The American Pediatrics Association recommends that no screens be shown before 18 months and cautions that even after this age, time should be limited, and programs should be high quality. Of course, these guidelines leave many concerned parents with many questions. What makes a program high quality? Are some shows the equivalent of fast food while others are a balanced meal? What shows should my kid be watching?
Experts and research help fill the gaps, pointing out that overly stimulating shows limit executive function. Parents of toddlers should opt for low-stimulation shows that move at a slower pace. The storylines are simple and more straightforward for small kids to understand. The shows are often educational, whether teaching academics or focusing on social lessons.
To help busy parents (in other words, all parents), we gathered up some wholesome, slower-paced shows perfect for screen time. These might even let you make an important phone call or whip up the next meal.
Sesame Street
Sesame Street is the gold standard of research-backed children’s television. Decades of viewers and studies have shown overwhelming positive impacts. One of the most reassuring results for uncertain parents? Children who watch Sesame Street are better prepared for elementary school.
Over 50 seasons and 4,000 episodes are available, ensuring that if this show becomes your toddler’s obsession, you will always have new material. The show covers various topics, from something as simple as a pumpkin patch to big issues that are artfully broken down to a toddler’s level.
Super Why
Super Why! is a fun PBS show that follows superhero friends on their reading adventures. The show is designed to help preschoolers learn to read, which is an impressive goal.
Parents can be assured to know that a study proves the program is helping viewers learn foundational literacy skills. Preschoolers who watch Super Why! have improved letter knowledge and phonological and phonemic awareness skills.
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
If some YouTube shows are a bag of Cheetos, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood is the equivalent of a home-cooked meal. Mr. Rogers is a slow-paced, live-action show starring Mr. Rogers himself. He speaks directly to the camera in a calm, kind tone. The whole show feels like a warm hug with comfortable routines and familiar songs.
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood is set apart from some other shows on the list by its foundation in reality. Live action shows can be less stimulating than more fantastical options.
Daniel Tiger
Daniel Tiger is a contemporary spinoff of Mr. Rogers. The show follows a cartoon tiger as he learns big lessons about being a friend, handling emotions, and other skills your kid is also probably learning.
Daniel Tiger focuses more on prosocial skills than academics. Children who watch Daniel Tiger show improved empathy skills. However, if you ask any parent, the best part of Daniel Tiger is their catchy potty training song If you have to go potty, stop, and go right away.
Arthur
Arthur is another PBS show that is excellent for preschoolers. Based on a charming children’s book Arthur is no longer airing, however there are 25 years of quality shows available.
Arthur is a shockingly normal kid (well, aardvark) for a television program. He makes mistakes and learns from them. Sometimes, he is a good friend; Sometimes, he is not and has to apologize.
Researchers found that by watching Arthur kids are learning empathy and higher moral thinking along with the beloved protagonist.
Trash Truck
Trash Truck may be the most charming toddler show out right now. The show is about a little boy named Hank and his best friend, who happens to be a Trash Truck.
The two and their cute animal friends engage in low-stakes adventures that often have a heartwarming lesson. However, the best part may come after watching. As one parent put it, “Unlike MANY other children’s shows, my child comes away calm and not jumping off the walls when watching [Trash Truck] because he isn’t being ridiculously stimulated.”
You can find the show on Netflix if you want to join the Trash Truck fan club.
Bluey
Bluey is an Australian show that follows a family of heelers named, of course, the Heelers and follows the mundane but magical moments of childhood. Children learn through play, and Bluey is a show that rightfully glorifies play.
Children love it, but what sets it apart is that so do parents. The show encourages parents and kids to watch together by giving everyone in the family a little something to enjoy.
Why does it matter? Research shows that when children watch TV with adults they have greater language skills.
Blue’s Clues
Before there was Bluey, another blue dog was prominent in toddler life. Blue’s Clues has a human host who plays a guessing game with his animated dog, Blue.
Depending on which version you watch, Steve, Joe, or Josh talks directly to the camera in an inflection you’d expect from a preschool teacher with careful pauses to encourage engagement.
Toddlers who watch Blue’s Clues have larger vocabularies and higher expressive language.
Puffin Rock
Puffin Rock is another adorable Netflix original cartoon. The show follows young Puffins who live on an Irish island. In between the usual plot lines are actual nature facts for your budding Biologist. The show has short segments, about 8 minutes, making it perfect for those who want to do screen time but keep it limited.
However, don’t take it from us. Parents rave about the charming penguin show. “Puffin Rock [is] my go-to ‘why are you awake at 5 AM’ shows. Educational. Soothing. Chill.”
Another parent says, “It is a really darling show; It teaches real facts about the natural world, it has tender family-centric themes, and the artwork is stunning.”
Little Bear
Sometimes, the trick to finding lower-stimulation kids’ programs is to look back to a time before YouTube. Little Bear is a pleasant, calm show from the 90s that fits the bill. As you may have guessed, Little Bear is a child bear with wholesome adventures with other forest friends.
One mother found that her child became much more regulated after switching to calm, 90s cartoons. She explained it as “A lot of 90’s childhood shows have lower stimulation than today’s shows & movies. I also love the messages and creative exploration a lot of 90’s shows teach children.”
