Yesterday I posted about our reading list for kindergarten and talked a little bit about reading to kids in general. It was so appropriate because last night before bedtime we read a couple chapters of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (And we're almost done with it - only two chapters left!)
Why?
Because one of the particular chapters we read was about Mike Teavee getting transported into the television screen. If you remember, Mike Teavee was the boy who watched TV all. day. long.
In the book, each time one of the children get sent away (because of their horrendous behavior) the oompa-loompas sing a song about him or her. And the song they sang about Mike Teavee - I just loved it!
I wish I could type out the whole song, but I'm afraid of any copyright police lurking around the web. So, instead, here are a few exerpts (it's a pretty long song):
The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER, let
Them near your television set -
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
...
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink -
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSES IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK - HE ONLY SEES!
Then the song, from the perspective of the parent, asks what to do with the kids if the television is taken away?
We'll answer this by asking you,
'What used the darling ones to do?
'How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?'
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY...USED...TO...READ!
...
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
...
 |
| Okay, maybe I should finally take the 50 cent sticker off of Make Way for Ducklings. |
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
...
 |
| Some of these books will not be read by the girls until they're much older - The Lord of the Rings and Shakespeare, for example. But, most of these will be read in the first few years of homeschooling. There are many, many more that I need to collect, however :) |
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something good to read,
and once they start - oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
...
 |
Okay, that's probably enough :)
I have no doubt that nowadays this would also refer to an Ipad or an Xbox or whatever gadget is popular, as well as TV.
Now don't get me wrong, we own a TV (actually three) and our kids do watch it. (We do not, however, have an Ipad or any kind of gaming system or any other new gadget.) But, we severely limit the amount of time they watch and what they watch. I'd say the girls watch a 30 minute show (like Curious George) maybe once or twice per week. And on the weekends we sometimes let them watch a movie.
It's just like candy I guess - small amounts here and there won't do much damage (hopefully), as long as the good stuff is being fed at every meal, everyday.
Although I really wouldn't mind getting rid of our TV. Just have to convince my husband...
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