My husband and I decided very early on that we want to limit the amount of television/ screen time that Valeria gets. Obviously it is next to impossible to keep them away from technology unless we decide to give up our cell phones, computers and television (and we don’t have tablets, we don’t like them personally). But we can monitor how much exposure she gets from these things.
We are trying to be more conscious of not being on our phones when we are around her, though I sometimes find that difficult since I text family and friends most of the time, I will admit I am worse then my husband some days. But when she is up from naps, we try to play and focus on her. We have established some new games called Monkey and Crashed Rocketship….I’ll leave that your imagination, but I imagine you can guess what it entails.
However, even though those are now favourite games of hers, this post is regarding television. We’ve allowed her a little bit of television here and there; she started out with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and now (even though she is too young to understand it at the moment) she loves Bluey. Both great shows and have some sort of life lesson or educational purpose to it. Though I have to say that as soon as she hears the theme song for Bluey she immediately goes quiet and begins to laugh.
She doesn’t last long though, she watches an episode of either of her shows than goes back to playing with her toes, various toys or with me. Not much of a television kid, which I’m okay with. At least it gives me a short break from trying to entertain her.
I will occasionally put fish on the television, she likes staring at the aquarium and the noise it makes. She constantly laughs at the bubbles the fish create. It’s funny to watch, man the things kids are interested in is fascinating.
Needless to say, we will never keep her away from technology, it can be helpful in a lot of ways. We just don’t want her to be like those children who are so dependent on it that they want nothing else. We want her running, playing outside, getting dirty and to be adventurous. To learn from her surroundings and embrace life outside of a monitor.
We are trying to be more aware of that too and embracing life a little more. Kids learn by example right?
So are we wrong as parents to want her more in nature and to use her imagination over being glued to a screen all the time? I don’t think so.
What are your thoughts on kids and screen time?
Ciao!
Mama on the Move 
I love Miss. Rachel 🙂 she not only teaches them words but sign language which comes in handy when they are trying to communicate but aren’t able to talk yet 🙂 BUT you have to watch too. My son and his wife were telling me this hand gesture my grandson was doing “all the time now” well it was the gesture for “want” so he was telling them “I want….” LOL I have been at parks, play grounds, etc and seen kids making the sign language and the parents had no clue LOL They think I am the child whisperer when I give or do what their child is signing for then I will say, does he/she watch Miss Rachel and the answer is always YES, he/she loves Miss Rachel. LOL
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Might just have to give Miss. Rachel a watch! I know my husband’s nephews do sign language and I’m always like “Huh?” I have no idea, but it is useful for the kids and parents. I think it’s absolutely hilarious that you are the child whisper in the local parks 😂
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Well, it is quite brilliant if you think about it. They can’t talk until around 2 and then only words not really whole sentences but my grandson was communicating through the sign language waaaaay before that at 14 months He would get frustrated because he was trying to say, Mama, Daddy, I want food. I am sleepy, etc but no one knew what he was “saying/signing” a few episodes of watching Miss Rachel and it was quite clear what he was trying to convey. Things he wanted to say, sad, happy, stop, hurt, hungry, I want even sign for mama and daddy…so many things that helped us understand what he wanted/needed before he could tell us verbally. My son and his wife said they always listened but hadn’t watched it that much because she is like crack for the baby, he was all mesmerized by Miss Rachel so it gave them time to get things done. Being Granny I had nothing to do but watch along and quickly realized wow he has been “talking” by sign language all that time LOL Now I see kids all over doing it LOL I immediately know they watch Miss Rachel. Quick search of Miss Rachel and she will be the first result.
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That’s so impressive he picked it up so quickly and was able to at least communicate his wants and needs. It makes sense though, a kids brain is like a sponge, they soak everything in and if they see things repeatedly, well we all know they start to mimic and repeat. I think it’s great that you learned it with him, I probably would have been like your son and daughter-in-law and just listen in lol And I’ve already got her bookmarked for when Valeria is a bit older. Thank you for the suggestion! ❤
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Well, as a parent, I can’t blame them. You can listen and hear that it is all such loving child appropriate learning and my grandson would be mesmerized and entertained long enough for them to be able to cook, or straighten up or pay bills. You know a brief reprieve to get some necessities done. Then when they realized it was a communication tool it really helped them too. Once kids start wanting things and can’t tell you what it is they get frustrated. So, yeah, I think the signing help avert some meltdowns lol
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It definitely helps having that reprieve even for a short time while you know that your child is watching something fun and educational. I honestly can’t wait until Valeria gets to that age, because the guessing game right now kind of sucks lol But I fully agree, it definitely helps to avert meltdowns for sure!
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