Year Four, Day 111: LHOP

I had a wonderful morning with my granddaughter. I am trying an experiment. Zero television. She is highly intelligent - already know the first 5 letters of the alphabet, and many colors, body parts, sign language and plays the piano with me (with curved fingers!) I know, I am slightly prejudiced, being her Zma and all. But she is brilliant!

She also gets zoned out when watching t.v. We started watching Little House on the Prairie when she was just a baby - after Baby Einstein. I wanted to watch wholesome television in her honor. So I actually checked out the pilot episode from the library when she was just a wee one. But she was interested right away! She began pointing and the screen and shrieking "dog" every time she saw Laura Ingalls' dog, Jack. Now she identifies Ma, Pa, Laura, Jack and the horses (who she calls "Nay!".

I think our little family became a bit weary of Little House on the Prairie or "LHOP" as we fondly nicknamed it. Personally, I can recite the whole pilot episode by heart - and I usually have poor memory!

So, she started watching kids shows on NetFlix. We are still careful about what she watches. But she gets really agitated after too much television. Granted, it makes the lives of her Mama, Dada and Zma easier to let her watch tv with us, especially when we are tired (this child still doesn't sleep through the night!)

But I have noticed her acting frustrated and throwing a few tantrums. I just sense her brain and eyes are overstimulated from too much screen time (her pedicatritian did advise against television for babies up through toddler years).

So this morning we did many activities. We read, colored, named ABC's, played the piano, went for a nature walk (we had several squirrel sightings which tickled her to no end!), made homemade tortillas and played hide and seek and "Boo!"

And I must say she was calmer and happier.

I think I may try to discontinue my television before bed habit. I feel like it helps me wind down and sleep, but it does contribute to odd dreams. And if Grace had such a positive experience from ditching the t.v., who knows what it will do for her Zma?

I will try!

I have to run now.

Happy Friday!

Love,

Zita

P.S. Below is Day 28 of daily hooping, with a wee QiGong breathing demo at the beginning.

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