A baby is like a “sponge” and learns from whatever it sees around it. As they grow, our children don’t only learn at school, they learn from what they see in shops, from relations and inevitably from TV. When seeking out a nursery what would you think if you saw a group of babies lined up in front of the TV with say “Thomas the Tank Engine” running?
Nurseries in Essex, Sussex, Norfolk and Dorset – or in fact ANY nursery in the country would not consider TV a way to educate or inform their babies and youngsters while in their care. It doesn’t mean though that TV is not an educational tool in the box.
Discovery channel’s “Dora the Explorer” is an animation that depicts a little girl learning about her world. While Dora learns, your children learn. Another show “Arthur” is designed to help with literacy and numbers. The much loved “Sesame Street” also helps with numbers and letters and a good deal more besides. It helps children learn to form enduring friendships and make the “right choices”. Another Discovery show is “Bindi the Jungle girl” who, like her famous father “The Crocodile Hunter” has an affinity with animals. The Care Bears form loving relationships, Fireman Sam is brave and reliable and Bob the Builder is a tribute to his community.
We’ve all heard the stories of Child Minders who stick their small charges in front of the TV while they chat on the phone. That’s awful of course, but it doesn’t mean that TV, in reasonable amounts and with the right messages shouldn’t help our children laugh and learn.