A couple weeks ago I had a doozie of a Fairfield moment when I went for an interview at the Waldorf pre-school my son will be attending in the fall. I had talked with other Waldorf parents beforehand and knew pretty much what to expect: a lovely teacher; beautiful grounds with a garden the children help tend and bunnies to play with; a schoolroom that features natural materials, no TVs or computers or plastic toys to be found.
I also knew from the other parents that Waldorf education frowns upon TV viewing for young children, both at school and at home. During our interview, I quickly learned that they aren’t kidding around about this! Waldorf education is all about focusing on imagination and creativity and the natural rhythms of nature, and they believe that TV and computers hamper a young child’s creative development.
After her very convincing arguments about TV’s damaging effect on children J’s age, the teacher then asked me how often he watches the stuff. I admitted that he watches 3-4 times per week, but promised to do better. I got a little lecture on the topic that I would rather not repeat!
I have to admit that our son’s TV watching in the past has really been a result of lazy parenting on our part. Glen and I aren’t always the cheeriest people first thing in the morning, so when J would come into our room in the morning and ask to watch “just a wittle bit of TV,” it was easier to flip on Sesame Street than to argue with him, and it meant another half hour of sleep for us.
I’ve never really felt proud of this pattern, and I’ve been looking for an excuse to cut TV out of his diet. After the Waldorf interview, Glen and I talked and decided to turn off the TV while J is awake.
I was a little nervous that this change would result in daily tantrums from our little guy, but I’ve been thrilled at how smoothly the transition has gone. The first couple mornings he pouted when we denied his TV and computer time requests, but it has been over two weeks without TV and he no longer even asks for it! Instead, he brings books to us in the morning, and we read stories together, then sometimes we’ll get up to do a little yoga, or water the garden, or he’ll play quietly while I work at the computer.
I can’t believe how easy this transition has been! I’m grateful to the Waldorf teacher for giving our family the gentle nudge we needed to make the switch.
[Missy is a mom, wife, web content consultant, & local business owner who also blogs at Hugging the Midline.]
My mom turned off the TV when I was about 4 when she noticed my zombie-like state in front of it. We then pretty much only had TV for the occasional rented movie until I was in about 7th grade I think. She really involved us in a lot of craft projects to keep us entertained instead and I like to think that greatly contributed to my creative thinking, general resourcefulness and joy in making things. Glad to hear the transition went smoothly!
I grew up on lots and lots of TV. Several hours a day. Around 1997 I guess, when Dawn and I moved in together, we canceled our cable and have been free of broadcast TV ever since. I do not miss it one bit.
Currently our daughter sees a movie maybe once a month and about 2-3x a month gets a little time on http://pbskids.org/ (where she can watch cartoons). It's not easy: movies/TV/video is an easy way for parents to give themselves a break.
I really do believe it makes a difference. Our daughter is really focused on creative play throughout the whole day and it's exciting to witness that imagination at work. I've even become more inspired to cut down on my nightly YouTube/Torrent video watching.
Every parent should read "The Plug-In Drug" I have a copy that I'd happily lend to anyone; just email me at jmasover@gmail.com. TV and computer use was a major battleground in our home, and it was never resolved – the video games are even more addictive than TV. I could never get my husband to disconnect the cable for even a single month, because some sport was always in season — your example speaks louder than your words.
But there is a quote from Latin that's laster over 2000 years: "Dosis facit venemon"…"It is the dose that makes the poison". Even hemlock, which killed Socrates, is beneficial in small quantities. So don't go nuts on this; a little TV won't kill 'em.
Today I'm working from home with a closed door while our son is with a babysitter in the next room. Normally I would have suggested a video to help keep him from running in here every 5 minutes, but today they're building a pirate ship together — a much more creative and fun activity!
Way to go! I'm impressed and inspired.
I agree that too much or arguably any TV isn't great for kids. But this is an issue I have with schools like Waldorf…its not right to shame parents into fitting into a philosophy. You are the parents and it should be your decision whether or not to allow your child to watch tv.
I'm curious Elise, do you have experience with other parents of Waldorf programs who "shamed" you, or do you get that from your experience with the Waldorf organization in general?
It's tough for me – I have a dislike of TV and am proud to not have it in my home, and I don't intend that to be a point of shame for anyone who disagrees or has Sesame Street on every morning. But often I encounter this perception of *shaming*, for lack of a better word.
I wouldn't say we were shamed into fitting into a philosophy. For a long time we had talked about limiting/cutting out tv for our son. We had just been too lazy to do it! We needed that extra push, and I'm glad we got it.