Good Starter Suggestions for Tv/dvds for 2 Yr Old

Consider reading the book "The Elephant in the Living room" (the author has a greek name) before you buy/rent anything. It takes the approach that TV/DVDs are a tool to use. The back of the book has lists of shows/dvds that are good for different areas of interest (social, math, etc).

The only way to keep her from getting "super hooked" is for you, as the parent, to set limits and stick with them (ie: be ready to hear the crying that comes when you cut off the crack).

Good luck.

Brainy Baby makes a good DVD teaching the sounds of each letter, and have one for numbers, shapes and colors, etc. brainybaby.com They are sold at top ten toys in Greenwood.

Something to try is on demand, if you have cable. You can go to kids and hunt around for stuff there. I like it as they are available anytime, no commercials and a lot of them are only 10-20 minutes long. (that's where I learned about brainy baby). We like the bounce program. They have a good one on teaching emotions. It's a music program.

Best wishes!

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Baby Einstein DVDs. I have used them when babysitting my nephew, and he was ENTHRALLED. After each scene, there is a part where the "audience" claps, and he was so excited to be clapping along and laughing. I've only seen Baby Shakespeare (the one I have), but I'm guessing they're all brilliant.

Why not skip tv altogether and just start your own movie library? I hate all the junk on so we don't even have regular tv. Most younger kid dvd's have a message or an educational twist to them - Little Einstein really rocks! Strawberry Shortcake is really girly and fun and encourages teamwork, acceptance, and friendship (my daughter simply adores these). the Hello Kitty movies are themed - we have a bedtime stories one with things like Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty and so on. Care Bears are great too with fabulous messages (but there is magic and such so beware on those). Sesame Street is always a winner and packed with education. You can always buy any of these on places like Amazon or Costco even sells big library sets discounted.

At this age kids get "hooked" on anything new which means, like candy, do it in moderation. We sometimes have special pj and movie days and sometimes have days where the tv never even gets turned on. Buying DVD's has the advantage of being limited. Most of them have 3 - 5 episodes so you can turn one on and then after off goes the tv. Or they have playall features where it will just play through the whole thing. Most of the themed shows (Strawberry Shortcake, Bob the Builder, Sesame Street) aren't more than 30 to 40 minutes in total length. Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

If you have comcast. try cable channel 118, it's called Sprout. All appropriate shows for her age group and they have educational games in between shows. Several shows are only 8-10 minutes long! My daughter's favorites were Pingu and Barney. A lot of kids' shows actually do teach many lessons on sharing, kindness, feelings, manners, etc...all the ones I've watched with my daughter are not just noneducational fluff! But it is more special to them when it's just done during nursing time or other specific times.

E. - My son is 3 and he loves the show PEEP. I think it's PBS, but maybe it's discovery kids. He also really liked Hi-5 (which is a lot of imagination, colors, shapes, and TONS of singing). Both my kids really liked the old standbys, Blue's Clues, Dora, Diego. There is also a new one Sid the Science Kid.
I am in the same boat of trying not to let my kids watch TV, but finding that if I want to take a shower with no one bothering me I gotta turn something on for 15 minutes. They are so happy that I turn the thing on that they stare open mouthed at it and don't move, lol.
Don't let anyone tell you that TV is bad or to try and do artwork or something, especially since you just had a newborn. It's hard to get into a new rythm ( I totally spelled that wrong) when you go from 1 to 2. It took me about 3 months to figure it out.
L.
Ps. When you turn on a show set a timer. Tell her that when the timer goes off so does the TV. Show her you setting it and for how long, and then maybe put it on top of the TV.

If you're interested in exposing her to other languages you could try popular children's programs from other countries on dvd. My 29 month old son has picked up a lot of spanish from the perennial mexican favorite "El Chapulin Colorado" (the one 'The Simpsons' make fun of). There is also "Topo Gigio" about a little mouse. You could check your local library for dvds to see if she likes them before you buy. At this age, exposure to foreign languages can help them to become fluent with less of an accent later on.

