Make the most out of screen time: 12 best shows for toddlers on Netflix

Want your child to learn while watching TV? Here’s a list of the best shows for toddlers on Netflix.

What can you read in this article?

• Screen time guidelines for toddlers.
• Best shows for toddlers on Netflix
• Screen time tips for parents with toddlers

Since the pandemic, entertainment has been limited. We can’t visit family, meet with friends, go to parks and bring our kids on fun and educational trips. One thing that has kept us sane while inside our homes was our gadgets. We rely on it to keep us and our kids entertained.

For some families, Netflix has been a lifesaver. Kids of all ages use this online streaming platform to watch their favorite shows. They even made it a bonding activity for couples (Netflix and chill) and families with young kids.

If you have Netflix, you’ll know how hard it is to choose from the hundreds (maybe thousands) of shows they have available to their subscribers. Which shows are fun and appropriate for little kids to watch?

Don’t fret. To help you make the most of your Netflix subscription, we came up with the list of the best shows for toddlers on Netflix to help you narrow down your list of titles to watch.

Screentime guidelines for toddlers

Our kids have been cooped up inside for a long time now, and one way for them to learn and be entertained is by watching shows on Tv or gadgets. However, there has been a lot of research regarding the harmful effects of screentime on kids.

So, how do we navigate this? What is the rule we should follow in giving screen time to our kids?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,  children below 18 months should not be allowed any screen time at all, with the exception of video chatting with family and friends.  Meanwhile, kids ages 18 months up to 3 years old are allowed up to an hour of screen time a day.

Things you should ask in choosing a show for your kid

With the limit on screen time, parents should be more discerning when picking a show for their kids to watch. Don’t just hand them the gadget and let them pick. There is a lot of scary stuff on the internet, so you have to choose the right material to expose your child to.

Here are some factors parents should consider when choosing a show for their child:

• Is it appropriate for your child?

Is your child ready for this show? Does it veer away from violence and other things that you don’t want to expose your child to? If you can’t tell explain the show in words your child will understand, then maybe it’s not appropriate for him to watch it.

• Is it engaging?

Does it capture your child’s attention and teaches lessons for him to use? Does it connect with your child?

• Is it entertaining?

Do you want to watch it? It’s better if you, the parent, is also interested in the show so you can discuss it with your child afterward.

• Does it have any red flags?

Are the characters good examples to your child? Children emulate what they see so watch the tone of the main characters and how they interact. Do they talk nicely to their parents and other characters in the show? Are they showcasing bullying or do they encourage kindness and sharing?

12 best shows for toddlers on Netflix

According to Common Sense Media, an organization that reviews different media content to ensure if it’s appropriate for kids, as long as you’re thoughtful about your choices and balance screen time with other activities, there’s no reason to not allow your kids from watching quality entertainment.

In fact, here are some shows on Netflix that are educational, engaging, and promote good values. Most of these shows last for less than 20 minutes (some are just for 5 minutes) to keep your child’s attention.

Here are 12 of the best shows for toddlers on Netflix:

• Alphablocks

Perfect for toddlers with short attention span, this show features five to six-minute videos teaching phonics.  Your kid will surely remember his ABCs and how each letter sounds after watching this series.

• Numberblocks

From the same creator of Alphablocks, it aims to teach simple mathematical concepts to young kids.

• Word Party

An interactive show featuring four baby animals that invite kids to join their party as they learn new words.

• Veggietales

This series features interactive shows with moral lessons based on the Bible. Bonus: teaching your kids about the different kinds of vegetables.

• Charlie’s Colorform City

This colorful interactive show teaches the concept of shapes and promotes imagination.

• Hey Duggee

Kids will definitely love Duggee, a big lovable dog who runs a club for preschoolers. To earn badges, the other characters must complete a task. This will surely encourage your child to learn, have fun, and get moving!

• Super Monsters

Nothing scary about this show, mommies! In fact, it features kind preschoolers that model positive behavior (like sharing and teamwork) for young learners.

• Super Why

This animated series helps children to learn key reading skills like alphabet, spelling and rhyming. Bonus: your child will develop a love for reading and books.

• If I Were An Animal

Wish you could take your kid to the zoo? Watch this show with him in the meantime and learn about different kinds of animals.

• Twirlywoos

Nothing much happening in this show, which is perfect for little kids. The storyline is really simple, yet so effective in teaching kids basic concepts we use in our daily lives.

• Waffles+Mochi

It’s never too early to share your love for food with your child. This new Netflix series features two funny puppets traveling the world, exploring the wonders of food and culture.

• Hi5

Kids of all ages love watching this interactive show because of their catchy songs that helps encourages kids to sing and dance along. Watch until the end of each episode to learn a new dance with your toddler.

READ MORE:

Netflix’s improved parental controls gives more choice to parents

Fighting screen fatigue: Digital wellbeing tips from Google

5 DIY Activities that Parents and Kids can Enjoy While Staying Safely Indoors

Screen time tips for parents

To maximize your toddler’s screen time and avoid its negative effects, here are some tips you can do at home:

• Be with your kids during screen time and interact with them

As much as we want to hand them the gadgets so we can have our own me-time, we can just take a few minutes to sit down with our child and ask him about what he’s watching.

• Include other fun activities during the day

One way to make sure your child won’t be glued to the screen all day? Think of other physical activities to do with him like walking around the garden or doing kids yoga.

• Set specific rules for screen time

Set an alarm for when they start watching their shows so they will know when it’s time to stop. Also, designate the bedroom and dining area as no-screen zones.

Screen time does not have to be harmful as long as your child observes proper guidelines and watches shows that will help allow him to think, explore and have fun.

Sources:

Kids Health.org, Common  Sense Media.org, Huffington Post