In my house, television time is a necessary evil. I work from home helping to run my family’s candy business and my boys are home with me most of the time. I know how fortunate I am to be able to work and raise my kids at the same time, but it all adds up to a constant struggle for me to focus.
Allowing one or both of my children to watch tv means time for me to concentrate and power through everything I need to do. A lot of you are well versed in this topic, but for my many girlfriends who have just brought little ones into the world, here are the three tv shows I don’t feel guilty letting my children watch.
Team Umizoomi – This Nick Jr. show is an interactive show that focuses on math and teaches counting, patterns, number recognition, puzzles and shapes. The characters pose questions to the viewers encouraging them to learn actively. I truly love watching my 3 year old point and talk to the tv as he’s answering questions and solving problems. The only negative is that, because it airs on a Nickelodeon station, it has commercials hustling junk I don’t want my kids to see. But the show is so educational, it’s almost worth it.
Daniel Tiger – This animated PBS Kids’ show, a spin-off of the original Mr. Rogers, focuses on young Daniel, his parents, sister and his neighborhood full of friends. As Daniel navigates life at home with his family and at preschool, he has to work through issues all kiddos face, like friendship, potty training, siblings, cleaning up toys, disappointment, going to the doctor, a variety of situations that teach practical skills and emotional development. Each episode features a “strategy song” that sums up its theme into a happy, one line tune that will stick with your toddler. Our current favorite: “when you’re sick, rest is best.”
Super Why! – Another gift from PBS Kids, Super Why! focuses on young Whyatt and his friends, the Super Readers, in the land of Storybook Village. The team of preschoolers brings classic stories to life and relies heavily on their literacy skills as they work to solve problems and answer riddles. This show teaches the alphabet, spelling, reading and rhyming and is another interactive program that encourages children to learn actively as they watch.
What programs do you rely on to save your sanity while hopefully teaching your kids some worthwhile life lessons?
