My Toddler Ignores Me When Watching TV. What Do I Do?

You might have heard of people who use television as a babysitter. And that concept is more relevant in today’s digital world. An estimated 121 million households in the US have televisions in their home. So it’s no surprise that one of the main consumers of TV content will be young children.

 

There’s nothing wrong with introducing television shows to your toddler. In fact, children’s channels have family-friendly programs that are safe and enjoyable for your kid. And if TV can keep your toddler quiet for an hour or two, why not take the chance?

 

But what if your toddler is a little too invested in the little screen? Maybe it’s already dinner time, or you wanted them to pick their toys up. But no matter what you do, your toddler won’t seem to budge.

 

So what do you do? Obviously, you can’t leave your toddler watching TV all day and night. Not only is that irresponsible, but it can also be detrimental to their health.

 

There are ways to get your toddler on their feet and away from the TV. And the good news is that it doesn’t need to end in a screaming match.

 

My Toddler Ignores Me When Watching TV. Why?

Before you scold your toddler, let’s first consider if they have any underlying conditions. Conditions like autism can affect your child’s ability to focus and concentrate. So they might end up being too focused on watching TV and can’t divert their attention to you or anything else. Other conditions like ADHD and development problems might also have the same results.

 

But what if your child is neurotypical? Then maybe it’s not them. Maybe it’s the television.

 

Researchers have found that television can be very addictive and can cause dependency issues. TV addiction is not an officially recognized disorder. But there is still plenty of evidence that shows that TV can do negative things to the brain.

 

And who can blame your toddler? TV has a hypnotic effect on its viewer. With neverending content, colorful visuals, and catchy tunes, it’s hard not to sit down for an hour or two.

 

So what can you do when your tot is too engrossed with the TV? Here are 5 tactics that you can do to stir them away from their binge-watching.

 

5 Ways To Get Your Child’s Attention Away from the TV

Get Rid of the Distraction

The first step to get your child’s attention is to eliminate the distraction (in which case, the TV). Turning the device off is one thing. But you can make it more effective by using eye contact and calling their name out.

 

Your toddler might throw a tantrum when you turn their show off. But stay firm with your decision. Once they calm down and have their focus on you, that’s the time you can tell them what you want to say.

 

Give Them Clear and Simple Instructions

Giving them vague and arduous tasks will make your toddler cranky and unwilling. They might think, “Why should I clean my room or take a bath? I want to watch TV all day!”

 

Rewording your requests into something more simple and understandable will make them more obedient. Do things step-by-step, like picking toys first before moving on to folding the bed. Don’t forget to use a calm, not dominating, voice.

 

It’s also a good idea to make requests more fun and exciting. Say things like, “Let’s eat dinner together. I made your favorite.” or “Please have a bath. Your rubber ducky is waiting for you.” Anything that sounds enjoyable can reel your child away from one activity to another.

 

Use the When-Then Warning

Warnings are effective, but only if they make sense. The when-then warning is something that you can use with your toddler. It’s like bribing them to do something that you want and rewarding them.

 

When-then warning sounds something like, “If you eat all your food, you can have 1 extra hour of TV tonight.” It’s effective at reducing conflict because both you and your kid win in the situation.

 

Motivate your Toddler with Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding your toddler’s good behavior is more effective than punishing bad behavior in the long run. Using motivating methods like praising them can make them more attentive to you the next time. Positive reinforcement also builds trust between you and your toddler.

 

It’s easy to scold your child when you notice them watching a little too much TV. But criticism will only make them feel more shameful and resentful. Instead, praise them when they stop watching TV and start doing what you ask them to do.

 

Create Rules Watching-Time Rules (And Impose Them)

Too much TV for young children can affect their attention span and health. So before it turns into a habit, you should limit your child’s watching time soon.

 

Boundaries are important if you want to raise a well-manners and responsible child. Placing a boundary on when your toddler can watch TV can help discipline them. It also helps them understand time management and put priority on what needs to be done.

 

Watching TV is a fun recreational activity that your toddler can enjoy. But there should be a time for other activities like chores. So if you think that they are watching too much, remind them that there is more to life than just their cartoon shows.

 

 

Televisions are everywhere in the world, and chances are, you have one in your home. The TV is an effective way to stimulate your toddler and to provide entertainment. But TV can also be addictive and can make your toddler less responsive to you.

 

But you can get your child’s attention with some careful parenting methods. Removing distractions, using positive reinforcement, and limiting TV time are some things you can do to get your child to notice you. Being kind but determined can help you guide your child, even if they become unruly.

 

It is sometimes hard to get your toddler’s attention, but it’s not impossible. With determination, you can pull your child away from the small screen.