Thanks for your thoughtful and interesting comment. I must say however, that your experience differs greatly from mine. I never did spend a lot of time entertaining my first child (or my subsequent ones), and I never felt the need to do so. My oldest daughter seemed to initiate creative play on her own without my intervention. I still remember her walking around the house at less than age 2 carrying a bottle of shampoo like a doll, putting it to bed, feeding it, etc. Blue Baby she called it. In fact I remember finding it fascinating that she would have come up with this game on her own at such a young age.

I can only speak about children who have never had TV at home. It could be that the innate ability (and I do believe it is innate and not taught) to play creatively is inhibited by TV and when TV is abruptly taken away, then children are at a loss for what to do. These children perhaps do need to be pushed and assisted in beginning to play imaginatively. Or perhaps parents feel that there is a need to step in to assist with play before really watching to see if their child begins on his own.

To speak in Montessori terms: is there perhaps a “sensitive period” for the development of creative play skills? If so, then children who are not given the opportunity to develop these skills during that sensitive period (by being plopped in front of a TV for example) may have trouble developing them later. I don’t know, but it would make for an interesting study.

In my experience, I don’t think that raising children without TV has to be more time-consuming on the part of the parent. It has certainly not been for me. Weaning them off TV if they have begun life with it might be more of a challenge.

As a TV-free mom, I must also add that my observations differ from that of your TV-free friends. I really do feel that my oldest was never “taught” to play imaginatively by me, or anyone else.

Thanks again for your input!

I think you DO have to play/entertain and most importantly teach your child how to play imaginatively up to about age 4 or 5, at which point, he or she then has the tools to know how to play. (Doesn’t count for siblings- the older teach the younger this skill).

I try not to tell people that it will be easy to raise children without TV. It was absolutely HARD the first years when I looked, sometimes longingly at the TV wishing to plop him in front of it. It required a lot of time and effort on my part to entertain him. It also required study on my part – really- books, articles, etc on imaginative play…then it all came back to me!

My TV-free friends with more than one tell me this only applies to the first one…the first teaches the others how to play…so one is looking at perhaps 5 years of playing part time (remember they nap a lot in the early years) with a child and viola…they learn how to imaginatively play.

BTW- missed that NPR report..thaks!

No, really, my biggest problem is that I’m finding that because there are no adults around that I enjoy the tv MORE just to have voices around me. Sad of me, I know.

There’s nothing wrong with a child being bored. I think it is a healthy stage in maturing and developing a greater sense of self and understanding of the opportunities that surround us.

I’ve been thinking briefly about homeschooling (VERY briefly), and I (again like you) don’t think I have it in me. I know I could handle the education part of it, but to be attached all day to the kids would brake me! :) I had a very positive public school experience. I think I’ll just wait and see how things go for my kids… I always look forward to the first day of school and lightening my “load” at home. Next year, my oldest will be in K and my middle son will go to preschool 2 days a week. I’m almost giddy! :) LOL! See…. I don’t think homeschooling is for me….

Also, this whole post reminds me of the Simple and Slow Fridays carnival I host over at my place. Maybe you’d like to check it out?

Anyway, nice to pop in and “chat” again. Looking forward to our next meeting as always! :)