TV -vs- Radio????

[AngieB]

For about the last 2 years we have cut our TV viewing back to almost none. Kids get to watch a movie on Friday night and they may watch another sometime durning the weekend. Durning the week the TV is never on when the kids are awake, DH and I sometimes watch something after they go to bed. However we have the radio on all day, from the time we wake up to when we go to bed. Usually it's NPR and sometime music.
I've been wondering is that just as bad as TV? I don't think the kids are paying attention to it but sometimes they will ask a question about something that is being reported or talk about it later.
So is the Radio being on just as bad as the TV always being on, not as bad but not great or it's just fine. What do you think?

[De-lovely]

No way do I think Radio is as bad as TV.....I wish we had a radio to have NPR on all day.,.....maybe you could play some MORE music than NPR if you feel like it interferes with your day at all. If you homeschool, what about an international music lesson courtesy of the local library? I think NPR is fantastic and see nothing really wrong with it......MUSIC is my first love so I think its completely necessary for daily life.

[mammal_mama]

To my way of thinking, radio (or, in our case, audiobooks) still allows lots of room for kids to use their imaginations and visualize, whereas TV does all their visualizing for them and they're just getting to enjoy what someone else imagined. I think as long as the radio's not so loud it imposes itself on their imaginary play, some background music or talk is perfectly normal. In a way, it maybe replaces some of the bustle of tribal life that we often miss in our modern, often isolated neighborhoods.

[Jster]

I'm a radio/no TV person, and I think it provides a nice amount of adult stimulation. In fact, while I'm cooking, I feel overwhelmed if I *don't* have my radio on (like the last few days since my kitchen radio broke!)

TV makes my kids into zombies, or at least my older one. Radio might give them a little thought provoking exposure, but doesn't keep them from being active on their own, which is the important distinction to me. HTH!

[lilyka]

I think the TV is far worse. Just by what it does to my mind and feelings ect compare to radio.

[philomom]

With radio you still get to create the images in your mind.

[Fiercemama]

I'm also a no TV but radio OK person.

However, for a long time I made a point of not listening to the news with DD around. I just don't want to explain about some story about child porn or child abductions. Now that she's older (4.5 yrs) I sometimes listen to the CBC morning show (probably our local comparison to NPR) interviews, but will switch to the jazz station if the hourly news comes up. DD actually pretty much always asks me what their talking about, and it has led to some pretty interesting conversations. About 6 mos ago, we had the international AIDS conference in our city, and it was an awesome opportunity to talk with her about so many different things. But I will talk with my daughter about almost anything.

If I get to the point where I'm not listening to the radio, then I either chose a CD that suits my mood or go for quiet. I don't enjoy it just as background noise.

[bugmenot]

Originally Posted by philomom

With radio you still get to create the images in your mind.

Exactly.

And you almost need a radio. If the summer temperature suddenly drops 15 degrees and the sky turns black, you need to know what's going on, or if it's a watch/warning, or something else.

I know a lot of people probably don't like the "news" aspect of TV/radio, but there are a few times when you'll be glad you're tuned in. Radio is also great for those winter mornings so you can find out if the kids have to go to school (if you don't homeschool.)

[Sagesgirl]

I think NPR is probably pretty good to listen to. I seem to remember them as being not sensationalist at all with their news, and I'm all for well-informed children (and adults). And of course NPR has other good programming that's not news-based but still good for learning.

The only problem I have with radio is that I listen to Neal Boortz in the morning on my computer; the show streamed from his flagship station in Atlanta (we're in San Antonio), and my kid sometimes pays a little too much attention to the commercials (hey, the tunes are catchy) so sometimes I have to put up with her singing a certain jingle for an out-of-state electrician. : But I know NPR is commercial free, so that can't possibly be an issue for you.

[aeiouys]

Originally Posted by Jster

I'm a radio/no TV person, and I think it provides a nice amount of adult stimulation. In fact, while I'm cooking, I feel overwhelmed if I *don't* have my radio on (like the last few days since my kitchen radio broke!)

I know exactly what you mean. I need my radio on in order to get anything done in the kitchen!


We also have the radio on all day. The tv is only on for a few shows during the week.

[EnviroBecca]

NPR news is not sensationalist, but it can be very grim. My mother listened to the entire "All Things Considered" show every day when I was a kid, and she turned it up really loud so she could hear it over the stove exhaust fan, so I could not escape it without leaving the house. I heard many horrifying descriptions of the war in Lebanon. Creating the images in your mind is not always a good thing!

Other than that, I think the only problem with radio is if you want to hear every word and are constantly shushing your kids as a result. To me, the "ATC" theme music still means, "Shut up and go away," and is kind of a downer even though I now find the program interesting.

The big advantage of radio over TV is that radio listening does not cause eye and brain damage the was TV watching does.

[AngieB]

I know what you mean about NPR's news stories sometimes being to much for young kids and I turn it down when I think the story may not be ok for them to hear.

[momto l&a]

Originally Posted by philomom

With radio you still get to create the images in your mind.

:

Radio still allows you to use your imagination. Just like reading a book IMO