You could also try the acclaimed "Signing Time" series (Two Little Hands Productions) to teach both you and your daughter sign language, which you can then both use to communicate with the baby. Communicating in sign language with babies is proven to reduce frustration and tantrums, accelerate language development, and promote parent-child bonding. Just use basic everyday signs whenever saying that word around your baby and they will eventually pick it up way before they have the ability to talk. This early ability to communicate with you is what reduces a lot of toddler frustrations and makes it easier for you to parent! (Imagine your 8 month old telling you when they are hungry, thirsty, "all done", cold, needing new diaper, scared, or happy!) Our library carries the entire series.

E.,

Go with your local PBS station, should be channel 9 (KCTS) or 12 (KBTC). My son is 5 and that's about all I'll let him watch. He loves SuperWHY!, Dragon Tales, Clifford, and some others, but those are the ones that I can remember right now. My daughter is almost 2 and could care less. They are super educational, and where most commercials would be they have _______ time with Miss Lori, although it's a new girl now and I don't remember her name. They do math, reading, song/dance, and they've added Steve Songs from The Wiggles.

I like the shows because they are educational as well as entertaining, and they don't contain the violence that many other cartoons have. I'd also suggest the Sprout Channel or Sprout On Demand, it's the same idea as PBS.

Hope this helps,
Melissa

Sesame Street is still the best. We moved overseas and otped to not have cable television. We've been back for two years and we haven't missed it. (And most things can be watched on-line anyway)

So, we watched DVDs only and it gives you the freedom to turn it off. If she seems like she'll fight you on the amount of time, I would only show one episode at a time, so when it's over, it's over. A couple of other wonderful things my little ones love are Little Einsteins, Veggie Tales (which are Christian-themed adorable vegetables) and Disney Sing-along shows. (our favorite was "Pongo and Perdita" since they all love dogs) In fact, you could have ours if you want- my youngest is almost 6 years old, but they are video tapes...

Just watch stuff on your own one day and see what you want to watch over and over again. (And over and over and over...)

I live in the middle of nowhere - and don't have access to cable....so, I have good ol' regular 5 channels to pick from. OPB ROCKS!!!! Channel 28 or 7 - that is it here in Eugene. At first I didn't think I was going to really like Super Why - but my son seems to enjoy, but he really likes Sid the Science Kid - probably because of the bright colors and music. And of course there is Clifford the Big Red Dog and the classic Sesame Street. When we get up in the morning I get his breakfast ready and he watches and then plays during the time with OPB until it is time for me to go to work. Yeah - you can say it's a babysitter, but - it's educational entertainment. The shows contain great verbal enhancement,spelling, numbers, colors, and values of family and friendship. I also agree with what Melissa wrote too. Good luck with your tv show search.

Almost everyone mentions baby einstein- YUCK. hahah My husband and I thought they are way to weird- makes you feel like your on drugs or something.. My son never would watch them. Just bc someone made the video and everyone is watching it doesn't make it ok for babies.. The only series my son will watch is CURIOUS BUDDIES ( NICK JR) They are hard to find at stores and they only have 3 or 4 in the series but they are sooo cute.. They aren't overwhelming like other videos either. His first and favorite was ON THE FARM.. it has some puppets that visit real farms with real animals and kids.. it gives them time to see every scene,, If you read the reviews from the internet every mother can't get over how much they love them and learn from them.. My son learned the words Dog, Duck and ball.. the others are "Going to the park and "Going to the beach.. My son dances and laughs through the whole thing---
Hope you find some that your daughter loves-

If you live in Portland you can have my baby einstein DVDS;-))))

Having taken care of a lot of kids and sat through a lot of their family's dvds, I have only two I can suggest with confidence:

Hap Palmer's "Babysongs" series: these were filmed way back when, but show children, puppets and a bit of animation and feature songs that have content 2-3 YO's can relate to. Songs about toes, using the potty, and our favorite "Your Mommy Comes Back", which we still sing even years after watching this. It's very low-key and sweet and developmentally appropriate in introducing concepts to children.

Also I highly recommend the dvd set "Sesame Street Old School". The segments are longer, slower and more to the speed of a toddler. The language is respectful (none of the Elmo babytalk) to young learners and, like Babysongs, they are segmented so that you can stop the dvd whenever you need to without having to watch the "whole thing" or lose the continuity. I'm not a big fan of the newer Sesame Street, but we will be buying this one at some point or our little guy.

