Screen-Free Parenting: 10 Things to Have Your Toddler Watch Instead of TV

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Many of us use tablets, phones, or TV to entertain our little ones at some point or another.  If you are looking to do more screen-parenting then you have come to the right place!

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) excessive TV Watching by young children can have effects in the areas of child development, sleep, and obesity.

 They explain that the benefits from actual interaction far outweigh what a child can learn from a screen. “Children younger than 2 years need hands-on exploration and social interaction with trusted caregivers to develop their cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional skills. Because of their immature symbolic, memory, and attentional skills, infants and toddlers cannot learn from traditional digital media as they do from interactions with caregivers, and they have difficulty transferring that knowledge to their 3-dimensional experience.“

To read more in-depth about the AAP’s recommendations click here.

In busy households, TV is often used to “babysit” so that parents can get something done quickly.  If we know TV really doesn’t benefit toddlers, then what can they do instead?

 In this post I will describe 10 screen free activities to use in place of TV and what benefits your toddler will gain from them.

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Screen Free Parenting for Toddlers

 

Try Window Watching Instead of TV Time

 

If you look out the window many times you can find real live animal TV.

Maybe there are birds flying from one branch to the next or a squirrel gathering nuts. Point these out to your little one.

Connecting our children with nature young helps them grow a love for it. Labeling what they see increases their vocabulary by adding different names of plants and animals.

Participate in Meal Prep to Learn New Skills

 

This is a time when TV becomes a very convenient babysitter. We are all tired at 5 o’clock and preparing supper can seem like a somewhat daunting task especially when there is a little one beside you.

 However they can actually learn a lot from watching you. Include your toddler by giving them a spoon and a bowl and have them pretend that they are cooking like you.

 Pretend play is wonderful because it gives your child a chance to be creative.

Give your child empty boxes  for them to study and explore as the words and pictures on front our great for early literacy skills.  

Ask them to tell you about what they see.  Product labels are often times the first things children are able to “read.”

Toddlers Love to Watch Animals

 

My husband is a fish fanatic so an aquarium was a must in our household from the beginning.

I did not realize how much my son would enjoy it until after he was born. We spent many hours showing him the fish and listening to the bubbling sounds. Since our move my husband is in the process of setting it back up and my little guy is right by his side trying to help him out.

If you’re looking for an easy pet…this one is a great to entertain little ones and is somewhat low maintenance.

You will be introducing your child to yet another set of vocabulary words by talking about what the fish are doing and about the other creatures in the tank.

Cars and Trucks are Intriguing to Children

 

Cars, trucks, diggers, and lawn mowers driving by can occupy your child’s interest. Talk about the sounds they make and the speed they are going.

Label the colors and count how many go by to turn this into a pre-academic learning activity. If you can’t hear the sounds because they are too far away, make your own!

RELATED CONTENT:  5 DAY TODDLER LEARNING CHALLENGE 

Explore Music With Your Toddler

 

I guess this isn’t really something they can watch, but tots can be intrigued by sounds as well. Expose them to all kinds of music so that their love for it grows early.

Children’s songs are great because they repeat the same words over and over making it easy for them to pick up. However, any music will do and playing a variety opens them up to new experiences and also makes it more enjoyable for you.

Encourage them to dance around and get moving ( I find this helps with naps and bedtime)!

Siblings Can Provide Entertainment

 

If you are fortunate to have two or more little ones then they can entertain each other.  Have your older child put on a “show” for the baby.  

Your elder child will feel special and your baby will learn skills as well just from watching.  It’s a win-win for all involved.

Learn About the Weather

 

Train your mini weatherman to start forecasting early! Ask them to look out the window every day and describe what is going on for them.

If you do this everyday they will soon pick up the vocabulary and tell you even before you ask what the forecast is. Add on to this game by talking about what type of clothes they will need to wear for the day.

Helping Out With Household Chores is Beneficial for Everyone

 

By including your little one in your chores they will learn so much more! Your toddler is a great helper when it comes to taking all the laundry out of the basket and handing you it.

Label the clothing by names and they will soon have words like “socks” and “shirt” in their vocabulary.

If your sweeping the floor give them a small broom or brush to use to help along side you. Imaginary play is great for cognitive skills and sweeping the broom will help refine large motor skills.

Include Your Child in Daily Routines

 

In the past my husband and I would take turns getting ready while the other one watched our son but now we just include him.

He watches me put on my make up and I label my eyes, hair, and mouth while I do it. I have a small brush my son uses to practice brushing his hair while I do mine.

To increase self help skills I will also give him a wash cloth and have him “wash” his face, ears, ect. so we can continue to work on naming body parts as well.

Toddlers learn by watching and doing so lets include them in our routines instead of relying on the TV entertain. By allowing them to take part in chores you are giving them great opportunities to learn new skills and introduce them to rich language.

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