#asktheexpert : m showing Cocomelon cartoon to my 19months old baby thinking it will help him learn and understand. but recently I saw Cocomelon is bad. Please help me understand this.

Question

Accepted Answer

"Cocomelon" is a popular children's animated series featuring nursery rhymes, songs, and colorful characters. Whether "Cocomelon" is "bad" for babies depends on various factors such as the age of the baby, the amount of screen time, and parental involvement.

Here are some considerations:

1. **Age-Appropriateness:** For babies under 18 months old, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time except for video chatting. As babies get older, limited and supervised screen time may be appropriate, but it's essential to choose high-quality, educational content.

2. **Content:** "Cocomelon" primarily features nursery rhymes and songs that can be engaging and entertaining for young children. However, it's important to ensure that screen time is balanced with other activities that promote physical activity, social interaction, and cognitive development.

3. **Parental Involvement:** Watching "Cocomelon" with your baby and actively engaging in the content can enhance the viewing experience and provide opportunities for interaction and learning. Use the show as a springboard for conversations, singing along, or imitating actions from the episodes.

4. **Screen Time Limits:** Set appropriate limits on screen time and ensure that "Cocomelon" or any other screen-based activities do not replace essential activities such as sleep, outdoor play, reading, and social interactions.

5. **Quality of Content:** While "Cocomelon" is generally considered to be age-appropriate and educational, not all children's programming is created equal. Be mindful of the content your child is exposed to and choose shows that align with your family's values and promote positive behaviors and attitudes.

Ultimately, whether "Cocomelon" is "bad" for babies depends on how it's incorporated into your child's daily routine and the overall balance of activities and interactions. As with any form of media consumption, moderation, parental involvement, and thoughtful selection of content are key.