This is taken from “Ask Naomi” with parenting expert Naomi Aldort Ph.D. To see Part 1 of Why Toddlers Bite Click Here.

Preventing Biting
A toddler who feels connected, loved, autonomous and at peace is not likely to bite. She has no need for it. Therefore the first path of prevention is respecting your toddler’s autonomous inner guidance, avoiding undue expectations and restrictions and staying close and connected. This may include avoiding peer play, which is often much too difficult for young children. Notice how much happier your baby is with an older child or with you. Read more »

“Turn This World Around for the Children” - Raffi

Lyrics
We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around
for the children - turn this world around
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
for the children - turn this world around

Turn turn turn, turn this world around - for the children
Turn this world around

The dreams of our young ones born into this world
Need respect and love to come alive
Honoring the children is what we’re here to do
Now is the hour and we’ve got the power to

If every nations’ leaders put their children first
Care and provide for every child
Each and every household could sing a song of joy
All round this planet, a new light within it could bridge
And the children sing: help our light to shine
May we all be fed, may we all be loved
May the elders here open up their hearts
To this song of ours, may they do their part
May our dreams unfold, may we find our place
In a healthy world, embracing every race
May we all be free, may we live in peace
Hear the children sing, hear us sing
Turn turn turn, turn this world around
for the children - turn this world around …

Tonight, driving home, I was listening to this song.  I’d heard it a few years back, and loved it.  But it didn’t hit me the same was as it does today.  Earlier today I had empathy, and felt a pain in my heart for the children.  My child, the neighbor’s children, my son’s school mates.

My guess is that we all want to turn our world around for our children.   But who has time?  We’re so busy.  Busy lives, work, school, cooking cleaning, never a break.  We can’t even turn our schedules around, never mind the world….
And when I say that, part of me believes it, but the other part doesn’t because I know we can all make a difference.  Sometimes I’m so scared to make a difference in the world.  But why should I let my fear and selfishness stop me from changing children’s lives.  Or making a difference for someone.

I’m so blessed with a good life.  I have a lot to give and I’m going to start focusing on giving it.

If anyone has thoughts about this, I would like to hear them!

P.S.  Go out and get yourself a copy of “Turn this world around.” By Raffi it’s from the album Resisto Dancing.

This is part 4 of a 5 part series, to see the previous post T.V. Shows for Your Toddler, The 5 Best Age Appropriate, #3 Sesame Street click here.

(These shows are not listed in a particular order).

#4 Barney And Friends

Barney is a controversial figure in children’s television. Either parents love him, or they don’t.  Some parents find his upbeat and positive attitude irritating.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of Barney.  I see his happiness and joy as something the world could use more of. Barney is positive, kind, generous and never says a mean thing.

If more people were like Barney, the world would be a better place, and everyone would be much more kind and loving to one another.
Parent’s main concern over Barney’s positivity, is that by watching Barney their child will somehow be put in an unrealistic positive bubble.  Don’t worry parents, have no fear, as that’s not likely to happen.  One hour a day or a week of Barney is not enough to influence your child into a comatose positive state.

Research shows that children need positive re-enforcement early on, as later, when they venture out into the world it helps them meet any challenge that comes up. Introducing little ones to stresses of life and cynicism early on only promotes low self esteem and fear.

Interesting Barney Trivia:

• Did you know that Barneys full name is Barney T. DINOSAUR.
• Did you know that Barney’s favorite bread is pumpernickel.
• Did you know that Barney and friends has been on the air since 1992.
  Studies conducted at Yale show that Barney and Friends is very educational for pre-schoolers.
  

Please Check out Wikipedia for more interesting facts about Barney and Friends on Wikipedia.

This is part 3 of a 5 part series, to see the previous post T.V. Shows for Your Toddler, The 5 Best Age Appropriate, #2 Go Diego Go! click here.

(These shows are not listed in a particular order.)

#3 Sesame Street

Hi Parents!

I mean, who doesn’t love Sesame Street!?!
Read more »

This is part 2 of a 5 part series, to see the previous post T.V. Shows for Your Toddler, The 5 Best Age Appropriate, #1 Dora the Explorer click here.

(These shows are not listed in a particular order).

#2 Go Diego Go!

Since Dora and Diego go hand in hand, the reasons I like both are the same, please see the previous Dora post to find out about what your child can learn.

Read more »

This is part 1 of a 5 part series, to see the previous post Top 5 Best Age Appropriate T.V. Shows for Your Toddler, Your little ones don’t wanna miss these…click here. (The shows are not listed in a particular order).