ONE MORE SUGGESTION: if you can make videos of your daughter and your family, so much the better. Kids LOVE to watch themselves, and you can always be rest assured that the content is going to be just fine! This is a big winner at our house.:)

I have to second (or 3rd or 4th) the leap frog DVD/Videos. Especially "The Letter Factory". Your kid will know all of her letters and the sounds the letters make very quickly. It's amazing.
As for TV/Videos, I reccommend going to the library and checking out their selection. Go now while your little one is little (there will be a time someday, when your older one loves the library and books and your younger one is busy pulling all of the books of the shelves (not so easy fun). Also figure out which videos are 15 minutes or less. We have on demand, so we know which ones are short. I agree with everyone else on the shows.
It is amazing, "the hook" of the TV. We cannot turn it off midshow without a mammoth tantrum. So stick with the short shows. My 5 yr old has yet to see a full length film. What they don't know about doesn't hurt them I say.
Enjoy your time- As much as we all hate it, TV can really help you get something done while keeping your kids still. S.

my girls are 5 months and 28 months and my oldest loves fisher price "little people" dvds. the episodes are about 5 minutes long and have little lessons on them. they come on a dvd with 5-10 episodes. she cant get enough of her little people. another dvd she loves is veggie tales - especially any of the singalongs. she tries to memorize them. :) i dont have a good way to not get her hooked, but we just limit how much and when we watch. on tv, the ones we like best are on pbs - she has really learned her alphabet and numbers with some of these - word world, super why, clifford, curious george, and of course sesame street. not that we watch them all every day..... those are just the ones we choose when we do it.

E.,
I agree with you in limiting TV and making a conscious choice about what to expose a 2 year old too. I have been slow letting out the lead on TV/Movies too. You've gotten a lot of good suggestions. PBS shows are great, believe it or not Teletubbies are just right for 2 year olds. A DVD my children loved at that age were the Baby Songs DVD's. There simple and about the world of a 2-4 year old.
Mary

I have read most of your responses and they all seem to be a good fit for what you are looking for. I have to say that we, unfortunately, have the tv on all the time. I have twin boys that are almost three and they know that there is a time for tv and a time to turn it off. Ok, so here is the weird thing. We tend to watch Game Show Network. You can find it on cable or direct tv. Alot of people to get that channel. But anyway, my sons are having trouble with talking, maybe its because of the tv, but maybe not. There speach therapist doesn't think so. Anyway, when my one son was not even 2 1/2 he was watching a commercial and he started saying some numbers that he saw. I was shocked because we had only been singing songs about abc's and 1,2,3s. I tested him with flashcards and he probably knew 75% of his letters and numbers. They attend school 2 days a week so I thought that it had been the school teaching this. After questioning the teachers they said that they have not started recognition of letters and numbers and they were a little suprised as well. So all I can say is that I have to attribute the watching of game show network to some of it because I don't think it was me or the school. Game show network has alot of game shows where they are speaking and spelling words. He also loves Merv Griffin Crosswords. I know this may sound crazy but its the truth. So I know not letting kids watch much tv might be a bad thing you can also let them watch things that are nothing but educational.

We watched a little bit of the Noggin channel. It happen to have Blues Clues. My boys were loving it. Good luck, I know this probably didn't help, but I just wanted to tell you a good experience of probably watching to much tv.

We don't do a lot of tv for our 3 year old...The few shows I let him watch are Barenstein Bears (it's on demand, which is great for anytime watching), the Letter Factory DVD (Leap Frog) - he learned all of the letters after just a few times of viewing, and once in a while Sesame Street. I have found two shows on PBS (Which means only on when they are scheduled) that I really like - Sid the Science Kid and Super Why. He has seen a few others, like Clifford, but rarely...the once I mentioned first are ones that he will watch over and over (not often, but he has seen the same episodes multiple times and doesn't mind).

