How to Use Television as a Tool for Your Toddler's Development

As a mom of two-year-old twins, I believe that television can be a great tool for a toddler's development. Now before experts everywhere trip over themselves trying to tell me I'm wrong, let me explain.

First of all, I'm not talking about the kind of television that you plop your kid in front of while you go do something else. I'll admit to doing this type of electronic babysitting when I was desperate to get something done. While I don't recommend doing it often, I don't believe that an occasional bout of mindless cartoons will rot your child's brain.

What I am talking about are educational shows. The Disney Channel, Nick Jr., PBS, Sprout and Noggin are full of choices. Together with your child pick out a couple of interesting programs that fit your needs.

Watch TV with Your Child
Next, watch these programs with your child. Yes, I realize that to an adult some of these programs are mind numbing. But this step is important -- watch these programs with your child. Actually a few of these shows are cute and entertaining, even for adults.

Encourage your child to participate. If the program says clap your hands, encourage (do not force) your child to clap his/her hands. Even better, set an example and participate yourself. If the program is counting to 10, then you should count to 10. The more you participate, the more likely your child will join in.

Reinforce the Skills They Learn
Later practice those same skills with your child. Do it an hour after the show, a day, a week. Keep practicing those skills that your child learned on their television favorite show. If they learned to name colors, practice picking out colors when you are in the grocery store or driving down the road. If they learn to jump, practice jumping the next time you are at the playground. Whatever the skill, reinforce it by repeating it often long after the show is over. We play Blue's Clues in the restaurant or the doctor's office, anywhere we have to wait.

Likewise, talk about the show with your child. This step is especially critical if you can't watch the show with your child (i.e. you work and your child watches the program at the babysitters'). Ask your child about the program. Yes, this does require that you are familiar with the shows. Who did the Koala Brothers help today? What animal did Diego save today?

Are your children to young to answer questions yet? Then learn the catch phrase or themes song of their favorite television show and sing it to them. When my children were still babies I would sing them the little song from the end of JoJo, but insert their name.

Hey [child's name], what do you say?
We all want to know what you did today.
We're all here so take it away,
Step right up and tell us what you learned today.

Experience Their Favorite Characters in Different Mediums
Next read to your child. You can buy children's books about almost any of today's children's television shows. Buy a couple of books (or rent them from the library) about your child's favorite TV program and read to them. Because they know these characters, your children are more likely to sit and listen (or at least look at the pictures) longer. Your child also sees that these characters can be fun and entertaining, even off the television screen.

Finally, if possible, let your child meet their favorite character. It could be as simple as a meet and greet at the local children's museum. Several of these television programs -- Sesame Street, Go Diego Go, Dora, Thomas the Train -- have touring live action shows with all the favorite characters. Take your child to one of these shows.

We took our twins to see The Wiggles in concert. They enjoyed being able to see the Wiggle characters on stage while singing and dancing along. They even brought roses for Dorothy the Dinosaur and a bone for Wags the Dog.

If you are heading to a theme park this summer, check to see if any of them feature characters from children's TV shows. Six Flag's Great America is adding a Wiggles World this summer and Texas has the Wiggly Play Center. You can have breakfast or dinner with Big Bird or Elmo when you visit Sesame Place in Pennsylvania. Of course, you can find your favorite Disney characters at any of the Disney parks. Your Nick Jr. friends can be found at Kings Dominion, Kings Island or Carowinds.

Everyday I'm surprised at what new skill my twins have picked up from their favorite television program. My son was humming Beethoven's ninth symphony the other day after watching an episode of The Little Einsteins. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has helped my daughter learn to count to t 10.

My job as a parent is not to deprive them of TV. They'll just want it more. My job is to make sure that they are watching quality shows and, therefore, picking up skills that are helpful to their development, and to nurture and reinforce this development in every way I can. And if I show them that they can have fun without television along the way, that's okay too.