I have a 7yr old girl who does not want to watch TV or Movies. I thought that getting sky would help so she could watch what other kids watch. I have even forced her to watch dvd's -- and then she gets really moody. I thought watching the same things as her peers might make her more socially acceptable or help her to relate to the games kids play at school, as she is a loner at school.
Any suggestions -- or am I worrying about nothing. Most parents are wanting kids to watch less tv. It makes for a long day in school hols.
My 7 y.o girl *does* watch tv... but then it turns out she doesn't really watch the same stuff as her peers anyhow.
I don't know if tv/dvd-watching would necessarily be of help in your daughter's situation, but I can relate to how you worry as a parent though. Perhaps other people will have some good ideas that might help your daughter - without her having to watch tv or DVDs! :-)
Hi there, i have a 5 year old girl who never watches TV, hard work but really great! However she will sit and listen to music. Would your daughter prefer to watch something that may interest her such as a science, history or national geographic programme, my 7 year old loves to watch these. If she could go to the library would she be interested in looking in the adult section to see if there is anything like this that may interest her? After all alot of kids TV is mindless anyway, and something educational may suit her more.?
How does your daughter feel about relating to the games the other kids play? Does she want to join in with them? If so, then maybe you could convince her to watch one or two episodes of the popular shows so that she has some familiarity with what the other children may be talking about, understanding of who the characters are etc. Whether or not we like it, popular culture does play a large part in the lives of children.
If your daughter has no interest in joining in with the others' games, can you ask a teacher if the teacher can identify anyone your daughter might 'connect' with, either a 'like mind' (another gifted child?) or someone who may at least have a common interest (a sport, musical instrument, love of books etc). Perhaps you could find out if there are any popular books that others are reading that your daughter might have read too (although it's possible/likely that her reading interests are different to most of her peers) to give her something to talk about with the other kids.
I have one who enjoys a few programs but simply cannot sit still long enough to really watch them. It's hard work when you're at home all day. Now C has own ideas but it can still be a challenge. When C was younger I made a list - 10pt font on A4 sized paper - of *all* the activities we could start if we were lost for something to do. I even categorised them - science activities, outdoor activities (parks, , walks we could go on, things like bikeriding, rollerblading, duck-feeding), paid entertainment (museums, aquarium, shows etc), indoor games etc. It did not mean that everything was structured - we still maintained spontaneity. Often all that was needed was to find an idea that suited and things would take off from there.
I am not sure what games they play at school that come from TV as it isn't something my daughter has ever commented on. In my experience (11 year old daughter) websites and music seem to play a bigger part in relating to each other. There are website with games from popular TV programmes especially the Sky ones so if she wanted to know the characters and what they go up to then she could do it without watching TV. Many of them also have activities to do off the computer too. Of course most TV programme are available as books too.
I love Tahlia's list of activities although we have the opposite problem as my daugher has so many ideas for things to do that she can't fit them all in (and they all make a mess).
Thanks for your comments. I have taken her out today to the carters observatory and she seems to have like that -- although very impossible to tell. She remembers all the star names etc that I can't remember. This is I suppose my problem -- I can't gauge when she is happy, engaged, enthused. I have other children and find it easy to relate to them. I thought even if we watched dvd's together -- we could have some common ground to talk on. She has no friends at school and doesn't want to do the activities that other kids really do.
When I invite kids over I end up entertaining them and my 7yr old gets bored. She does learn spanish but the tutor comes to us and she doesn't need to interact with other kids -- which she is happy with, as other kids annoy her by playing around instead of learning.
Thanks you for all your comments -- I think I will just have the try harder to engage with my child and get her to write a list of activities that we can try to do together.
Sounds like a psychologist may be helpful in determining what's going on from just personality difference making understanding each other difficult through to the unlikely but best to know early situations such as dyspraxia, depression, etc.
Very hopeful that you can keep communication channels open and find ways to engage with her so you know she's emotionally well. Any other trusted adults that can provide a sounding board/extra support for her?
My dd never wants to watch tv/movies either and she's 14. Don't worry about it. One thing she does is sort of watch while doing other things; maths, drawing, whatever. It irritates me but I have learned that she is actually taking in the program/movie as well because she'll laugh when it's funny or even cry when it's sad though it looks like she isn't paying any attention!
When she was younger she was never interested in kiddie tv shows or movies, ever. She thought they were stupid (still does) and it hasn't affected her friendships at all.
Thanks anon -- you get it why it irritates me. My friend say just take her to movies and she will get used to it. 1. Costly and 2. If she is bored WHY.
My 7yr enjoys writing most of the day -- these school hols she has been environmentally conscious and we have had posters put around the house and have been reminded to save water and electricity and to recycle, reuse and reduce. Its been a very controlled 14 days for the whole household.
Hi again Cole, just a thought.......you could try getting or recording programs that are about her interests.....at the moment you say she's really into environmental issues, maybe you could look for something on that subject. And don't worry too much about it being age appropriate (unless it's inappropriate if you know what I mean!) because she'll take whatever she can out of it, the rest will go over her head. This may or may not work, but worth a try. The only things my dd will actually watch are usually non-fiction programs about whatever subject interests her at that time. We've gone through art, cooking, ice skating, dance, etc and now it's all gymnastics! You tube is fantastic for finding things to watch of interest as well.