Hi - lots of ideas and suggestions below from other moms. I agree that PBS and NickJr offer some of the best kids programming, as well as a few things on Disney. I just want to add a few of my thoughts and give you my "list" of TV shows to complement your other advice. My daughter also had no TV or videos until after she was 2. I never did Baby Einstein or any of that off the shelf stuff either, and still only have added a few classic movies (after she was about 3.5 yrs old...I'll mention those at the end).We basically read, read and read and showed her places, things, etc. by going out. So,by two we were all ready for a bit of TV! :)

Looking back, there were just a few shows I found good for my daughter at 2. Many of the ones mentioned below, like Backyardigans, Sid The Science Kid, while great shows are really for kids a bit older - over 3 in my opinion. You need simple, fun, focused, repetitive, shows that do not overstimulate. Also, short episodes are good. There is a good reason why kids love DORA at this age - it's simple, and fun, and it is educational. My daughter seemed most interested and positively stimulated by Dora, Caillou, Blue's Clues, Max & Ruby, Disney's SuperSleuths, Barney, Bob the Builder. Then as she grows a bit more or you can sense she's moving on Franklin, Little Bill, Dragon Tales,Clifford and Handy Manny, Miss Spider's Sunny Patch are nice shows with good values mostly about friendship, family and doing the right thing. Often kids grow out of Dora and right into Diego - I can't recall how old my daughter was, but perhaps about 3 when she was all about Diego!! Then as she's 3-3.5 you can also add shows like Super Why!, Word World, Lazy Town, Reading Rainbow, Backyardigans, Little Einsteins, Sesame Street (if you didn't add before - my daughter didn't watch it very much until after 3). Lot's of good kid programming these days. Make sure you watch the shows with her at first especially - doctors say interaction is key and that's why Dora and some of the other shows are so great - they get the kids interacting with the content. You can speak with her about the show, what's happening, how the characters are feeling, why, etc. You can also guage her real interest and modify your selections accordingly.

Last thing I would add is that I would recommend determining your rules around TV and keeping consistent with those so as to create positive TV watching behavior. For example, we started off watching 1 show after breakfast in the mornings, and one show in the late afternoon after her nap. Since we were consistent, she didn't whine about turning off the TV and she didn't bug us to turn it on during other times of the day. Then as she hit 3, we changed that to two shows in the am only after breakfast (and after brushing teeth!). Now at 4 she gets to watch 2 or 3 episodes in the morning. And on days she doesn't watch am TV (such as preschool days) she may watch a couple shows in the afternoon, after her naptime. She does not watch TV after dinner or before bed except special occasions (like at Christmas we all watched the Grinch Who Stole Christmas together). As the experts say, we found late evening TV winds her up. We stick to playing a game together as a family after dinner (such as Candyland, Go Fish or something) and then bath and books.

As for movies, we didn't do any feature movies until she was a bit over 3 years old. Some of the movies we find she very much enjoys (and which we are OK with her watching now) are: Charlotte's Web, The Land Before Time (and related short movies), 101 Dalmations, Jungle Book, Aristocats, Pinnochio, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Now that she's almost 4, she really likes Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (but it's long!!), Nemo, Monsters Inc. Also she enjoys the Disney Princess Enchanted Tales short-movies that send nice messages about perseverance, courage, etc. She's not a realy "princess" girl in general, but likes those stories.

Hope that was a helpful addition to all of the great advice you received. :)

ON A RELATED NOTE: If you are interested in reading a good book about how children learn, there is an excellent one written by two mom PhDs on this topic called EINSTEIN NEVER USED FLASHCARDS. Super read and very interesting.

Hi--
You got a lot of responses, but I thought I would add my two cents as far as channels...we do have cable so we have the full gamut of Nick jr, disney, noggin, OPB, and they all have some decent shows, but I can't stand the commercials they have on Nick jr. and even on Sprout (which is a PBS-based channel, i think)...Noggin is commercial free, and so is OPB as you probably know. But yes, the library is a great resource for some of those shows like Dora, Curious George, Blues Clues and with videos you dont have to worry about the commercials! One other show that I love and my daughter was into for a while is Jacks Big Music Show--it is on Noggin and is super cute and witty and colorful and each episode is about a different style of music, genre, instruments, etc. There are 2 music videos in each episode featuring kid music stars like Laurie Berkner that have kids dancing around and having fun, so my daughter loves to get up and dance with them! The videos, by the way, are also online without the show at noggin.com...good songs and you can stream them so they play one after another, and they are about a minute and a half each. That will keep your toddler entertained and wear her out a bit dancing around!

