Teletubbies - Waving (S1E9)
After a fun waving game with the adorable Tiddlytubbies, the Teletubbies say goodnight and wave their little friends off to Sleepybyes.
| Air Date | 2022-11-14 |
|---|---|
| Genres | Kids, Animation |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
In this gentle episode, the Teletubbies engage in a waving game with the Tiddlytubbies, their smaller companions. The activity centers on the simple, repetitive motion of waving hello and goodbye, which delights both groups of characters. The Teletubbies demonstrate enthusiastic waving, encouraging the Tiddlytubbies to join in the fun as they practice this fundamental social gesture together in the colorful Teletubbyland setting.
As the episode draws to a close, the Teletubbies help the Tiddlytubbies prepare for bedtime. They say goodnight to each of their little friends, waving as the Tiddlytubbies head off to Sleepybyes, the show's term for naptime or bedtime. The episode emphasizes the comforting bedtime routine and the warmth of saying goodbye at the end of the day, wrapping up with the familiar, soothing rhythms that characterize the series.
What parents say
Parents frequently note that Teletubbies episodes like this one offer a calming, screen-time option for very young children. Many appreciate the show's slow pacing and repetitive structure, which aligns well with toddlers' developmental needs and attention spans. The lack of complex narratives or overstimulation makes it a go-to choice for parents seeking gentle content during morning routines or wind-down periods.
Some parents have mentioned on parenting forums and Common Sense Media reviews that the simplicity of Teletubbies can feel monotonous to adult viewers, but they recognize that the repetition serves an educational purpose for toddlers learning language and social cues. Parents also appreciate episodes that model bedtime routines, as these can help reinforce similar routines at home.
A common sentiment among parents is that while Teletubbies may not be intellectually stimulating for older preschoolers, it remains a safe, non-commercial program that won't introduce concerning themes or behaviors. Parents of children with sensory sensitivities have noted the show's predictable format as particularly helpful.
What kids learn
This episode teaches toddlers the social skill of waving as a form of greeting and farewell. By watching the Teletubbies wave repeatedly to the Tiddlytubbies, young children observe how this simple gesture communicates friendliness and acknowledgment. The repetition reinforces the connection between the physical motion and its social meaning, helping toddlers understand when and how to wave in their own interactions with family members and peers.
The bedtime sequence models a comforting nighttime routine. Children see the Teletubbies helping the Tiddlytubbies transition to sleep with gentle goodbyes and waves, demonstrating that bedtime is a natural, positive part of the day. This can help toddlers develop associations between certain rituals and sleep, potentially easing their own bedtime resistance.
The episode also reinforces basic concepts of hello and goodbye, day and night, and the rhythm of daily routines. The caring interaction between the Teletubbies and Tiddlytubbies models nurturing behavior and demonstrates how older friends can help younger ones feel safe and comfortable during transitions.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode appropriate to watch right before my toddler's bedtime? | Yes, this episode is well-suited for pre-bedtime viewing. It features a calming bedtime routine where the Teletubbies say goodnight to the Tiddlytubbies, which can help signal to your child that sleep time is approaching. The gentle pacing, soothing tone, and familiar bedtime themes make it a better choice than more stimulating programming during the wind-down hour before sleep. |
| What age child is this episode designed for? | This episode is designed for toddlers aged approximately twelve months to three years. The simple waving game, repetitive actions, and basic social interactions align with the developmental stage of very young children who are just beginning to understand gestures, routines, and social cues. Older preschoolers may find the content too simple for sustained engagement. |
| Will my child actually learn anything from watching characters wave? | Yes, toddlers learn social gestures through observation and repetition. Waving is one of the earliest communicative gestures children master, and seeing it modeled repeatedly helps reinforce when and how to use it. The episode demonstrates that waving is appropriate for both hellos and goodbyes, helping your child understand the social contexts for this gesture in their own interactions. |
| Why is the episode so repetitive and slow-paced? | The repetition and slow pacing are intentional design choices that match toddlers' cognitive development. Young children learn through repetition and need time to process what they see. The deliberate pace allows toddlers to absorb the action, anticipate what comes next, and feel a sense of mastery. What seems monotonous to adults is actually developmentally appropriate for the target audience. |
| Does this episode contain any content I should be aware of? | This episode contains only gentle, age-appropriate content. There is no conflict, scary imagery, or complex emotional situations. The entire episode focuses on a simple waving game and a bedtime routine. It's one of the most straightforward and calming episodes in children's programming, making it suitable even for very sensitive or anxious toddlers. |
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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