Teletubbies - Wait for It (S1E2)
The Teletubbies wait for delicious Tubby Toast, then wait for Dipsy to come down the Dup Dup to answer the Tubby Phone and lead them in a dance.
| Air Date | 2022-11-14 |
|---|---|
| Genres | Kids, Animation |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
In this episode, the Teletubbies learn about patience and anticipation as they wait for their favorite snack to be ready. The four friends gather around the Tubby Toaster, watching eagerly as it prepares their beloved Tubby Toast. The waiting process becomes an exercise in self-control and excitement as they anticipate the moment when the toast will pop up and be ready to eat.
The theme of waiting continues when the Tubby Phone rings and the Teletubbies must wait for Dipsy to come down the slide called the Dup Dup to answer it. Once Dipsy arrives and picks up the phone, he takes the lead in organizing the group for a dance. The episode reinforces the idea that good things come to those who wait, and that waiting together can be part of the fun when shared with friends.
What parents say
Parents frequently praise Teletubbies for its gentle pacing and age-appropriate content for toddlers and preschoolers. Many parents appreciate that the show operates at a young child's natural rhythm, with repetition and simple scenarios that mirror their own daily experiences. The slow, deliberate pace that some adults find unusual is exactly what developmental experts recommend for the youngest viewers.
Parents note that the show's nonverbal communication and minimal dialogue make it accessible for very young children who are still developing language skills. Some parents have mentioned that their toddlers enjoy mimicking the Teletubbies' movements and sounds, which can support early physical coordination and social imitation skills. The bright colors and friendly characters create a safe, predictable viewing environment that parents find comforting for their little ones.
Some parents have expressed that the show's repetitive nature and abstract elements may not appeal to older children or adults watching alongside, but most acknowledge that the series is specifically designed for its target demographic of one-to-four-year-olds rather than broader family co-viewing.
What kids learn
This episode teaches young children the important skill of patience through two relatable scenarios. Waiting for the Tubby Toast to be ready mirrors the everyday experience toddlers have when waiting for meals or snacks to be prepared. Children learn that waiting is a normal part of life and that the anticipation can be part of the enjoyment. The visual cues of watching the toaster work help children understand that processes take time.
The episode also demonstrates turn-taking and the value of waiting for others. When the Tubby Phone rings, the Teletubbies must wait for Dipsy to arrive before they can answer it and proceed with their activity. This models how groups function cooperatively, with each member playing a role and others waiting their turn. Young viewers see that waiting for a friend is respectful and necessary for group activities to work smoothly.
Additionally, children observe positive social interaction and shared enjoyment. The Teletubbies wait together rather than becoming frustrated or impatient, showing that waiting can be a communal experience. When Dipsy finally leads the dance, children see the reward for patience and how waiting can lead to fun group activities that everyone enjoys together.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the repetitive waiting theme actually beneficial for my toddler's development? | Yes, the repetitive focus on waiting directly supports impulse control and delayed gratification, which are critical executive function skills for toddlers. At this age, children are just beginning to understand that they cannot have everything immediately. Seeing the Teletubbies wait calmly and then receive their toast or enjoy their dance helps normalize this experience and provides a simple model for managing the uncomfortable feeling of waiting. |
| Why does the show move so slowly compared to other children's programs? | Teletubbies is specifically designed for very young children aged one to four, whose cognitive processing speed is much slower than older children or adults. The deliberate pacing allows toddlers time to absorb what they are seeing, make connections, and anticipate what comes next. This slower rhythm matches their developmental stage and prevents the overstimulation that can occur with faster-paced programming designed for older audiences. |
| What is the Tubby Toast teaching my child besides waiting? | The Tubby Toast scenario introduces children to cause and effect: the toaster is activated, time passes, and then toast appears. It also familiarizes them with kitchen routines and mealtime sequences they experience in their own lives. Young children find comfort in seeing familiar activities reflected on screen, and the Tubby Toast ritual provides predictable structure that helps them understand daily routines and sequences. |
