Taking Care of Kids’ Eyes
Child, Health, Parenting, Preschool, Toddler, Videos July 25th, 2008Despite the school’s effort to educate the kids with talks from the Ministry of Health and by giving colourful stickers like these to the kids with the important tips printed on them, the damage that too much TV-watching is not good for their eyes, still doesn’t register into their mind.
So to make them SEE the truth, this was what I did! I video-ed the cartoon ‘My Friends Tigger & Pooh’ from Playhouse Disney Channel and SHOWED them what their eyes are actually looking at!
They were shocked! They couldn’t believe that their eyes couldn’t see the disturbing waves on the TV screen. After looking at the video shot for more than 5 seconds, they couldn’t stand it and looked away.
Me: Is this nice to look at?
Boys: No.
Me: Are your eyes painful?
Binbin: Yes.
Keatkeat: I’m feeling giddy…
Me: It’s ok to watch cartoons but not for too long, because THIS IS what your eyes are REALLY looking at. Are your eyes important?
Boys: Yes.
Me: So do you want to spoil them and be like Mommy and Ah Yee (my sis) who need to wear spectacles and without spectacles we cannot see?
Boys: No.
Me: So what must you do?
Binbin: Don’t watch cartoon. (that’s what you can expect from a 3year old)
Keatkeat: No! (Eager to correct his brother) Can watch cartoon but watch a little bit.
Binbin: Orh. Can watch little bit.
Keatkeat: So can we watch this now and after this, we switch off the TV?
Me: *Nodded with a Big Smile*
The recording was done almost 1 month ago, I didn’t want to post it till I see that they really understood the message I was sending to their little growing brain. I want to see actions, I want to see improvements to the length of time they spend infront of that rectangular box.
After 1 month of observation, they did change! Now, the longest time spent on cartoons is 1hour in a row, they used to watch non-stop, till I had to interfere, even then, there were bargaining sessions before the electrical box is completely off.
Not anymore now, I no longer need to say, “You have spent hours on the TV and it’s time to switch it off now”. Ever since that video-shot, they switched off the TV by themselves after one or two 30mins cartoon programmes. *Hooray*
July 26th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Ah! Clever idea, my friend. Clever.
Janets last blog post..Shades of San Francisco: Part I
July 26th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Very creative!
July 26th, 2008 at 5:03 am
That really hurt my eyes to watch that. Wow, that’s scary!
Tammys last blog post..My Mouse Died
July 26th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Smart mommy! I never thought of that! Thanks for sharing :)
LZmommys last blog post..A Call From Her
July 26th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
very smart move! must learn more from you-lah…
post more tips so i will know how to handle my bb when she is older :-)
HV A GREAT WEEKND!
July 27th, 2008 at 12:19 am
hi, first time here, ur kids are smart
Hazels last blog post..Nyonya Food Restaurant
July 27th, 2008 at 4:54 am
I hope this comment doesn’t fail. :)
Anyway, the worst thing a kid can do is watch too much TV. That’s where the brainwashing begins. And soon you have a little consumer monster.
So.. I’m glad for anything that prevents it. :)
Chanis last blog post..Has Ahhhnold Gone Off The Beam?
July 27th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
i like the sticker :D cute….
juliana rws last blog post..Jason’s dog
July 27th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I totally agree that those messages do not register in the minds of kids. Ultimately, it is up to the parents to set the limits. Great idea you had there!
July 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Posted a comment but it didn’t get through, not sure why. Anyway, here’s the re-post:
I totally agree that these messages do not register into the minds of kids. That’s why ultimately, it is up to the parents to set the limits. Great idea you had there!
Ings last blog post..Poem
July 27th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I agree…. agree!!!
will let know Yuvan a lil later…as of now he does watch but now-a-days..he himself choose not to watch after 30 mts or one hour..deftly not cos of the helathy reasons,may be he is not interested to watch one more or he rather wants to do soem other activities like cycling inside the home,writing,peg boards ….
but sure will let know Yuvan !!!
suhanyas last blog post..Keep it up My boy!!!
July 27th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Oh wow!Great post!And it’s true, it actually damages our eyes.I keep saying that to my kids,but never occurred me to do this.Loved it!
xoxoxo
Sandras last blog post..6 Years Ago…
July 27th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Great idea! But mommy, my girl hardly watch any TV but her degrees is 200 on each side leh!
Binbin is really a cutie..: )
Blessed mums last blog post..Silly Old Man
July 27th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I am guilty of watching too much TV myself, as for Dot, the only TV time for him is a half an hour cartoon when we were handling the morning rush.
After he’s back home from school, he’s busy with his toys and bugging us, so TV show would be last thing on his mind, except the twice a week Animal Planet show.
KMs last blog post..
July 28th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
good lesson mommy! i always put evans chair a certain distance away from the tv cause of his eyes and that!
July 29th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Smart you!!! Hmm i wonder if i could used the same trick next time bila i have my own kids d. :D hmm.. “clap, clap,clap” for you!!! :D