TV/educational application suggestions?

[AmandaKDT]

There is actually a HUGE difference between reading a book and watching tv. I won't even pretend to understand it enough to properly explain it but there is plenty of research that has looked at what is happening in the brain while watching tv, and different types of tv and the brain is going on rapid fire overload. Research shows that while watching tv the brain is reacting the same as it does when under attack, the brain is in fight or flight mode trying to access the situation.

The reason I try to stick with the show caillou is one of the studies looked at the difference between todays common cartoons and caillou since caillou is incredibly slow moving and has very little stimuli in it the children's brains were much calmer in response than to other shows.

I am not against tv by any means but I do limit it for young children, I don't think it is wise to have it on in the background all day and I think it is worthwhile to choose your shows wisely. It is incredibly different than reading a book. Brains need time to process and rest. Tv does not allow this. Using tv for 'rest' time is counteractive as while the child's body is still it is only because their brain is so overloaded that the body freezes trying to process. The brain can't process anything it has learned until it sleeps therefore sleep is more important than rest.

There is no doubt that there is plenty to learn through tv and other screen time. But the brain can't actually learn it if it is overloaded and on high alert...so the brain needs a break from the screen to process and learn. Which basically brings it all back to having set limits on screen time. But, reading and tv are incredibly different in what is happening in the brain.

Which is exactly why I call it body rest, not brain rest. It also give me a total break, because having kids that don't nap can mean no break all day unless I give myself one. They look at books, colour, play with my Leapreader books for awhile, then go watch cartoons until the little ones wake up. I don't bother having the 5 year olds even lay down anymore, unless they are looking tired.

[Lee-Bee]

Which is exactly why I call it body rest, not brain rest. It also give me a total break, because having kids that don't nap can mean no break all day unless I give myself one. They look at books, colour, play with my Leapreader books for awhile, then go watch cartoons until the little ones wake up. I don't bother having the 5 year olds even lay down anymore, unless they are looking tired.

I completely agree with using a bit of tv to give a caregiver a rest :-) It's just important to understand that it isn't the equivalent of sleep or non-screen time rest for the child!

[AmandaKDT]

I completely agree with using a bit of tv to give a caregiver a rest :-) It's just important to understand that it isn't the equivalent of sleep or non-screen time rest for the child!

For sure! It isn't equivalent to sleeping.