| Should I be concerned that there is very little dialogue in this episode? | The minimal dialogue is intentional and appropriate for the target age group. Toddlers learn extensively through observation, imitation, and nonverbal cues before they fully develop language skills. The Teletubbies communicate through actions, sounds, and simple words, which matches how very young children naturally interact with their world. This approach makes the show accessible to children at various stages of language development and across different language backgrounds. |
| How can I reinforce the patience lesson from this episode in daily life? | You can reference the episode when your child needs to wait for something, saying things like "Let's wait like the Teletubbies waited for their toast." Narrate waiting moments during your day, such as waiting for the microwave, waiting for a turn on the swing, or waiting for a parent to finish a task. Praise your child when they wait patiently, and acknowledge that waiting can be hard but that good things happen when we wait. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | The Tubby Custard Machine is making Tubby Custard bubbles — lots and lots of bubbles. And the Teletubbies are having fun chasing and popping them! |
| 1 | 2 | The Teletubbies wait for delicious Tubby Toast, then wait for Dipsy to come down the Dup Dup to answer the Tubby Phone and lead them in a dance. |
| 1 | 3 | The Teletubbies form a pop group and make music for everyone, with Dipsy on drums, Laa-Laa on trumpet, Po on piano and Tinky Winky on the mic! |
| 1 | 4 | The Teletubbies take turns saying hello and giving each other big hugs. Then they say hello to the flowers. Friendship is fun! |
| 1 | 5 | Tubby Custard goes everywhere when Laa-Laa brings a big orange ball down into Home Dome. Good thing the Noo-Noo is there to clean it up! |
| 1 | 6 | When the Tubby Phone rings, Dipsy comes down on the Dup Dup to answer it — then Dipsy goes back up again! Time for the Dipsy Tubby Phone Dance! |
| 1 | 7 | The Teletubbies run races, and each has a chance to win. Later, when the Tubby Phone rings, there's a race to reach it, too! |
| 1 | 8 | The Teletubbies play choo-choo and take turns being in front before following the Tubby Custard Machine on a spinny, bubbly Tubby Custard Ride! |
| 1 | 9 | After a fun waving game with the adorable Tiddlytubbies, the Teletubbies say goodnight and wave their little friends off to Sleepybyes. |
| 1 | 10 | The Tubby Custard Machine takes the friends on a Tubby Custard Ride that splats Tubby Custard all over the walls — and the Teletubbies, too! |
| 1 | 11 | It's party time! The Teletubbies celebrate with balloons, noisemakers and lots of sparkles before visiting the Tiddlytubbies and doing a fun party dance. |
| 1 | 12 | A funny joke makes Tinky Winky, Laa-Laa and Po laugh — but not Dipsy. When Dipsy does a silly dance though, the Teletubbies all laugh together. |
| 1 | 13 | When the Tubby Phone flashes purple, Tinky Winky answers and leads the Tubby Phone Dance! Later, the friends watch the Tiddlytubbies fall asleep. |
| 1 | 14 | Tinky Winky keeps standing between Laa-Laa and the beautiful flowers — but Laa-Laa likes looking at Tinky Winky just as much. |
| 1 | 15 | Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po do a roundy round dance that's so much fun they all fall down! Will the Tiddlytubbies like it, too? |
| 1 | 16 | The Teletubbies stand up straight to see who's the tallest and who's the shortest. Then, Tinky Winky and Po play a game with the Tiddlytubbies! |
| 1 | 17 | Tinky Winky puts Dipsy's hat inside the red bag, then the Noo-Noo vacuums them both up! Later on, the Teletubbies do a suitcase dance. |
| 1 | 18 | The Teletubbies love the Tubby Custard Ride that makes music — and yummy custard — and has fun, flashing lights! So they ask to go on it again and again. |
| 1 | 19 | Po makes funny sounds with the levers and buttons inside Home Dome. Then the Tubby Phone rings, sparking a silly Tubby Phone Dance! |
| 1 | 20 | After conga dancing over the hills, the friends conga into Home Dome to answer the Tubby Phone and do a special conga Tubby Phone Dance! |
| 1 | 21 | Four Teletubbies, four flowers — and four pieces of Tubby Toast! Counting to four is fun, especially when you're counting with friends. |
| 1 | 22 | The Teletubbies are tired after doing lots of exercise to stay fit. But after eating some Tubby Custard, they're ready for action again! |
| 1 | 23 | Tinky Winky can't sleep and goes outside to play so he doesn't disturb his friends. But his noisy footsteps on top of Home Dome wake them up instead! |
| 1 | 24 | When a red balloon floats into Teletubbyland, Po leads the Tubby Phone Dance in a special episode that's all about Po's favorite color. |
| 1 | 25 | Eh-oh! Dipsy's hat has fallen into a puddle and gotten wet. But soon the sun shines, the wind blows and Dipsy's hat is dry again! |
| 1 | 26 | The friends do a brand-new dance, first in pairs and then all together. The Teletubbies love dancing — and they love each other very much! |
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