I suggest anything from the "Singing Time" series. There are baby ones, which are good to start with, then ones for toddlers and older. They also show Signing Time episodes on OPB Sunday mornings, so you can record them, and OPB doesn't have commercials. I think their website is www.signingtime.com. My 3 1/2 yr-old son has learned so much from them and loves them still. They teach sign language through music.

My other suggestion is Baby Einstein, although at 2 you're just at the end of when I think these videos are most interesting. My son watched them until about 2-ish. They're educational and very fascinating for little ones.

As far as introducing them, you could introduce them as a "special treat", i.e. for being a good helper. Also, watch them with your child and show your interest and that makes TV watching a more active experience. I often put on videos while I'm breastfeeding my newborn so that my son won't run off unsupervised. While I sit and feed the baby, I can talk to my son about the video and ask questions, make comments, etc. That way his eyes don't glaze over quite as much.

OPB!!! I never feel guilty when my daughter watches OPB because most of the kids programs are educational and she won't get any violent programs. When she watched the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, she was so sad, she came to me after 5 minutes and said it was over, turns out it was a commmercial, and she didn't know what a commercial was! Also, the library has a great selection of DVD's in the childrens' section...A.

There are so many great suggestions already! I would add to the OPB suggestion, Baby Einstein videos. They're great, and the kids love them. My 4 1/2 year old says that his favorite movie is Baby Mozart. My husband and I look at him a little funny, but whatever. Anyway, the Salem library has the videos and you can rent them for $1, so I imagine that a library around you might do the same. You can also look on Amazon or ebay for cheap Baby Einstein DVD's. Good luck!

PBS is the best. My oldest (almost 2) loves Sid the Science Kid. Also Word World. We used to watch Yo Gabba Gabba (I think on Nogin)when we had cable which we don't anymore. She absolutely loved it, a little offbeat, but had good lessons as well as the bright colors, songs, and dancey dance time!

I also did not want my daughter to get too hooked on tv. She still really has not, and has watched a handful of dvds. One that we really love is "Baby Faith", its christian oriented. Not overly so, just some bible stories and a few "God Loves you". But they are a great visual for them. My daughter loves loves loves this. Also a good one is "Elmo's potty", great for teaching potty training and other bathroom hygeine.

I also just had a baby and know how its crazy! Good luck recovering and enjoying it all!

Another vote for PBS kids!!! Also, "The Letter Factory" dvd (by Leap Frog and usually available at Costco) is terrific. My daughter loves all the Scholastic dvds of classic kids' stories. That set is also available at Costco. I would agree with others that just not having channels available that can be inappropriate/have annoying commercials for toys, etc., is the best way to go. My daughter, who is now 3 1/2, won't even watch Cartoon Network at someone's house because "they are mean cartoons!" Good luck!

Hi E.
as a mother and grandmother pbs tv stations have shows like sesame street, word world and other shows these are without commercials and are educational. you can also get elmo and sesame street on dvd. pbs shows are often 30 minutes each. since you have a girl there are the classics of cinderella, snow white, peter pan, beauty and the beast, little mermaid some of these have gone bqack into the disney vaults and some are getting ready to go there they are movies and they are longer than 30 minutes. with any show you can turn it educational by asking your child questions about the show and what she/he might think is going to happen next. a recommended amout of viewing time is 60 minutes or less daily
Paula
Paula

Elementary teacher and mom of 3 children here.

Hands down the ultimate best video for little, little ones "Richard Scarry's Best Learning Songs Video Ever." Every one of my kids, and they are all VERY different personalities, loved, loved, loved this video (DVD). And even though they are well past the target audience (7,10 and 13) if I put it in they are pulled to it like magnets because of the fond memories.

Song videos or ones with songs incorporated are your best bet, but may also end up making you a bit batty. There rreally isn't anything that beats teh level of attention learning will get with shows with music. It is amazing brain development stuff.

