Television watching is one activity that helps keep your 2 year olds at close attention and at still. It is during this age when they begin to associate sounds with images and develop their cognitive and learning skills. Toddlers begin to find interest in the characters they see on the television and this helps them to be entertained. I remember how efficient turning on the television to a cartoon channel in making my niece tamed after minutes of usual tantrums. It was like the effect was automatic. After a few months of her introduction to the television, we have observed her liking with Dora the Explorer. When inside the mall, she would voluntarily point at anything she sees with Dora’s face. Although she cannot grasp yet the adventures of Dora the Explorer, not even can she speak her name, but she recalls how Dora and her friends look.
You might be concerned whether it is proper to introduce toddlers to television watching this early. You see, I am well aware of the studies conducted by several media associations for child development on the harmful effects of TV programs for children. Even the American Association of Pediatrics has their own recommendations, too. But, my honest personal theory is, it can only be harmful if a. there is too much exposure, b. if you let them watch the inappropriate TV shows for their age, and c. if you disregard parental guidance.
It is the parents’ duty to limit TV watching time of their children. The American Association of Pediatrics recommends not placing a TV set in the children’s room and implement strict parental guidance while watching TV. Pediatrics also recommends introducing toddlers to various interactive activities during their informative years to provide them with other entertaining and lesson-filled hobbies. Aside from these guidelines, I believe that parents should be the ones to select which TV shows their children should watch. There are a lot of TV cartoon channel options but not all are conducive for all age group. Brain development is at its peak at aged 2 so parents must focus on this year. The best TV shows for 2 year olds are those that promote child-friendly activities, characters, language, rhymes, and values. Sesame Street would always be on top of the list. It is the longest running TV show for children. Barney also makes it to must households because of the nursery rhymes and friendship values the show promotes. I also recommend Nickelodeon Jr. for more choices of educational and entertaining TV shows for toddlers.