Like any other three or four year old, my triplets, especially my boys adore their superheroes. They watch animation and movie DVDs. Spider-man is their favorite, followed by Chota Bheem, and a few Malayalam superheroes like Dingan, Mayavi etc. Krishna is part God and part superhero. My instinct tells me that Kutty does not have too much interest in superheroes, but growing up with the boys is influencing her and she too actively watches the animations. They also love Lion King, Jungle Book, Life of Pi, Tom&Jerry etc. So do I worry about letting them watch these? Absolutely not. And that is because they do not watch it all the time. What they watch, we make sure, is benefiting them. How? Let me explain in this post on how to make watching TV beneficial to young children.
Animation, superheroes, stories and my triplets
- I have not introduced TV programs to them. Sure, there are many channels which offer a lot of information to them, History, Animal Planet, National Geographic, Discovery etc., and many channels like KochuTV(Regional channel) and Cartoon Network that show programs ideal for young children. However DVD has an advantage. I get to choose what they see, and when they see it. Since the DVDs are there with us forever, they are assured that they can watch them anytime, and not when it is broadcast. They usually watch only during meal times. At the most they watch the screen for one and a half hours a day. At the most.
- The repeated shows of the same DVD ensures that they enjoy the scenes they like, but eventually they get bored after a while, and thus move on to other activities. I don't think it is a good idea to let them know that there are endless, variety shows which they can keep watching without getting bored and switching channels. No, not yet. On day they will get to know, but I will handle the situation then.
- I read to them, I tell them stories. They love the stories, and they love listening to my voice (when I am not yelling at them). Naturally, I am their mother- kids love their mom's voice. So, any day, they prefer my stories to whatever goes on on the screen. I ensure that my stories have superheroes wherever possible, many animals, their roaring or growling sounds, demons and Gods who fight and beat the demons, magic, food, colors, different countries and complicated names. It is infinitely interesting to watch their eyes light up, grow big, become dreamy as they imagine the scenes, and make up their own stories in their minds. The moment I finish telling the story of 'Black Beauty', one of them starts repeating it aloud while walking here and there, only difference is that Black Beauty becomes a calf, and te story alters to suit the calf- it does not run like the horse, but it will play and have its own adventures. So the moment I want them to stop watching a DVD, I offer to tell or read a story, and there, they are cuddling with me!
- We speak Malayalam at home all the time. English movies and animations introduce them to the language, and make them get over any inhibitions they might have in the future while using the language. Also they see some Hindi DVDs, and they are familiar with the concept of many languages. Animations like Chota Bheem, Krishna and Balram etc. are very good for them to understand English. Also I am sure once they start using pencil and colors effectively, they will stat painting scenes from the stories they see.
- They know that watching too much TV makes them couch potatoes and damages their eyes. The moment they stop watching the movie, they start playing- and such fun to watch the role-play. That, I must say, is one good part of having a threesome.
- They know that Peter Parker got his superhero powers when super-spider bit him. But not only that. I tell them that he got the power because he is good in his heart, he behaves nicely, he helps his family and others, does not fight with others unnecessarily, uses his power to help others."With great power comes great responsibility". I show them how Peter empties his waste basket every night. How his uncle met with the tragic accident when Peter forgot his duties for a while. How a bad person given with power uses it to bad causes, and in turn ends up dead. Of course bad people when dead go straight to hell where Satan puts them in boiling water (they have seen this in Tom&Jerry and Krishna-Balram). So a person with a good heart and responsible behavior only gets super powers. Whenever one of them does something good, like keeping back toys in shelf after playing, or emptying their waste basket, I add a super-power point. When they make a tantrum, they lose a point. I tell them God adds up the points at the end of every week and bit by bit gives super powers, depending upon the number of points earned. Finally when there are thousands of points, you get to become powerful like Spider-man. But by then you are so good in helping others, that you will now to use the power responsibly. They believe that. But more importantly, I believe that, too. I believe in that so strongly that I come across very convincing. It does not change things overnight. They still have their fights, their tantrums, but there is a difference. The frequency is much less. Also they compete to help others and each other with little things, which I find very encouraging.
