Honestly, I really don't agree. I was in a master's program when I had my daughter and if I needed a break, I would put my daughter in the swing and she would be enthralled with baby einstein. This was for about 30 minutes.

When she was younger and wanted to watch something, we always put in something educational and age-appropriate.

My daughter is 3 years old, and she started talking very early (full sentences by 1). This is because my husband and I have constantly read to her, showed her books and would talk to her all the time in conversation-style, even when she was very young.

We still choose her shows, and the TV is never is left on. She doesn't nap anymore but sleeps about 11 hours at night so I'll let her watch a show or two for about an hour for her relaxing time. My daughter is so energetic and rarely slows down so this time actually allows her to sit and relax.

I believe everything in moderation and truly it's what you want. If you don't want your child to see TV before 2, then that's your decision and it should be respected.

There are so many rules on what to do and what not to do. I think when parents relax and truly take time to engage with their kids, it shows and that's what matters.

But, I'm always interested in hearing other sides.

What do you all think?

I believe it was 1999 when the American Academy of Pediatrics first recommended "no t.v. for children under two." And yet parents keep buying products like "Baby Einstein." Don't get me started on that product! The name alone makes me want to pull my hair out (even on days when my hair is better than Einstein's). Despite the lawsuits waged about how misleading the name is, the company apparently still thrives in this technology-driven age. Television is NOT for babies. Even Sesame Street, in its conception, was designed for PRE-SCHOOLERS, not toddlers or babies. Back then, there was no point in marketing television programming for babies. Who would set their baby in front of the t.v.? Then marketers discovered that brand sensitivity can begin in children as young as fifteen months. Hence, came programming aimed specifically at infants and toddlers. A few years ago, I read a book on the ethics of marketing TO babies (not their parents, but the babies themselves.) I learned about the concept of "KGOY" (Kids Getting Older Younger...google it.) That book called this whole television for babies thing " a vast, uncontrolled experiment." We won't really know the full effect for generations to come, but we're seeing it in part in the skyrocketing #'s of children diagnosed with ADHD. Todays parents, even today's grandparents have been raised on television. But we were not placed in front of the televsion as infants. That's a whole different ball game and risk factor.

As a culture, we lack imagination, we have "forgotten" how to play with babies, and we have bowed to the great god of technology. There is absolutely no research that supports benefits for children under two being exposed to television. Conversely, in studies, children who watched television (specific studies were done with "Baby Einstein" even) had significantly more limited vocabularies than children who watched no television. Please, please, parents...wake up to this issue! Turn off the television. Sing, read, play.

And don't feel like you need to turn the television on just so you can entertain your baby long enough to get a shower. There is nothing wrong with letting your baby have floor time (if the environment is safe) for a limited amount of time or to be in his crib or carrier to look around and explore with his eyes and hands. It encourages creativity and even self-soothing.

If you feel at a loss on games to play with your little one, check out my "Growth Chart" series from this past summer on playing with infants.

Not trying to give a shameless plug for my classes, but if you meet me, you will know that I love children and parents and am PASSIONATE about this issue. Music and literacy are INEXTRICABLY linked. Imaginative thinking is key to our children's success.

Come play, build your repertoire, learn more. www.wejoysing.com

When my oldest was small we lived in a small apartment and the tv was always on-mostly for noise but he also watched PBS shows or Elmo's world videos. I feel he has always had trouble entertaining himself and having to wait sit and wait, like for an appointment, is torture unless he has something to keep his mind busy. Luckily he has grown to love to read-so he always brings one with him places. My youngest however has been very limited on his tv watching. None of watch tv very often anymore anyway, so it was rarely on when he was an infant. Now days he will average about 1.5 of TV a day while I work from home, but only age appropriate shows. He is way better about playing quietly on his own and sitting for appointments. Of course I know part of that is just that each child is unique in their own way, but I've often wondered if having the TV on all the time with its constant noise and stimulation didn't have some affect.

Wow, guys, this is such a great discussion. Kristina, I think you have a good point in wondering whether some of these differences among kids should be attributed to things like exposure to TV at an early age, or if it's just each child being unique. Thanks for all the great comments!

We personally don't allow our eleven year old to watch television. She see's random shows when at sleepovers but for the most part only gets to see educational videos on dvd so that she's not exposed to commercials or inappropriate things. Not only is her ability to lear and understand so much fuller and intense but she asks for art supplies and books and learning items for her birthdays and Christmas. It's refreshing! We have never felt the need to use television as a babysitter...ever. Being zoned out in front of the tube isn't something that's good for adults or children!

I think these are all good points and comments. I do think there is a difference between zoning out in front of the TV and letting a child watch an educational, age-appropriate show for a specified allotted time.

I personally liked the baby einstein musical videos. Often it would be soothing and if I played it, it was for 20-30 minutes with the swing facing sideways and not directly in front of her. I spent 24/7 with her for the first year of like, taking walks, playing learning and looking at the wonder of the world through her eyes. I don't think 20 minutes with musical baby einstein has effected or will effect her development.

It's moderation. Sitting an infant or toddler in front of the TV for hours is not healthy. But that isn't healthy for a young child either.

Kristina, I liked your input and reflection. But, then I wonder what if you had the music playing all day? What if you had on a musical video? Your question is interesting though.

What if you wanted to watch a positive show while you were feeding your baby? Is this unhealthy? I love all the ideas, research and it makes me think.

I have read all the research that I can get my hands on about children and television. My son, who is almost seven, could watch TV, if allowed (which he is not), from sun up to sun down. Now, he has ADHD. I have seen research that says that kids with ADHD like the television because it moves fast and works with their brains; I have also read that ADHD can be exacerbated by too much television. I also have a thirteen month old daughter. When the TV is on for her brother she will watch it. I do not think any harm can come from a short time with the television as long as the shows are chosen carefully and even if it is not the best for them I will leave it on for shorts periods of time anyway because sitting and reading and playing with the kids is wonderful when there is time; here is the reality. I am now a single mom with a full time job, a house I like to clean every once in a while, a column I love to write so that I have something for myself and occasionally I like to put a good meal on the table for the kids. Now I don't know about the rest of you but it is difficult if not impossible to get ready for work with a baby on your hip so I let her watch Special Agent Oso with her brother in the morning. Granted that bear gives me the heebie jeebies but they love it and I get a chance to ready us for the day. I think that television, like many of our adult vices, is fine in moderation.