Watching over very young nieces and nephews when their parents can’t can be truly daunting and exhausting sometimes.  However, that urge to put kiddie TV on for them while you try to get something else done may not be the best thing for them, especially if they are younger than two years old, according to studies by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Studies show that “educational” programs for infants and toddlers are only educational if children can understand the messages they are trying to convey, which children under two years of age often can’t do. So instead of setting your nieces and nephews in front of the television for any amount of time, the AAP suggests giving them toys to play with and let them indulge in “free play.” Free play helps children under two years old to develop creative thinking skills, problem solving skills, and reasoning and motor skills.

This suggestion from the AAP is accompanied by many more, all of which would be fairly easy for Aunties to adhere to when watching over their nieces and nephews:

- Set media limits for children before age 2, bearing in mind that the AAP discourages media use for this age group. Have a strategy for managing electronic media if they choose to engage their children with it;

- Instead of screens, opt for supervised independent play for infants and young children during times that a parent [or Auntie] cannot sit down and actively engage in play with the child. For example, have the child play with nesting cups on the floor nearby while a parent [or Auntie] prepares dinner;

- Recognize that your own media use can have a negative effect on children.

The best thing you can do for your nieces and nephews is to play with them. The AAP says that children learn best from interaction with other humans, not television screens. With the stress-filled lives that many Aunties lead, it is very possible that Aunties will have just as much fun with play-time as their nieces and nephews will!


Published: October 19, 2011