also seems content when he understands, you can watch 1 movie
today. I have him decide what he wants to watch and then we put in into the
family schedule. The same idea works well for us with the computer and
games. Usually, the kids plan to play a computer game when dad is home. He
is a much better technical support person than I am. My daughters seem to
not get attached to the boxes like my little guy. He will watch it all day.
He has forgotten to eat, or pee and then freaks out when it needs to go off.
I am also easily annoyed by the sound of the TV and I like to listen to
music. In our tiny house it is 1 or the other, not both. We do limit TV now.
As the children mature, I will reconsider this issue. Am I too controlling?
maybe. Yet, I feel TV interferes with other experiences and I want the
family to have lots of connected time together.
Mary
_________________________________________________________________
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they are allowed unlimited access to it. I have gone around on this issue a
ton. From TV free (which I find the best way to limit), to unlimited TV, to
allowing a certain amount. My kids are little, still formulating their
beings. I find TV is so easy for them, they choose it over say making a
puzzle or playing cooperatively together. Anyhow, it helps me and my son
when we know what he wants to watch and when. When he asks can I, I say yes,
when we are finished with dinner, or yes when I am nursing your sister to
sleep. He also seems content when he understands, you can watch 1 movie
today. I have him decide what he wants to watch and then we put in into the
family schedule. The same idea works well for us with the computer and
games. Usually, the kids plan to play a computer game when dad is home. He
is a much better technical support person than I am. My daughters seem to
not get attached to the boxes like my little guy. He will watch it all day.
He has forgotten to eat, or pee and then freaks out when it needs to go off.
I am also easily annoyed by the sound of the TV and I like to listen to
music. In our tiny house it is 1 or the other, not both. We do limit TV now.
As the children mature, I will reconsider this issue. Am I too controlling?
maybe. Yet, I feel TV interferes with other experiences and I want the
family to have lots of connected time together.
Mary
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
[email protected]
<< I find TV is so easy for them, they choose it over say making a
puzzle or playing cooperatively together. >>
Which leads to more learning?
My kids all watched less TV as they were more independent, able to get their
own art supplies out, able to read, able to leave the house to take the dog
for a walk, or to roller blade. Because TV had never been withheld, they
didn't have a need to have more. If I had allowed two hours a day, I think
they might still be claiming their two hours, thinking it must be pretty
special and powerful for me to dole it out like that.
-=-Yet, I feel TV interferes with other experiences and I want the
family to have lots of connected time together.-=-
Learning is my priority, and I see TV and video as a wonderful learning tool.
We have a lot of connecting time because I have watched TV and movies with my
kids since they were little. I learned all the songs on the singalong
videos, and we would sing them in the car. (Last week I was in the car with
another family of unschoolers, and the kids were singing "She's Cute" from
Animaniacs--a complex two-part swing song. I could've sung along if I hadn't
been totally hoarse.) I've watched Ninja Turtles and discussed motive and
plot. I've watched Power Rangers. I've watched My Little Pony. I wouldn't
have watched them without the kids, but the kids and their learning are my
main job right now.
Last night Kirby went and rented K-Pax on DVD because I hadn't seen it and he
thought I would like it, and we sat and watched it. Two of his friends were
there too, but he got it for me. I spent time with a fifteen year old at his
request, at his initiative, and it was good. And we'll talk about that movie
for at least another two hours, probably in ten or fifteen minute increments
when we're in the car together, over the next few months I'm sure, if past
experience holds true.
Sandra
puzzle or playing cooperatively together. >>
Which leads to more learning?
My kids all watched less TV as they were more independent, able to get their
own art supplies out, able to read, able to leave the house to take the dog
for a walk, or to roller blade. Because TV had never been withheld, they
didn't have a need to have more. If I had allowed two hours a day, I think
they might still be claiming their two hours, thinking it must be pretty
special and powerful for me to dole it out like that.
-=-Yet, I feel TV interferes with other experiences and I want the
family to have lots of connected time together.-=-
Learning is my priority, and I see TV and video as a wonderful learning tool.
We have a lot of connecting time because I have watched TV and movies with my
kids since they were little. I learned all the songs on the singalong
videos, and we would sing them in the car. (Last week I was in the car with
another family of unschoolers, and the kids were singing "She's Cute" from
Animaniacs--a complex two-part swing song. I could've sung along if I hadn't
been totally hoarse.) I've watched Ninja Turtles and discussed motive and
plot. I've watched Power Rangers. I've watched My Little Pony. I wouldn't
have watched them without the kids, but the kids and their learning are my
main job right now.
Last night Kirby went and rented K-Pax on DVD because I hadn't seen it and he
thought I would like it, and we sat and watched it. Two of his friends were
there too, but he got it for me. I spent time with a fifteen year old at his
request, at his initiative, and it was good. And we'll talk about that movie
for at least another two hours, probably in ten or fifteen minute increments
when we're in the car together, over the next few months I'm sure, if past
experience holds true.
Sandra
Lynda
I think one of the most important parts of this is the "able to get their
own." I've met a number of folks over the years who had all kinds of
"things" and "stuff" for their kids to do but they were locked up and mom or
dad had to get them down. Or they were too expensive to use without
supervision. Sometimes, frequently?, in younger children ideas can be
fleeting and if they don't have easy access to something they don't bother.
