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My children are 3 and 5 and definitely watch more TV than recommended.  I grew up with completely unrestricted access to TV - and I was watching Dallas and Dukes of Hazzard, not the preschooler-friendly fare found on PBS Sprout and NickJr that my children are allowed to watch.  I grew up to graduate college, get a masters degree, have a successful career, and many interests outside of television. I was also raised to love reading - my mom read to me daily from birth on and a Saturday at the library was equally as likely as a Saturday spent in front of the TV.

My children watch TV, but we also spend a lot of quality time reading and doing things outdoors, and the TV is off between 9am and 5pm.  My 5 year old is very bright, social and interested in many things besides TV.  My 3 year old has mastered nearly all the items on the kindergarten readiness list.

TV is just one part of the equation and is not the devil or the cause of children's brains to rot that many people would like you to believe. 

Naomi in NE Portland

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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