Teletubbies - Follow the Leader (S1E8)
The Teletubbies play choo-choo and take turns being in front before following the Tubby Custard Machine on a spinny, bubbly Tubby Custard Ride!
| Air Date | 2022-11-14 |
|---|---|
| Genres | Kids, Animation |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
In this episode, the Teletubbies engage in a playful game of choo-choo, taking turns being the leader at the front of their little train. Each Teletubby gets a chance to lead the others around Teletubbyland, exploring the concept of turn-taking and following in a fun, physical way. The game allows Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po to practice cooperation as they switch positions and move together as a group.
The episode's second half features the Tubby Custard Machine taking center stage. The machine leads the Teletubbies on what the show calls a "spinny, bubbly Tubby Custard Ride," a whimsical sequence where the beloved custard dispenser becomes the leader they all follow. The ride combines the episode's follow-the-leader theme with the Teletubbies' signature love of Tubby Custard, creating a magical moment that blends movement, repetition, and the show's gentle surrealism into a satisfying conclusion.
What parents say
Parents frequently note that Teletubbies episodes like this one offer a calming, screen-time experience for very young children. Many appreciate the show's slow pacing, bright colors, and repetitive structure, which align well with toddler attention spans and developmental needs. The absence of complex dialogue and the emphasis on physical play resonate with parents seeking gentle, non-stimulating content for children under three.
Some parents have mentioned on parenting forums and Common Sense Media reviews that the show's abstract nature and minimal narrative can feel odd or even tedious to adult viewers, but they acknowledge that toddlers respond positively to the predictable routines and cheerful characters. Parents of children with sensory sensitivities have complimented the series for its soothing tone and lack of sudden loud noises or scary imagery.
A few parents have expressed mild concern about the limited educational content compared to more structured preschool programming, though many counter that the show's focus on social-emotional concepts like sharing, taking turns, and friendship provides valuable lessons for the youngest viewers. Overall, parents tend to view Teletubbies as a safe, age-appropriate choice for toddlers.
What kids learn
This episode teaches young children about the important social skill of turn-taking. By watching each Teletubby take a turn at the front of the choo-choo line, toddlers see a concrete example of fairness and patience in action. The visual demonstration helps even pre-verbal children grasp that everyone gets a chance to lead and that waiting for your turn is part of playing cooperatively with others.
Children also learn about following and leading as complementary roles in group play. The episode shows that being a follower is just as fun and important as being the leader, and that both roles require attention and cooperation. This helps toddlers understand that games work best when everyone participates and respects the structure, whether they are in front or behind.
The playful, movement-based nature of the choo-choo game encourages gross motor skill development and physical coordination. Toddlers watching may be inspired to create their own follow-the-leader games, practicing walking in a line, coordinating their movements with others, and using their bodies in imaginative play. The episode's joyful tone reinforces that learning social rules can be fun rather than restrictive.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode appropriate for my one-year-old? | Yes, this episode is designed specifically for very young toddlers. The simple choo-choo game, bright visuals, and gentle pacing align perfectly with the developmental stage of children aged twelve to twenty-four months. There is no scary content, loud noises, or complex storylines that might overwhelm a one-year-old. The repetitive structure and physical play are exactly what this age group can understand and enjoy. |
| What is the Tubby Custard Ride, and is it confusing for toddlers? | The Tubby Custard Ride is a whimsical, magical sequence where the custard machine moves and the Teletubbies follow it in a playful way. While it is surreal and abstract, toddlers typically do not find it confusing because they are still developing their understanding of reality versus fantasy. The bright colors, movement, and happy reactions from the characters make it engaging rather than bewildering for the target age group. |
| Will my child actually learn about taking turns from watching this? | This episode provides a visual model of turn-taking that toddlers can absorb, though real-world practice is essential for mastery. Watching the Teletubbies switch positions reinforces the concept, but parents should follow up with their own turn-taking games and verbal reinforcement during play. The episode plants the seed and makes the idea familiar, which can make teaching the skill in daily life easier and more effective. |
| Why is the episode so repetitive and slow-paced? | The repetition and slow pacing are intentional design choices that match toddler brain development. Young children learn through repetition and need time to process what they see. The deliberate pace allows toddlers to anticipate what comes next, which builds cognitive skills and gives them a sense of mastery. What feels slow to adults is actually perfectly calibrated for one- to three-year-olds' attention and comprehension abilities. |
| Is there any dialogue or language learning in this episode? | This episode features minimal dialogue, as is typical for Teletubbies. The characters use simple words and sounds, but the focus is on physical play and visual storytelling rather than language instruction. For toddlers still developing verbal skills, this is appropriate, as they learn from observing actions and emotions. Parents seeking more language-rich content may want to supplement with conversation during or after viewing. |
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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