Tip 157: Benefits of watching Barney?

Haruka's favorite DVD is the purplesaurus king of kiddie pop, Barney & Friends. Ever since 7 months old, Haruka was introduced to Barney after I brought back a few budget Barney DVDs from Malaysia. At first, it seemed harmless as it did amuse Haruka and gave Tomomi some break time for toilet or to cook a meal.

After 1 year old, Haruka would actually request the same few DVDs be watched over and over again a few times a day. Though, we did not relent when she insisted on the DVD over mummy and daddy's TV programs. Haruka begin to observe when possibly she could get what she wants, when mummy and daddy's body language shows they are not too interested in certain TV programs.

This brings us to question if watching too much TV is good. Haruka does not go to school or nursery yet. Tomomi would accompany Haruka at a playcenter or playground for 2-4 hours, 3-5 times a week if the weather is good. At other times, Haruka enjoys playing and reading with us, but she would still like to watch the Barney DVD or other kids program on the TV. Yet, Tomomi ensures she has a balance of different activities for the day and not have more than 5 hours of Barney.

Society has changed that decades ago, kids would just play in the garden of the home, go over to a neighbour's home or play by a large nature area and not be confined in small space indoors. Yet, the TV has also increased the possibility of learning, enlarging the imagination of the child and allowing the child to recall different things observed. If daddy and mummy were to teach without DVD, they may not recall everything the child observed before.

Kids program can motivate the child to learn in a fun way by observing other kids in the program learning and singing. Yet, the better way is for daddy and mummy to be present at least sometimes to talk to the child while watching the program. For instance, asking the child whether he likes an elephant after watching it. I would also take the opportunity to encourage Haruka to emulate the kids by saying they seldom cry and they must have been eating a lot to be able to jump and dance so well. Then, when we are busy, we can make it a point to take leave and after some pacifying, the child will learn to be content with the quality time spent. This is much better than feeling guilty for not doing anything and giving up, or take the children out on a family project that one is not prepared for or have the attention and concentration for it.

I have not reached the stage where I have to ban certain TV programs for Haruka as she volunteers to not see TV programs that seem to be violent or scary. Probably by watching kids program, she could differentiate between what are pleasant and fun programs with interesting lessons compared to those that are a waste of time. Interestingly, Haruka even teased that she wanted Barney to be her papa, but just one. Probably to push me to be a more fun daddy.

How much time do your kids watch kids programs? Any benefits or bad side effects to share?

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(Photos show Bleinheim Palace gardens and a short kids rail line to Pleasure Garden with fun play zones. That's Haruka's first hand at golf after many demonstrations by papa).