when is TV / video at preschool ok?

[Anonymous]

I need a reality check -
the daily report from school yesterday said they watched a Dora video for spanish class.

My thoughts - studys have shown that children do not actually learn from watching TV
There might be a topic where a video exists that covers a topic much better than teachers can - for example Sesame Street had an episode when Mr. Hooper died.
But for a general spanish class for a 3 YO a Dora video is not necessary

I was going to raise this with the director - but wanted to take the pulse of others to see if my expectations were aligned with reality.

Just an FYI - my child is exposed to a limited amount of TV at home. Maybe once every 3 days we will watch Sesame Street, Curious George, or Sid the Science Kid.

[Anonymous]

I think TV in preschool should be never. If the child is in an all day program or a daycare/preschool, I understand a small amount of TV when the weather is bad and has been bad for days/weeks.

I am not anti-tv for a child that is over 2, I am an everything in moderation kind of person. That said, preschool is supposed to be about learning and they are supposed to have activities to engage your child. Take them to a play, do not watch tv.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be a fan of TV at preschool. If they want it to be fun and engaging, try playing Simon Says in Spanish.

[Anonymous]

I would be upset if they showed my child TV at pre-school. They can watch TV at home for free. There should be more actively engaging activities at school in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

When is TV / video at preschool ok? Never.

[Anonymous]

Never.

[Anonymous]

Wow.

If this was a one-time thing - you are way overreacting!

I can think of lots of topics that Sesame Street can explain better than the average parent.

If you watch tv at all or read news on the internet, surely you can understand that many different media can contribute to learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow.

If this was a one-time thing - you are way overreacting!

I can think of lots of topics that Sesame Street can explain better than the average parent.

If you watch tv at all or read news on the internet, surely you can understand that many different media can contribute to learning.

You forgot to disclose that you work for pbs?

There is one thing tv can do better than me: dumb-down my child.

[Anonymous]

Generally I'd say never, but I think for a 3-yo Spanish class, a bit of a Dora video would probably teach quite a lot. Its probably a pre-selected one to teach the words they'd been practicing, with maybe a song incorporating the word in. They're 3, how much language are they really absorbing in your standard 30 minute foreign language lesson anyway. Is a 10-minute video going to really distracting the students that much, or is it reinforcing that Spanish can be fun?

[Anonymous]

I think TV causes your average kid a boatload of damage. Does anyone here really think it's a good thing for a preschooler? That school is clearly on a different page than most clear thinking parents. I'd start looking around for a better school that doesn't resort to popping the children in front of a TV. Why would anyone pay for that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow.

If this was a one-time thing - you are way overreacting!

I can think of lots of topics that Sesame Street can explain better than the average parent.

If you watch tv at all or read news on the internet, surely you can understand that many different media can contribute to learning.

You forgot to disclose that you work for pbs?

There is one thing tv can do better than me: dumb-down my child.

I rarely watch tv, actually - but it would be foolish to insist that I am an expert on every subject. Even in AP classes in high school and in the Ivy League school I attended, videos were occasionally used, and seemed to do no harm.

I am trilingual and in many cases, videos helped me understand the culture in ways I couldn't have any other way. I assume the preschool here is not able to take the children on weekly trips to Mexico.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow.

If this was a one-time thing - you are way overreacting!

I can think of lots of topics that Sesame Street can explain better than the average parent.

If you watch tv at all or read news on the internet, surely you can understand that many different media can contribute to learning.

You forgot to disclose that you work for pbs?

There is one thing tv can do better than me: dumb-down my child.

I rarely watch tv, actually - but it would be foolish to insist that I am an expert on every subject. Even in AP classes in high school and in the Ivy League school I attended, videos were occasionally used, and seemed to do no harm.

I am trilingual and in many cases, videos helped me understand the culture in ways I couldn't have any other way. I assume the preschool here is not able to take the children on weekly trips to Mexico.

Excellent example of what a dumbed-down kid grows into.

[Anonymous]

Last time I watched Dora I didn't think it offered more than a few Spanish words. Sure, my kids have picked up hello and goodbye but please! I wouldn't even say they are aware that Dora is speaking another language at times. I'd hardly call that immersing preschoolers into the culture. I'd def talk to the teacher/director about it. You are not paying for their cable bill. The teacher should be much more creative than that for "spanish class."

[Anonymous]

I don't think TV per se is damaging, but kids will get that at home. Preschool should be TV-free. If it were a Mexican or Spanish cartoon, I think it could be helpful. But come on, it was Dora.

[Anonymous]

If the school has an extended day than it makes more sense to me. My daughters school has the class time until 3. If your kid stays longer than 3 than it's just aftercare. Sometimes they watch videos at that time. I'm not positive how often though or if only in the cold months because my daughter is only there until 12. I just know when we did the tour they had a tv and videos and the teacher told my daughter they wouldn't be using it for her class.