We Can Do Better Than TV

[Sarah Pleuthner]

At a recent social gathering a group of us asked a friend how her sister, a first time mom, was managing her twin toddlers—two bright-eyed and beautiful 12 month old girls whose photos regularly lit up our Facebook feeds. “She’s doing fabulous,” our friend told us excitedly, “and the girls are just thriving!” We were happy to hear this and leaned in to hear more, after all there is a sort of curiosity as to how mothers who have been doubly blessed deal with their two, where most of us have dealt with one.

Our friend happily continued, “you know, with two she has to keep them on a pretty tight schedule, and so they have a set routine, especially before bedtime. The girls have their dinner at five, followed by bath time at six, and then they get their sensory stimulation in for about 45 minutes or so before getting worn out and going down for the night.”

We had to admit this sounded like a good routine. “That’s great, what type of stimulation gets them that worn out?” one of our group asked. “Oh, you know,” our girlfriend explained, “those DVDs they have that are especially geared toward babies. All those sights, bright colors, sounds, and songs they play gets the girls all excited, and by the time it’s over they are ready for bedtime.”     

While, the set routine part of the evening sounded like a good system, I felt dismayed at hearing that something playing on a screen had become an integral part of these babies’ day.

I have to admit, like other parents, I have been guilty of using the TV as a source of entertainment for my kids, but with perhaps one difference: I was always adamant that my kids not watch television until they were at least two and a half years of age. This does not include the occasional news or football game they may have seen or heard in the background. My intention was that they not be intentionally exposed to TV while they were still at such a young and tender age. In fact, leading child experts warn that viewing television before the age of two can do more harm than good.

So in our day-to-day routines, which can sometimes seem endless, what are some good ways to keep young children, occupied? The following are a few ways I found to work well:

 

1. What is it about building blocks for kids that keep children so engaged? Of course the youngest toddlers will need your help with this type of play, but it really is educational play at its best. Interlocking building blocks teach skills like spatial relations, proportions, sizes, shapes, and of course perseverance, which is learning how to focus on the task at hand, even if it is snapping two blocks together. All of these are invaluable introductory lessons to even the smallest of learners.
   
   
2. With everything child proofed and locked up, how is a toddler supposed to get his groove on? Well, here’s a strategy that worked well for me, and probably will for you too. While we did child proof most of the drawers and cupboards throughout our home, there is one set of cupboards in the kitchen that I kept unlocked. Within these cupboards resided some stainless steel pots and pans along with wooden spoons. Heavy metal, anyone? Yes, you might end up being an audience to some pretty loud “music,” but this is a tactic that is very pleasing to toddlers. To keep the interest high, you can mix things up by hiding different kinds of objects or toys in the cupboard (or inside of the pots) for your baby to “discover.”
   
   
3. Oftentimes it seems kids love the wrapping, bags, and boxes that the toys are packaged in more than the toys themselves! With this in mind, find a nice big cardboard box. Your toddler will love to crawl in and out of the box. Cut some windows out for additional peek-a-boo fun. And don’t forget, like all “homes,” this one must be decorated too, so let your little one have at it with crayons or markers and they can get to work designing some one-of-a-kind murals.
   
   
4. Puzzles—I’m surprised more parents don’t buy puzzles for their toddlers. The wooden puzzles with one or more pieces that depict a single picture per piece and have a wooden peg large enough for little fingers to grasp onto are perfect for ages 1+. I came upon puzzles by chance when browsing a toy store, and purchased one for my then 16 month old. I was surprised at how intently he would study the pieces and try and figure out what direction the piece should face as he tried fitting it into the corresponding space. I was so impressed watching him work through the process, that with my second child, I bought an even simpler wooden puzzle and introduced it to him at 12 months of age. He took to it just as intently as his older brother had. Working on puzzles invokes reasoning skills, problem solving, and helps to fine tune the pinch and grasp reflex. And let’s not forget self-esteem; it’s gotta do something for their self-confidence when that puzzle piece finally clicks into place.

 

So there you have it, a few ways to keep your ball of energy preoccupied without suffering any of the guilt that a nonproductive activity, like watching television, can bring upon you. Some pots and pans, a cardboard box and a few educational toys, and BAM—happy toddler, happy (albeit slightly tired) parent.

Wishing you well on all your parenting endeavors!