Does Anyone Use Educational Videos?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I don't have TV time in my schedule at all. However, I don't completely ban it while kids are here, there are some days that we watch things, but those days are pretty rare.
I am pretty curious though, why don't people use it? (And don't take that as a 100% all of the time baby sitter thing, but the occasional use?)

We do not watch TV at all.

On occasion, we will watch a 2 minute YouTube clip (of a tornado ... seeds growing ... etc.).

We do our learning through interacting with one another and reading books.

[DaisyMamma]

I have no problem with tv at all, however I dont think we watch all that much during daycare hours. when I do turn it on they usually lose interest after about a half hour.

[thatdivalady]

The children may not be benefiting from watching bits of tv but I sure am since I can make lunch without worrying about what trouble they're getting into. And, a happy, stress free provider equals happier, well adjusted children.


I am a tv daycare. It's on a couple times during the day to make my life easier. Yes, I said it. I'm putting my needs and sanity first. In my life, the world does not revolve around the children and I'm not trying to create perfect little geniuses with perfectly planned childhoods. I'm trying to create real children who live in the real world where there is tv, where adults have needs and wants, where the can handle life's letdowns and problems and where children often have to wait to receive the things (tangible or otherwise) that they want and even need sometimes.

I've been doing childcare professionally for 20 years now and not one of the children I've cared for has been damaged by watching appropriate tv. Although I guess the studies are correct 'cause none of them are geniuses, either

MNMum, my comments are not directed at you at all. Rereading my post, it looked that way so I wanted to reassure it it wasn't. I'm venting at society's view of children & tv in general

I definitely respect the opinion of everyone who posted. I just wanted to say that I very much appreciate the posts of those who use television as well. Honestly, in my personal life, I have let my daughter watch Sprout everyday for a decent amount of time. I have watched it help her language and at 18 months she had a vocabulary of approximately 30 words. Now, at 20 months she is pushing 50. Now I do not attribute it ALL to television, just to say that I can't believe that television is the sole responsible cause of bad things happening to children. I really don't like Nick Jr. by the way. I brought this thread up because I had a father call about a spot for his daughter and he was completely against television in daycare. His current daycare was providing it and he wanted to switch. Not only did I want to find out his complete views on the matter, but since I allow television twice per day I wanted to be sure that I honored his request and was able to. It turns out that he was just upset about the daycare putting Disney movies on during the day.

[Former Teacher]

I am not much of a TV person. In fact at home I rarely have it on. I do DVR Judge Judy though happyface I only use TV for noise so I keep it on the music channel.

As for TV in childcare, when I was at my former center, I must admit the TV was on more often than not. It was on from 630-830 (arrivals). Then depending on the weather it was on from (1130-1215 after lunch but before nap-classes were ALWAYS combined). THEN it was on from 530-630 (departures).

My current family that I nanny have 2 tvs. When the boy was 18 months old (when I started, he is now 4 years!) every time I turned on the tv he would drop whatever he was doing and run to the tv just to see what was on. Didn't matter what it was. I could put on the news and he would sit/stand there and watch it. I remember that the TV was and still is a great tool for me when I want to go potty- the kids are in the SAME spot ::

Now the only time I have the TV on is in the morning for when they (the boy and his 2 year old sister ) wake up. Then once breakfast is ready to be eaten tv is off until nap. At nap I allow the boy (depending on how good his day is) pick a show on demand and then I watch Food Network. Once I watch Food Network they are both soundly sleeping happyface

[DCP]

I personally do not like tv and would prefer not to have ANY in my house LOL however I do use it Theme related a couple times per month to enhance the theme I am on.

It maybe an actual movie on a rainy day or a related educational video. Children learn through various methods - so I try to use various teaching methods as well. I have alot of videos that have taught the kids things far faster than I could of so in some cases I find them useful.

During quiet time I also use it (sprout only) for the older children that do not nap or Mom doesn't want them to nap. It keeps them calm and occupied while the others in the room next to them sleep. Parents are happy that I do this as if they do fall asleep it is never for long and I am ok with it as long as certain programs are on.

There will always be a debate but I do believe with some kids with the right program it can actually be beneficial!

[SunshineMama]

I rarely have the tv on, but if I do it's usually because the kids were out of control and I needed a sanity break for myself. I put on something educational like leap frog numbers or phonics, and the older ones (2.5 yrs and up) love the special treat. The 1 year olds dont pay any attention to it anyway.

[Creek]

The only times we watch TV is the occasional 11:30am they're having a crazy morning and there is no way that I can get away to safely make lunch. This may not even happen once in a month though. We had a movie treat in January, one Friday morning. It was in our newsletter, totally planned. It was nice! Two kids wanted to colour and read books instead and that was fine.

I don't agree with having the tv on all the time, I don't even do that during weekends when the daycare kids aren't here. My DD, DH and I do other things. I do have the radio on a lot during the day or some CD's for the kids. Personally, I wouldn't have my DD in a daycare that had the tv on all the time. Once in a while, sure. No spongebob though please, haha. As for educational shows, sure! I've heard of a lot of daycare providers having an iPad for the kids, wow! I don't even have one for me, haha.

[DaisyMamma]

I just ordered a DVD that teaches spanish to kids. The dvds are broken down into lessons, each about 10 minutes. It's quick and easy and since I do not know Spanish I can't offer the correct pronunciation, so these are great! We follow it up with some flash cards about the words we learned. And practice talking to eachother.

I was looking at the preschool prep dvds to order, but I'm not sure what they are like. Has anyone used them?