I have often wondered how many of the "surprises" the kidlets have created
over the years they would have done if they had had to say, "Mom I need . .
." Wouldn't have been much of a surprise if I had to provide everything or
felt that I had to supervise things so they wouldn't make a mess or scribble
in something.
Lynda
own." I've met a number of folks over the years who had all kinds of
"things" and "stuff" for their kids to do but they were locked up and mom or
dad had to get them down. Or they were too expensive to use without
supervision. Sometimes, frequently?, in younger children ideas can be
fleeting and if they don't have easy access to something they don't bother.
I have often wondered how many of the "surprises" the kidlets have created
over the years they would have done if they had had to say, "Mom I need . .
." Wouldn't have been much of a surprise if I had to provide everything or
felt that I had to supervise things so they wouldn't make a mess or scribble
in something.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: <SandraDodd@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 5:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] TV, limits and unschooling
>
> << I find TV is so easy for them, they choose it over say making a
> puzzle or playing cooperatively together. >>
>
> Which leads to more learning?
>
> My kids all watched less TV as they were more independent, able to get
their
> own art supplies out, able to read, able to leave the house to take the
dog
> for a walk, or to roller blade. Because TV had never been withheld, they
> didn't have a need to have more. If I had allowed two hours a day, I
think
> they might still be claiming their two hours, thinking it must be pretty
> special and powerful for me to dole it out like that.
>
> -=-Yet, I feel TV interferes with other experiences and I want the
> family to have lots of connected time together.-=-
>
> Learning is my priority, and I see TV and video as a wonderful learning
tool.
>
> We have a lot of connecting time because I have watched TV and movies with
my
> kids since they were little. I learned all the songs on the singalong
> videos, and we would sing them in the car. (Last week I was in the car
with
> another family of unschoolers, and the kids were singing "She's Cute" from
> Animaniacs--a complex two-part swing song. I could've sung along if I
hadn't
> been totally hoarse.) I've watched Ninja Turtles and discussed motive
and
> plot. I've watched Power Rangers. I've watched My Little Pony. I
wouldn't
> have watched them without the kids, but the kids and their learning are my
> main job right now.
>
> Last night Kirby went and rented K-Pax on DVD because I hadn't seen it and
he
> thought I would like it, and we sat and watched it. Two of his friends
were
> there too, but he got it for me. I spent time with a fifteen year old at
his
> request, at his initiative, and it was good. And we'll talk about that
movie
> for at least another two hours, probably in ten or fifteen minute
increments
> when we're in the car together, over the next few months I'm sure, if past
> experience holds true.
>
> Sandra
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website:
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Lyonness
<<<able to get their own art supplies out, able to read, able to leave the
house to take the dog
for a walk, or to roller blade. Because TV had never been withheld, they
didn't have a need to have more. >>>>>
But even is households like this, you'll find kids that just want to zone
out on TV!
Bec,
Camano Island Homeschoolers,
Washington Unschoolers,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Washingtonunschoolers/
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house to take the dog
for a walk, or to roller blade. Because TV had never been withheld, they
didn't have a need to have more. >>>>>
But even is households like this, you'll find kids that just want to zone
out on TV!
Bec,
Camano Island Homeschoolers,
Washington Unschoolers,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Washingtonunschoolers/
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[email protected]
On Thu, 11 Apr 2002 20:22:35 EDT SandraDodd@... writes:
5 years. I liked it a lot. I got the book from half.com and liked it,
too... and there's a sequel out that I want to read.
The book goes into multiple personality disorder (aka dissociative
identity disorder) more. The movie leaves a lot more ambiguity about
what's actually happening. I think I prefered the movie, which rarely
happens for me..
Dar
> Last night Kirby went and rented K-Pax on DVD because I hadn't seen itand he
> thought I would like it, and we sat and watched it. Two of hisThat's one of the half-dozen movies I've seen in a theater over the past
> friends were there too, but he got it for me.
5 years. I liked it a lot. I got the book from half.com and liked it,
too... and there's a sequel out that I want to read.
The book goes into multiple personality disorder (aka dissociative
identity disorder) more. The movie leaves a lot more ambiguity about
what's actually happening. I think I prefered the movie, which rarely
happens for me..
Dar
joanna514
>it and he
> Last night Kirby went and rented K-Pax on DVD because I hadn't seen
> thought I would like it, and we sat and watched it. >....> Sandra
Hey! I watched that last night too!
I enjoyed very much.
Joanna
joanna514
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., freeform@j... wrote:
He *was* an alien, right? ;-)
Joanna
>seen it
> On Thu, 11 Apr 2002 20:22:35 EDT SandraDodd@a... writes:
> > Last night Kirby went and rented K-Pax on DVD because I hadn't
> and hepast
> > thought I would like it, and we sat and watched it. Two of his
> > friends were there too, but he got it for me.
>
> That's one of the half-dozen movies I've seen in a theater over the
> 5 years. I liked it a lot. I got the book from half.com and likedit,
> too... and there's a sequel out that I want to read.about
>
> The book goes into multiple personality disorder (aka dissociative
> identity disorder) more. The movie leaves a lot more ambiguity
> what's actually happening. I think I prefered the movie, whichrarely
> happens for me..Hey wait!
>
> Dar
He *was* an alien, right? ;-)
Joanna