7 Great Alternatives to Watching TV

The lure of quiet tots - their eyes glassy and focused, their attention riveted to a tiny screen full of color and exuberant characters cheerfully calling out for ‘Mr. Toodles’ - may seem like a heaven-sent temptation for a busy working mother like yourself. One click is all you need to send your tot off to animated land, leaving you with hours of uninterrupted personal time.

But why is TV-watching discouraged for tots? Miel Sadhwani, a preschool teacher at Brent International School and mom to Natalia, 4, notes the following reasons:

- Some cartoons made for the whole family contain the words “idiot,” “moron,” “crap,” “ass,” and “stupid.” Hardly the words you’d want to hear your child to utter.
- Explosions, car chases, guns, and violent weapons abound in many cartoons today. Studies have shown that children who witness violence in TV shows tend to exhibit aggressive behavior more.
- Every minute spent lounging in front of the TV is a minute lost in trying to develop fine
motor skills, such as drawing and writing, and gross motor skills, such as running and jumping.
- Researchers agree that children who watch television for longer hours tend to have more problems with obesity.

There are great alternatives out there to TV-watching. Check out these ideas your kids can do by themselves, leaving you free to catch up with your monthly bills.

1. Cook it up!
A kiddie kitchen set is one of the best investments you can make as a mother. Children are fascinated by the endless possibilities brought upon by an empty pan and visions of their favorite snacks. Hear them humming as they cook hotdogs and eggs on a sizzling pan. Feel your heart melt as they serve you coffee while you work. Pizza is another great favorite.

Smart tip: Choose a child-friendly kitchenware set. Make sure the pieces are large enough to avoid accidentally choking on the pretend food. Watch out for toys that easily break as these may cause scratches or wounds.

2. Block city
A two-storey castle with a staircase leading up to the tower. The office building where Papa works. A house with a slide, a pool, and animals wandering about. Go back to the basics and introduce your child to the simple life of olden days, when toys did not move on their own, did not talk, and  did not think for themselves.

Smart tip: Choose blocks that are affordable, durable, and earth-friendly all at once. Try Ecobloks at brusselsprouts.multiply.com or any of the Plan Toys eco-products at Rustan’s.

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3. Picture books
A picture is worth a thousand words. This old adage holds especially true for wordless books that stir the imagination. Aside from encouraging the verbal skills of your little one, these books also promote observational skills. The best part is you don’t have to read it to him!

Our faves: Truck by Donald Crews; The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher by Molly Bang; Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie de Paola

4. Puzzle time
Problem-solving is an invaluable skill children need to develop in order to help them through the trials they will inevitably encounter in their everyday lives. As they move each piece, trying to figure out how they fit together, your child learns the value of persistence and of looking at things from different angles.

Smart tip: Start out with simple puzzles for toddlers. Two-in-one nine-piece puzzles by Mudpuppy (available at Powerbooks and Fully Booked) work wonders for this age group. Introduce complex ones as your child grows more adept with puzzles.   

5. Idea bag
A sure boredom-buster, gather some index cards and brainstorm with your child about possible activities he can do while you’re working. Write them down on the cards, and keep them safely stored inside the bag. Some ideas to try: Create animals out of modeling clay, read a book, draw his favorite toy, and make a collage. Pick a card the moment the words “I’m bored” come out of your child’s mouth.

6. Magnets
This is a guaranteed crowd pleaser that educates at the same time. The fascination over why the pieces stick to each other, the reasons why they repel, and the infinite games they can create all lead to hours of exploration and discovery.

Smart tip: Have a variety of magnets available. The more popular shapes are: horseshoe, balls, wands, and bars.

7. Playhouse
The ultimate fantasy of every little girl is a playhouse she can make into her very own. Boys, on the other hand, need a fort they can defend from enemy spies. Keep your child’s imagination active by providing him with a huge box that can be turned into almost anything he wants it to be.

Smart tip: Television boxes are perfect for creating a playhouse. Or simply purchase a balikbayan box from the bookstore.

Photo from flickr creativecommons