#1 Dora The Explorer

What I like about Dora is she’s positive and uplifting, reinforcing and self esteem building. There’s not a lot of drama besides Swiper swiping the occasional goody.  Another positive is the graphics are presented at a slower pace.  Not so much crazy overstimulation happening.  Swiper is the only thing I have mixed feelings about, as he steals.  But it seems to be in good fun…

What your child may learn from Dora the Explorer:

* Spanish Vocabulary
* Positive attitude towards life
* Perseverance and empathy
* Acceptance and tolerance of different races and ethnicities
* Math and music skills as well as physical coordination
* How to observe situations and solve problems

This is what’s said about Dora on her stations website (an excerpt from an interview with the show’s creators):

What will Dora the Explorer teach my child?
Dora the Explorer teaches children basic Spanish words and phrases along with math and music skills and physical coordination. Children also learn with Dora how to observe situations and solve problems.

How does Dora the Explorer teach Spanish?
In each episode of Dora the Explorer, Dora solves a problem based on specific words and phrases in conversational Spanish, which preschoolers learn as they solve the problem with her. These words and phrases include a variety of basic nouns, adjectives, and commands, such as “azul” for “blue”, and “cuidado”, which means “watch out”.

What makes Dora the Explorer different from other children’s programs?
A. Val: One of the things I love most about the show, and something that makes it unique, is that viewers are asked to be active participants - not only by answering questions, but by getting off the couch and moving their bodies. Parents tell us they know when Dora is on because they’ll see and hear their kids playing along with the show: counting, speaking Spanish, jumping, rowing, clapping, etc.

Can you talk about the interactivity of the show?
A. Chris: It’s probably the most important aspect of the show and the thing that kids enjoy most. Parents can always tell when their kids are watching Dora by hearing the kids talking back to the screen. We are also extremely proud of how successful we have been in getting kids off the sofa, up, and moving.

How do you make sure the shows are appropriate for the audience?
A. Eric: I used to write for preschool shows (such as Gullah Gullah Island) before I had preschoolers of my own. Now I have a 6-year-old son, a 4-year-old daughter, and 4-month-old son, and along with being an incredible experience, being a parent has been helpful as I try to write stories that are appropriate for our audience. It’s like having my very own focus group. I tell my kids the stories we’re working on as bedtime stories to see how they react (though I’ve discovered that Dora stories, being interactive, work better on car trips than when I want my kids to calm down and get sleepy). I try out story ideas on them to see if they’re hooked by the premise. In fact, I’ve asked my eldest son for help in my writing so many times that now he often says, “Not right now, I’m on a break.”
At the same time, every Dora episode is tested (and re-tested) by our Research Department with large numbers of preschoolers and we learn an incredible amount every time. And sometimes I discover that a story my kids assured me would be thrilling or hysterically funny only works when Daddy is telling it to his own children.

How is Dora a role model?
A. Val: Dora is a problem solver who doesn’t give up when faced with obstacles. She’s a caring friend always ready to stop and help someone in need; and she’s an adventurer whose curiosity and spirit lead her to explore the world. Dora’s a role model not only for children, but for adults, too!

Why is Spanish used in the show?
A. Val: Educators believe that introducing a second language to a child before the age of 6 or 7 is an important factor in his/her ability to achieve fluency. For many of our preschool viewers, Dora is their first encounter with a foreign language. As such, the show might teach them a little Spanish and make them curious and interested in learning more, or simply make them aware of and comfortable with foreign languages. For our Spanish-speaking preschool viewers, seeing Dora use Spanish might encourage them to take pride in being bilingual.

Dora episodes always follow a similar theme:

Dora needs to do something or go somewhere.
Dora has three or four places to go, with a final destination.
Dora and Boots meet Swiper along the way and sometime succeed to stop swiper from swiping by saying ‘Swiper no Swiping’ three times.
Though sometimes Swiper successfully swipes Dora’s items and hides them.
Dora and Boots always find the hidden item.
Dora will meet one of her friends at each of the locations on the Map.
Dora will ask the viewers to help her by giving advice (jump, run etc.), locating items and often shouting commands to the characters in Spanish.
Every character that appears on the episode then sings ‘We did it’ at the end except for Swiper.
Dora asks viewers what their favorite part was. She (and usually Boots) then proceeds to tell the viewer which part of the adventure she most enjoyed.

Interesting Dora the Explorer Trivia:

Did you know that Dora and Boots are best friends because she saved his beloved red boots from being swiped by Swiper.
Did you know that Dora’s main musical skill lies in the wooden flute.
Did you know that given the right reason Swiper (the sneaky fox) will always return things he swiped as a good gesture.
Did you know that Swiper has a New York accent.
Did you know that Swiper doesn’t speak Spanish but wished he did.
Isa the iguana has a crush on boots and knew him long before she met Dora.

… And best of all they’re GUILT FREE!!!

After spending many hours searching for age appropriate T.V. shows, I’ve narrowed it down to five excellent shows. These shows not only entertain but NURTURE and promote positive, healthy development in your toddler.

Though I have to confess, my rating system is picky and most shows don’t make it through my screening.
I’d rather err on the side of caution than expose my toddler to concepts that are inappropriate.

Read more »