Television for an 11-month-old. What's too much?

I babysit my niece a lot. Often I'll put on a Baby Einstien DVD while we play, for background noise. If I need to do dishes, laundry or get dinner ready I'll put her in her play-pen and let her focus on one.

I usually let her watch two on YouTube while she eats. It helps so I can clean, but I worry that I'm not playing with her enough to help her developmentally.

Is this too much Einstien? Does anyone know any interactive games I can play with her to help her learn and develop as she should? She's doing all the average 11-month-old things like verbalizing, standing and she just started "dancing " to music, but I want to be sure she's getting all she can from our time together.

A few minutes a day is plenty

She shouldn't be watching while she eats at all

And I think that you have it on too much. If you need background noise, use a radio

How can it be too much? It's not gonna kill her

Quoting Jays*Mama:" How can it be too much? It's not gonna kill her"

Really?

TV is so bad for developing minds.

obviously a LITTLE bit is okay, but all day long and while eating is terrible

DD is 10 months and watches all day long. The tv is on from 7am here till I go to bed around 2:30 - 3am.

So we spend all day in the living room if we are not gone out that day etc....she plays and watches when she feels like it etc.....but as soon as my other kids get home cartoons are on till bedtime for the most part if we are home.

Why is she watching them while she is eating? I know they are educational but the less the tv is on the better... Kids/ babies thrive and develop from interaction from person to person and get more out of those interactions vs watching tv

<blockquote><b>Quoting Kelly&Coralie:</b>" Really? TV is so bad for developing minds. obviously a LITTLE bit is okay, but all day long and while eating is terrible"</blockquote>




Why does it matter if the noise is from a tv or radio? Both noise

No more than a few minutes a day.

Quoting Jays*Mama:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Kelly&Coralie:</b>" Really? TV is so bad for developing ... [snip!] ... day long and while eating is terrible"</blockquote> Why does it matter if the noise is from a tv or radio? Both noise"

noise isn't the issue

Its kids sitting there rotting thier brains with TV

A radio just provides music while kids do other things. A TV sucks kids in while watching

I dont believe tv rotts brains at all. lol

But thats my opinon. lol

Just because there is a tv on doesn't mean parents are not playing with their kids or they aren't playing by themselves. My tv is on all day but my son doesn't sit there and watch it the whole day. I watched tv a lot as a kid and I'm fine.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Kelly&Coralie:</b>" A few minutes a day is plenty She shouldn't be watching while she eats at all And I think that you have it on too much. If you need background noise, use a radio"</blockquote>




Good idea. Thank you:-).

OP I think you're doing fine with your niece.
We have the TV on at my house from the time we're awake to the time we're in bed. My kids watch a LOT of TV, but they still interact with us and play normally. (They even want to go outside to play a lot)
I don't believe TV is the devil like some people say. It's perfectly fine.

Thanks everyone for responding, I appreciate it. I do think I should cut down on the TV, and I have been feeling a little iffy about her watching while she eats.

I think I'll pay that library fee and rent some books on tape for her.

Does anyone know of any interactive games I could play with her that are age-aproppriate?

<blockquote><b>Quoting thisunrest:</b>" Thanks everyone for responding, I appreciate it. I do think I should cut down on the TV, and I have been ... [snip!] ... and rent some books on tape for her. Does anyone know of any interactive games I could play with her that are age-aproppriate?"</blockquote>




Building blocks, musical instruments, peek a boo