How to Choose Television Shows for a Toddler

There are a number of television shows targeted toward toddlers and their notoriously short attention spans. The proper shows can keep a toddler engaged and interested, as well as teaching the child a few things.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for a show that has friendly characters and slow pacing. Anything with intense or frightening scenes will likely frighten a toddler. There are a number of shows and cartoons for older children that are not appropriate for toddlers because of their fast-changing scenes and loud sound effects. These shows are confusing and frustrating for young children.

2. Choose television shows that feature kid-friendly music. There are many shows with musical numbers targeted toward younger kids. The music will keep kids interested and may inspire them to dance and get a little exercise while watching TV.

3. Check the length of the show to see how long it runs. A very long show will likely not be able to hold a toddler's attention. A short show (15 to 30 minutes) has a better chance of fitting into a toddler's attention span.

4. Read reviews of toddler shows. There are a number of parenting forums and TV-show review sites that discuss children's shows. Take a look at what parents are saying about specific shows. Take note of the shows that are getting poor reviews for inappropriate or boring content.

5. Find television shows that teach foreign words, the alphabet, numbers or new vocabulary words. Many toddler shows try to teach as well as entertain. Those shows make the most of a toddler's television time, creating a time for learning as well as fun.