The classics are really the way to go: Barney, Sesame Street, and even Mr Rodgers (they still run these in reruns because they are so very valuable). One of the newer classics "The Wiggles" on Disney is fun, too. But at this point I would caution you against Nickalodeon, not because of the shows as much as the commercials! During the preschool hours the individual shows are commercial free but between shows... HOLY MOLY, they make up for lost ground.

Have fun and happy juggling.

Just limit her tv time and don't ever teach her how to use the remote. :)

I really like a Sesame Street video about going to the doctor. (Elmo has an ear infection.) My daughter watched it over and over and the next time she went to the doctor she was a completely different little girl... totally cooperated with everything.

I also like Dragon Tales because it teach acceptable behavior and Sid the Science Kid and the Magic School bus because it actually teaches science. I think they are all on PBS.

If you happen to have a DVR. Record her shows so you can show them when YOU want to...

Oh, one more thing... the Baby Einstein (sp) videos are only education if you are going to sit with her and discuss what she is seeing. She isn't just going to *know* what the pictures are...

I liked Teletubbies. The little ones seem to enjoy it, and it's very calming.

Even at that age, Signing Time is a great resource. www.signingtime.com

At 2, DD loved Little Einsteins, Sesame Street, and Super Why. All educational and few commercials.

Our family loved the Fisher-Price "Little People" videos, each story is about 15 min in length and they incorporate good values like friendship and helping each other and the characters are the same little kids from the toys so your child should recognize them if you own any Fisher-Price little people toys.

Hi E. - You have already received some good ideas & I will chime in with another vote for PBS Kids. We chose not to do cable at our house - we thought why pay money for reruns & TV that we don't watch, plus it helps keep limits on TV usage. So we just have ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox & 2 PBS stations via the antenna on the house (plus it is free). PBS Kids is on every day but Saturday mornings (that has more home improvement & cooking at that time). For my boys (now 5 & almost 8) they still love PBS. They even like watching the home improvement shows.

For DVDs... My kids LOVE Veggie Tales! Check to see if your library or local church has some to borrow. I love that they are CLEAN and put forth a good moral message (be kind to neighbors, tell the truth, forgiveness, etc). My youngest also liked the Blue's Clues tapes that we borrowed from a friend.

Hope this all gives you some ideas & don't feel guilty if you let them watch some good shows so you can take care of the baby or yourself! A few minutes of "freedom" is a lifesaver!

Public television is great. My favorite shows were Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers (maybe not on anymore). My boys liked the science and math themed shows when they got older.

When my kids were little, we'd find great non-fiction videos in the children's section of the library, like visits to farms, all about airplanes, or how to.... And they were mostly short, in the 30 minute range.

E.,

One of the only channels I let my boys watch (2.5 yrs) is Noggin...part of the Nickelodean channels. I recommend you checking them out.

Otherwise, we get videos from NetFlix for them. One of their favorites is Big Trains, Little Trains...shows lots of toy trains and has 2 children telling about them. Also shows toy trains that people ride, and the large trains for passengers.

Good luck,
T.

As for TV go with PBS. They have commericials only at the top of the hour so you have less "I want that" TV is easier than DVD's to limit time because it is already in 30 min segments.
My 2 yr old loves Curious George and Berenstain Bears. you can also buy a DVD of Curious George episodes each one is 15 min or the whole DVD is about 1.5 hrs. My Friends Tigger and Pooh is also good (on Disney channel)

Good thinking E.-. The easy answer ( as to channels) is Channel 9- publicly supported- no commercials- and great shows -. There are good cable channels ( but watch em - some of the shows are grossly ''adult''' even though they are aimed at children) and there is something called SPROUT that is new - for small children. As to ''how to limit it''--- how about a timer-- and just a calm statement - that --the tv is done when the timer goes off. I know you'll do great - what lucky children you have.

Blessings,
J.

PBS Kids is pretty great. Channel 10 is OPB. It has no commericals, and is wonderfully educational, that's where I would start!

Hi E.,

We also have chosen to ditch the cable in exchange for DVDS. I found the best combination of entertainment without overstimulization with a good dose of education to be DK Eyewitness DVDs and videos and various nature vidoes. Anything from Nik junior (Dora, backyard agains), I find too active and stimulating. Baby Einstein, we like. Especially the animal ones. We have plenty of Disney but I don't care for the themes of most of them (if it about a girl, its about finding someone to marry. If it is about a boy, it's about being best friends with another boy. Lilo and Stich, and Mulan are exceptions). I have a variety of ones. And just let the kids pick.

