I agree that parental attitudes are a hugely important part of a child's learning.

I don't agree that TV per se is a big problem - its whats on the tv that is a problem. Recently, I was at a talk by Oliver Postgate - creator of Bagpuss, The Clangers etc, and he had a few sharp words to say about the Teletubbies. he said you shouldn't give children only what they expect and already enjoy - because then there is no room for wonder and imagination. The old kids tv programmes made kids use their imagination - they weren't just something to be plonked in front of to keep the kid quiet. They stopped showing Bagpuss on TV when the BBC heard of research that said to hold a kids attention, there had to be some sort of action every 3 seconds. If everything is fast and something is always happening, there is no room for imagination.

Oliver Postgate also said the Teletubbies really scared him, because it was obvious to him that outside of the big green hill was a post nuclear wasteland. They lived underground and had to wear funny suits when they came above ground because of the radiation levels. And the sun baby was Big Brother watching them.....

I'll never be able to watch Teletubbies in the same way again...

Bagpuss