@stassit So we instituted a rule of one hour a day of TV in our house and no phone time for the little guy. He’s gonna be 2 in October.
This was met with rebuke from my MIL who has part time care. I was getting a little tired of every time I went to check in on them he was in front of the TV with a stack of crackers. Caused a bit of a fight because whenever I suggest something she doesn’t hear the suggestion. She just hears “You’re a bad Grammy” which isn’t true. My wife did a good job smoothing it out.
As other posters have said, they don’t need “educational” TV. They need outside time, ways to practice fine motor control and lots of time watching us communicate with each other and them.
I don’t kid myself. I know screen time will ramp up as he gets older. I’m just trying not to create a little air conditioned TV bubble boy. I want a mud slicked busted knee explorer. Don’t get me wrong TVs great but it shouldn’t raise your kids. We love Miss Rachel… well he does. As well as Bluey and little bear.
The habit I really see taking hold though is his love of books. We have read tens of books each day since he was born. Before 99% of naps and before every bedtime. I take him to the library once a week and pick up 20 new books each time. The library limit is 60 items. Sometimes it’s just he and I, other days momma needs a new crime novel and we make a field trip out of it on a Saturday.
Now, when he is bored of his toys and crayons, I’ll sometimes find him in the little reading nook I have setup for him in the loft. We have pillows and blankets and a book shelf that we keep about half his books in. There are so many books I want to give him when he’s ready. The Redwall series by Brian Jacques we’ll probably read together before bedtime. I loved those books as a kid.
I also make sure we get out everyday. Whether it’s the park, pool, library or even going to the store. He takes a hot wheel car with him and I keep snacks in my bag. He’s happy as a clam.
For my wife and I it’s important that he is able to imagine, ideate, and be content without an iPad or the TV. That’s why we have these limits RN. Time for these things will increase as he becomes more mature but with accompanying conversations of the importance of entertaining yourself and learning things outside of various types of online and broadcast media.
Either way you’re doing great Dad just by showing up and asking these questions