Do you have tv viewing/video game playing restrictions? I've been reading alot on another board and they don't have those restrictions. So, I was wondering what other people do? I myself do have restrictions because of my comfort zone ie-I think too much tv/videogames can be harmful. Then again, I'm not a true unschooler(my ds is 3 yo). But, I'm VERY interested and learning alot. So, do you? Thanks! :)

We do have restrictions but they have nothing to do with my homeschooling philosophy - more of a general family atmosphere preference. ;) Sam doesn't watch TV unless he is really sick, like fever-and-puking-and-doesn't-want-to-move-sick. The TV that is in our family room is in a closet behind bifold doors, so it's not part of our everyday experience. We have a few videos which are available on a very occasional basis - things like Walking with Dinosaurs from BBC, and Schoolhouse Rock. I'd say he watches a video once every week or two.

After some trial and error, we came to the decision to severely limit TV time in order to benefit all of us. It's not easier for me in the sense that I don't get a 30 minute break while he watches a show, but it is easier for me in that his behavior is much better and his attention span is much improved when he is not watching TV on a regular basis. Please note that I know that this is not true for every child, but I know that Sam does much better with no TV.

Tara

We have taken the plunge into unschooling and also really limit television...because I believe it to be harmful to everyone...not just young children.
We do watch some videos some of the time...some days moreso than others...it just depends on our needs at the time.

I try to scan the satellite guide once a week to see if there is anything of interest coming on Reading Rainbow or the animal/discovery channels. We are big fans of "Be The Creature" with the Kratt Bros...which we tape and watch in sections throughout the week. I do find that Eli (4.5) learns a great deal from what educational programming we do watch...I always try to follow it up with something actual...and physical...to act out what we've seen or to actually try to "Be The Creature"...Lemurs was great fun...anyhow, you know your child best. Some unschoolers don't have any problems with TV...and some do.
It's basically just up to you.

My ds is only 3.5, so right now we are still unschoolers (and will probably remain so).:) I don't have a big problem with tv, but I also don't let him sit in front of it all day either. We don't have cable, so he watches only videos. I tape a few shows for him at my parent's house. That way I can just fast forward through the ridiculous commercials. He watches probably and hour a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. He has an imagination that never stops. All day long he needs to be involved in some sort of imaginary scenario, usually involving superheroes. After he is done watching a show, he loves to act out the scenes and pretends his lego people are good and bad guys. He does this all day long, even during meals. At dinner, he even asks for spinach and broccoli to get big muscles (like the superheroes, of course). He has never been one of those children who stacks blocks or cups peacefully, sits at the table drawing pictures. Nope - everything has to involve some sort of dramatic story. So I see tv as giving him some more ideas for pretend play. Of course, we also read a big stack of books every day as well.:)

I consider us unschoolers.

I don't limit tv-watching. There are times when I say, "Okay, turn the tv off and go play something." and they do it, no fussing. I don't look at that as limiting the tv, since they don't fight me on it or anything. I just don't really like tv and it irks me to have it on so often. :o

Originally posted by tara
We do have restrictions but they have nothing to do with my homeschooling philosophy - more of a general family atmosphere preference. Tara

That would be us too. We limit the time they spend on either.

Thanks for the replies! Wow Laurie, very well said. I agree with many things you said.

I try not to make watching/not watching TV a huge deal and it's working fine for us. We don't have satellite or cable, as others have said, I consider that a family preference (we do all agree on that). So there are few options in terms of watching. Katie enjoys Reading Rainbow and Between the Lions and we do watch videos sometimes too. Overall, I haven't found excessive viewing to be an issue. If she watches more than one show a day, I might ask her what's going on, is she bored, would she like to do x or y with me? She usually watches either due to boredom (easily cured without TV!), genuine interest (loves to watch Between the Lions to help w/reading), or b/c she's feeling sick and not up to playing (rare). If it's boredom I'll suggest other things but let it go if she wants to continue watching.

Overall my kids probably watch 3 hours of NONcommercial TV a week on average. I'm cool with that. ;)

We do not have a television, because we believe it is actively bad for all of us. Also, for little ones, I just do not think it's developmentally appropriate before, say, 7 or so. Then, I don't know. We don't leave a person's house if it's on, but if no one is watching it, we tend to turn it off. We also do not let other people show our kids videos for the developmental reason. This is just our belief. As far as computer games go, well as you might have guessed, we don't do those either. I am not sure if they are developmentally appropriate before more like 12 or so, when a child has more ability to do some logical thinking and discerning real from not.

The main thing that bothers me about TV is the commercialism. When the girls watch, we watch together and discuss what they are viewing, especially the commericials. I mean even PBSkids is laden with commercialism now. Their time is limited (especially by my having to be there). Now, they will watch videos at times without me. Generally, it is more in the winter as it gives some quiet to the choas of being inside so much. This time of year, they probably watch an hour a week, usually on Sat and Sun morning before breakfast. I do HUGE breakfasts then and they take a while.