TV and visual media

Hmmm TV and its use

Few weeks back, I watched “Fashion movie” with a 14 and 9 yr old girl – I was glued to the movie as much they were – in the middle of the movie we were wondering “can drugs really kill your senses?” “Why will someone like do that”? “Is she aware of what she is doing?” Recently I saw “Amadus Mozart” with my daughter and we could discuss the movie for hours………………including his filthy language (Mozart telling his girl friend “tae ym this - eat my shit”).

 I find it difficult to watch Chota Bheem and Spider man beyond one time, while my son can watch for many many times – I am trying to understand what does one need to be able to watch Chota bheem for 13 times – I am on my journey with my son.

I like advertisement – mostly kids at O-campus or at my home update me with the advertisements – they also explain to me with their thoughts. We also ponder “does someone really become tall or wise with any Bournvita or Horlicks and we also survey the children who drink these additives in their milk and are not tall ……….or the one who do not eat and are tall or in spite of fairness cream one is still dark or how can the skin color make to talk on the stage or what is difference in silk and plain Cadbury – is or worth the cost difference and what are the other alternatives or how one can think of a lines which are so close to hearts “hare k friend are (Airtel)………….the list is long.

The TOPICS and the curiosity which these advertisements generate – I could not have discussed without these visual aids? J

I like acting like chota Bheem or spider man or Dora – Its just that I am not able to and kids find my efforts futile and funny.

Yes I see a tremendous learning value in TV – it is not the TV but we need to change the way we look at TV. My daughter is into "Hannah Montana" - she has read all her books, watched various episodes of the play. movie etc etc - The pleasure, the thoughts, the inspiration she drives is worth watching :). My son is into Chota Bheem  - the details, the fun, the passion, the expressions, the narrations...........he shares are worth enjoying watching with him.

 Addiction to TV  - hmmm a very important topic.

In my opinion child watches TV endlessly in the absence of other interesting things to do, when I used to feel bored, I used to flip channels endlessly, sometimes even for 2hiurs and at the end crib “nothing interesting – its waste of time”. Do you also do?

I have found many other things to do :) now I do not flip channels. I watch TV with kids for my interest (understand children and their needs). I still do not find TV to be useful for me, but I do watch good movies to know about history, people, relationship, thoughts………………something which I cannot read always in three hours.

Personally I feel – what has missed in the process is the doing part or this media and use of it to -

Keep the child inactive OR Feed the food OR Kill time OR Keep some silence in the house OR I get some time, while child is busy watching TV ......and the list is long.

 I find all VISUAL media appealing and effective as a learning tool

• It can tell you something in one second
• It can make you feel what you cannot read
• It can show you something you cannot imagine

As an educator I find all kinds of animations very creative – the stories, the animation, the impossible actions………….list is long.

ENJOY watching.