There isn't a way to introduce them without getting hooked for a while that I have noticed! Both my kids wanted to be severely addicted to videos for about a year or so and then they could do without them. I think it is like most anything else that fascinates them. They MUST have it NOW! :-) So just instill some basic use parameters and don't fret if that is all they want to do for a while. My general rules are one video when they wake up and one before nap. But don't mention it, just if they ask, that is when I allow it. But sometimes I let it all slide and let them watch as many as they like. Usually only takes a day and then they will go for a week or more and not ask for any. Just try some things and see what seems good to you! Good luck on your recovery!

I almost forgot! Thomas the tank engine! I prefer the older ones that have less singing and more story. Both my kids loved them and the are just the right tenor for them.

There are learning opportunities everywhere, but sometimes tv/dvd's are just plain ol' entertainment. Start out with Disney short subject cartoons or Dora the Explorer, as examples. Giving her books that talk might be a good activity as well, where she can sit and read while you nurse. Get her her own baby doll that she can give a bottle to while you're feeding her sister. One that she can change, burb, and care for. I did this for my daughter each time she had a new brother. It worked like a charm. Coloring books and crayons (washable!) are great to fill in the time. Use large sheets of newsprint for her to draw on and let her imagination run wild. Enjoy these times, they are precious and few!!

We don't watch too much TV, though I've used a variety of options throughout the years.

You still can't go wrong with PBS. There's also PBS Sprout, which I think is a cable channel. Disney is usually good about limited to no commercials and good shows. As for DVD's, Baby Einstein has always been a big hit for my boys. I also have one LeapFrog (Letter Factory) and one Brainy Baby DVD, that the boys really like. We also did the Baby Signing Time DVD pack. Another option if you're a Comcast customer is OnDemand Kids. If you go to OnDemand --> Kids, you can find many OnDemand shows for kids from PBS or Disney (or many others) as well as "Baby Boost", which has several options for the younger ones.

For a little bit older kids, I really like Crashbox on HBO (if you have it). My oldest is still a little young for it, but he loves it and it's one of the only shows he watches right now.

Good luck! :o)

Hi E.,
I hear you about needing some time with the baby -Mine are 28 months apart and TV was my life saver when the younger one was born, and it still is when it comes to nap times. My now 3.5 year old gets 30 minutes once or sometimes twice a day. I really think that limiting the time make her look forward to it more than if it was on anytime- that way she really does stay in front of it when I am putting her sister down for a nap. (She does not always do 30 minutes in one setting- often she will watch 10 minutes and then we will stop it until she does what we need her to- get dressed, eat lunch...- So then we will let her watch the rest later.

Anyway, She LOVED Little Einsteins on the Disney Channel- We would Record the episodes so we can play it whenever. Also, there are commercials for Disney shows before and after, but the show itself has no interruptions. I like LE b/c the music is nice and not as annoying for me. (Kids tend to want to watch the same episode over and over again)

We also have the Baby Einstein DVDs which we all love. Baby Moves (even though it says it is for 9 mo) is great. When Katie was 2 she loved trying to copy the dance moves they did- She still likes it. World Animals and Neighborhood Pets are also favorite Baby Einstiens.

When she was about 2.5 she started liking Calliou- He is a whiney, annoying kid, but not a bad show, and again- no commercials. It is on PBS.

Good Luck-
S.

E.,

I'm right with you in not letting my 17 month old watch much TV. We have however shown him very limited Baby Einstein DVD's (we got the entire collection for his 1 year birthday). He loves them and I think they are great. They are slow moving and very age appropriate, and educational. Regarding one of the other posts - I do agree that it's best to always participate with the learning and telling of what he's seeing, I do however think that the video's do a good job of explaining what different items and animals are.

The library is a good place to check out DVD's as well.

Have fun!

I really like how slow Miffy and Friends is. It is on channel 12 at 10:30. I have heard that flashy fast scene changes are not so good for brain development.