Is it possible for your brain to turn to mush from watching too much television? It’s gotta be a bad idea to let your kiddo watch cartoons from breakfast to dinner time, right? But if they’re going to watch television, they ought to be watching educational television shows. Our kids can learn a little while watching tv. Not all youth programming is horrible. There are actually some wonderful educational television shows out there, and I listed five of my favorites below.
But first… Let’s talk about screen time.
Setting Limits
Even if your limits look a lot different during this pandemic than they do the rest of the year, limits are necessary. The best way to enforce limits is to use parental controls on any personal devices, and keep the television off unless watching it. Break that habit of having it in the background. Designate a time when the television is permitted to be turned on- for us it’s 4pm. Then set an alarm, we use our Amazon Echo to alert us.
When Sassy is using her Kindle Fire (check it out, here) we can set her time frame, limits for the entire time, and designate time per category as well- like books, games, or videos.
Pro Tip: Replace morning television with a Quiet Box. Chose 3-5 books, 2 coloring or activity books, some crayons or markers, and possibly some flash cards or single user brain games. The trick is to rotate these items each week. I have an entire Quiet Box stash of goodies that she only gets when they’re in her morning box.
Are you struggling with phone addiction? Me too. Check out my post on overcoming it, here.
Benefits of Screen Time
As much as we don’t want to admit it, our children are going to rely on technology for school and career, for the rest of their lives. I love being a millennial, because we have the benefits of technology but had a carefree childhood without it. Our children will never have that, and we shouldn’t try to make them. Although we obviously don’t want to use a screen as a babysitter, nor should we introduce a screen until they are at least two years old, we need to take an active role in preparing the kiddos for life that relies on technology. If we don’t prepare them, we’re holding them back.
So if we are going to plop our kiddo in front of the television, especially if they’re watching more than they normally would, make sure that the content is a balance of educational and entertaining.
Five Favorite TV Shows for Toddlers and Young Kids
- Team Umizoomi. We absolutely love Team Umizoomi because it teaches pre-math skills that come in handy down the line. There are lots of patterns, comparisons, and measuring units.
- Blaze and the Monster Machines. Don’t be mistaken by the name, there’s no crushing in this show. Well, except for the bully truck named Crusher. Blaze and the Monster Machines follows a group of friends, who are monster trucks, as they solve problems. There are lots of measuring units, and engineering terminology.
- Little Einstein’s. Don’t confuse this with the Baby Einsteins. Little Einsteins is age appropriate for toddlers and young children who are interested in music. The characters go on adventures, while learning about instruments and music theory, to the soundtrack of classical music.
- Wild Kratts. Do you remember Zaboomafoo, with Chris and Martin Kratt? The Wild Kratts is the modern spin of that show we watched as kids. Each episode starts with Chris and Martin showing an animal, then switches to a cartoon. There, the characters use a special suit to essentially “become” an animal. Kiddos learn so much about the amazing creatures.
- The Magic School Bus. This show doesn’t even need an explanation, we all know its awesome. If your kiddo is a little older, consider the Magic School Bus for practically every science lesson out there.
There are so many additional, amazing shows out there for kiddos. We also like Dinosaur Train, Daniel Tiger, and Super Why. Of course we watch all the classic Disney movies, and love some of the new ones too like Inside Out, Coco, and Moana. Any show or movie can become a learning opportunity, or family bonding time. And even the best, most educational television shows for toddlers and kids can have adverse effects if not watched in moderation. But at the end of the day, you’re not going to break you kid if they watch tv. So when they do it, choose a good show.
Tell me, what’s your favorite educational television show for kiddos?
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