Hi everyone
Just a question on how much tv a 3 year old should watch a day.
Backstory:
My 3 year old goes to day care 4/5 working days and is home with myself and his dad on the weekends where we go to the beach and playground or a museum of some sort or what not.
Anyway Wednesdays are the day he is home all day with me. In the morning we’ll normally got out to the playground or beach for 2/3 hours depending on his mood, before coming home to watch some tv (super wings being a fav haha) whilst having lunch. At the moment I’m letting him watch from about 2 hours before just going back to playtime with his toys before dinner at 5:15 or there abouts.
I’m wondering if 2 hours is too much for his age? :/
But my dilemma is he is at daycare most of the time always running around and doing lots of activities so I figure because Wednesdays are meant to be for a chill day at home 2 hours isn’t too bad?
Please note in the mornings and evenings during the week he doesn’t watch tv.
Would love some opinions
Thanks :)
6 Replies
Even kids need to just sit back and relax every so often, I see no harm in it.
No harm at all.
I think we forget that kids need to chill too and I think it’s completely healthy for kids to get bored.. or to just be...
It sounds like your boy has a busy schedule, it would actually be nice for him to enjoy a quieter TV day to break up his week.. you should enjoy it too and don’t feel guilty.
The only point I think it’s unhealthy, is when they don’t get up and move. And really becomes an addiction of rejecting other activities constantly so they can watch TV. A few hours a Day is fine... chances are he hops ip and plays with a toy here and there too as do my 2&3 year olds do when they have a movie on
According to lastest research, children under 5 are only supposed to get 2 hours screen time a week (which includes tv). For me, I dont think watching tv here and there ( like your Wednesdays) will hurt him as he has a healthy active lifestyle otherwise even if it somewhat exceedes recommended.
My kids all watched much more TV than your son at that age 🙊
They are all pretty well adjusted typical kids, so I think you're good with your lazy Wednesdays.
He's active, he gets a variety of more beneficial stimulation, the occasional day of telly is a fine way to recharge the batteries (i always feel grest after a day of mind numbing reality tv 😂).
There is no right or wrong with this. If he gets bored with the tv he will walk away. Showing your concern means that you are a good mum but don’t be too hard on yourself about it. It’s prob just his chill time. Most kids these days by that age have iPads to shut them up. I am anti iPads with my kids we don’t have them so I don’t mind them watching tv for an hour or so when they want to chill. They mostly want to be outside so I don’t have a problem with an hour or 2 tv. You’ll find your son will get bored with it anyway as he gets older don’t stress, you are doing well. He is just chilling, he must be tired after being at day care ect and out weekends.
2 hours seems like a good amount. well done, mumma