Let’s Talk About: Toddlers, Television + KIDDO TV

As much as we would like to limit our children’s screen time to a minimum, we have to admit as parents that modern technology is helpful to us in moderation. I have found that utilizing programming on an airplane or long car ride has served beneficial as well as during the times I am nursing my baby or working from home and need a short term solution or distraction. Finding the best programming for our children is the key to tablet success.

 

When I only had my daughter it was easier to shield her from iPads, televisions, and phones until she was at least one year old. But now with my son, it is more difficult, especially since my daughter watches these devices on occasion. We also have recently implemented family movie night and even though most of the time my little guy is in bed, we often watch a matinee movie on a weekend afternoon and it’s amazing to me how much he is already so fascinated with the television screen. And I believe that it helped him crawl faster when his goal was to go toward my computer when it was on the floor while I was doing work in his room while he played. In this modern world we live in it is virtually impossible to avoid all technological vices, but what we can do is limit the amount of time that is spent in front of a screen and monitor closely what our children are watching.

 

Finding the best programming for our children can be challenging. It can take a long time to find something age appropriate and also educational. Fortunately I recently I became aware of KIDDO TV. And although we personally avoid watching it on YouTube, we watch directly from their website http://kiddo.tv . KIDDO TV is an Edutainment Channel designed to teach children essentials in language, communication, and skills in counting, reading, comprehension, colors, letters, music, art, and more!

 

My personal favorite program is called the Fitzy Monster Show http://kiddo.tv/fitzy-monster-show/. My daughter and I watch it together so we can also discuss the content during and after each episode. The show is based on monsters helping children learn how to do various tasks like brushing their teeth, learning table manners, washing their hands, learning daily exercises, picking up toys, making the bed, taking care of pets, playground rules, being polite, and dozens of more topics! As a mom and an educator, these topics are so useful in learning basic tasks and rules in a fun, entertaining, and educational way other than from mom and dad. Children learn lessons from various environments and need to hear lessons multiple times before they sink in, especially at a young age.

 

Another show I love is Art Lessons! I love challenging my toddler to use the creative right side of her brain. She loves arts and crafts and this show combines that and more! The hostess, Miss Miki, teaches children how to do art in a fun, educational way. She is so positive and motivating that I even get excited and confident about my novice artwork! The art projects are simple for most ages and with items you typically already have around the house. Watching the show and doing the artwork at home makes this show comes to life! The episode tells you exactly what you need at the beginning of the program so you can prepare, pause, and paint! My favorite episodes are the Crayon and Watercolor, Veggies and Leaves, Bubble Wrap, Sponge Painting, and Season Tree.

 

Other programming includes Easy Magic, Nursery Rhymes, Animal Puzzle, Bedtime Stories, and STROOSH. They also have an area on their website where you can print out a one page coloring sheet to make everything come to life and more interactive. It takes the screen time into active participation time. You can find the print and color section here http://kiddo.tv/print-and-color/

 

You can find KIDDO TV on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/KiddoTVofficial and on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/kiddotv/ and you can subscribe to their channel on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/kiddotv