Learning From TV

There are times when I don't really pay much attention to my kids, especially when they are watching good TV shows. So it's really a delight for me when they learn something new.

It caught me by surprise when my 2 year old showed me a yellow toy and she said, "Amarillo." Another time, she was trying to reach something and she called for my help saying, "Mommy, help. Ayudame." All these she learned from watching "Dora the Explorer." As we are not Spanish speaking people, it's good to know that my kids can learn a new language just by watching TV.

My older daughter learned about fortissimo, adagio, crescendo and other musical terms. She also became aware of different classical compositions from watching "Little Einsteins." I sometimes catch her humming classical tunes while playing with her toys.

Because of "Elmo's World," going to the dentist was a breeze for my 6 year old and she actually had fun while having a prophylaxis. Watching an episode about babies also helped prepare her for the birth of her younger sister when she was just 3 years old.

There are so many things a child could learn just by watching television. I just hope more child-friendly and educational shows will proliferate on TV. Truth is, even I, do learn something new from watching these shows.