Best Educational TV Shows For Toddlers

Kids are great at soaking up new information, which is precisely the reason that we need to insert positive influences into their lives early on. While it's true that too much screen time isn’t good for your toddler, there’s no reason they shouldn’t enjoy some fun-packed educational shows every once in a while. Just be sure to monitor what kinds of shows they’re being exposed to. The last thing you want is for them to pick up on foul words as their first sentences! Keep reading for a list of great shows packed with imagination and learning opportunities of all kinds! You’ll see a few nostalgic long-time classics on here mixed in with the fancy new cartoons.

SESAME STREET

We’re kicking off today’s list with an old-time favorite. Introduced in the 1960s, Elmo and his friends on Sesame Street have influenced the childhoods of generations of kids, and they’re still airing the classic on your local PBS stations. Not only is this show great for your child’s imagination, but it also covers a vast area of learning topics.

From numbers and math with Count Von Count to learning about everyday activities and objects in Elmo’s world, Sesame Street could be described as the preschool to actual preschool. The show also ties friendship and good behaviors into their fun, interactive lessons, making it extremely beneficial for your toddler in every way.

DANIEL TIGER

Next up, we have a relatively newcomer involving playful animals and a colorful, imaginative cartoon world. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is actually based on the kindness and social-emotional aspects of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.

Using the same kind of theme and inspiring tone, the little cartoon Tiger will teach your toddler everything from sharing their toys to eating on their own. Each episode has its own lesson in the form of a short, catchy tune perfect for toddlers just starting to talk. Furthermore, Daniel Tiger is full of heart-warming friendships captured in a colorful, eye-catching cartoon style that your toddler is sure to love!

SID THE SCIENCE KID

Sid the Science Kid is unique in that the show uses big words in understandable ways for young children to understand. Its early childhood classroom setting and the young characters are perfect for 3- to 4-year-olds preparing to enter preschool. Not only will your toddler learn about a specific science topic every episode.

Nice Teacher Susie and her students are sure to settle any nerves they may have about the idea of preschool. Furthermore, there are predictable patterns and songs for every topic, which is perfect for teaching your toddler about routines at school. Although the show is technically about science, its playful atmosphere and abundance of mini-games are sure to grab any toddler’s attention!

Fun And Ingenious Ways To Display Your Child's Artwork At Home

One of the sweetest things about being a parent is seeing your child be filled with joy about things they create. And let's face it, they can create a lot of art projects between home, school, daycare, and other activities. While this is great, it can lead to the problem of parents not quite knowing what to do with all of those finger paintings, popsicle stick figures, and paper plate rainbows.

Sure, you can tack it up on the refrigerator, but there's only so much space. Plus, this can get a bit messy and cluttered fairly quickly. So what's a parent to do? Get creative yourself!

We've found a few fun and ingenious ways to display your child's art around the house without it becoming too much to handle!

TURN IT INTO PLACEMATS FOR THE DINNER TABLE

Perhaps one of our favorite and a more ingenious way of incorporating your child's artwork into your home is to turn it into a placemat! This can be done in a couple simple ways, such as investing in a laminator machine (this can be found on Amazon, of course!) or using self-adhesive contact paper.

Either way, this is a fast and easy project to not only prolong the life of your kid's artwork, but also to enjoy it at every meal! One of the great things about this display is the fact you can make as many placemats as you want, store them in a drawer for future use, and won't clutter your walls. It's a great solution for parents and children alike!

MAKE IT INTO A BOOK

Much like turning your child's artwork into placemats, creating a book allows you to both display their art and keep your home clutter free. Of course, not all of their works of art can go into a book, but paintings, drawings, and other paper-based items can be glued onto the blank pages of a book. This creates a whole new art piece you can proudly display on your living room table for guests to flip through. Just imagine how delighted your little ones will be seeing their art turned into this creative exhibition!

USE IT AS HOME DECOR

Perhaps one of the more creative ways to show off your kid's art is to actually use it to decorate your home. Sure, not all works of art will double as decor, but it's fun to upcycle those pieces that do.

Rainbows, flower pots, stained glass, and ornaments are not only fun projects for your kids, but also make fun decoration items to put on a colorful display in your home.

HANG IT ON CURTAIN RODS

This effortless method of showcasing creative work is trendy and straightforward. It provides your child with a space of their own to display their master pieces without having them take over the house. Using a few curtain rods also provides ample room for your kid to make their projects visible to everyone, while also allowing them to switch out artwork easily.

SOURCE: https://www.moms.com/best-ways-to-display-child-artwork-at-home/

The Moms Code: 10 Life Skills for Back To School

Parents love to put school-aged children in different sports and activities to help them grow and develop their social skills and become well-rounded individuals. But, alongside these extra-curricular activities and basics like potty training, tests to teach basic dexterity, and lessons about behaving in an appropriate manner, there are some life skills that every child should be taught.

Some of these skills are critical, others simply provide children with useful tools they’ll need when they get older and have to enter the real world or interact with others beyond their inner circle.

Some kids have a harder time learning certain skills than others. Yet, it’s up to the parents to engrain good habits in kids from an early age and make teaching their kids some important life skills high up on the list of lessons.

Here are life skills every school-aged child should have or be working towards.

WHAT TO DO IF APPROACHED BY A STRANGER

Kids, especially ones who are particularly social, are naïve, and they might not realize the concept of “stranger danger.” Kids should be taught from a young age what to do if they are approached by a stranger while playing at the park, or even on their own front lawn.

This goes along with other basic safety tips like never to open the door for strangers, especially if mom and dad aren’t home or upstairs or are in another room, how to find an employee if they are lost in a public place, never to take food from strangers, and to always find a trusted adult.

HOW TO TIE THEIR SHOES

Kids wear Velcro shoes for much of their toddler years, and maybe even through kindergarten. But, once they get older, it’s time to buy them shoes with laces and teach them that old bunny ears method of how to tie them.

There are toys and activities kids can use to practice the process of tying before they tackle their runners. Alternatively, you could have them play games which reinforce these concepts so they have it down pat in time for taking their snazzy new shoes to school in the new school year.

UNDERSTANDING MANNERS

Knowing when to say “please” and “thank you” and not chewing with your mouth open seem like a no-brainers, but it’s amazing how many children lack these basic life skills. Being polite and having manners will take you far in life, both for kids and adults. So, teaching kids repeatedly to say these words early on will make it second nature to them.

Teach them not only to say these words to others when out and about, but also at home. Whether it’s to a brother who passed the potatoes at dinner or to mom for helping them with homework, good manners are always appropriate.

RIDING A BIKE

Every child should, at some point, be taught how to ride a bike. Beyond the benefit of exercise and being able to go out independently with friends and family for rides, riding a bike teaches kids much more. They learn about perseverance, facing fears, and that they can do anything if they put their mind to it.

Learning to ride a bike is a milestone in many kids’ lives, and the sense of accomplishment both they and their parents feel once the child is finally able to remove those training wheels and ride freely down the sidewalk or trail is worth every minute of patience invested in teaching them this skill.

BEING ABLE TO SWIM


Learning to swim might take years of lessons, while some kids have a natural aptitude for it. Nonetheless, learning not only how to swim, but proper safety measures, as well as how to help someone who might be drowning, are important skills that kids should be taught either in lessons or by their parents.

If you don’t have a pool at home, or even if you do, consider enrolling the child in lessons at the local community center, or just take them there during public swim hours and teach them the basics. The more familiar kids get with being in water from a young age, the more comfortable they will be in water. Plus, being able to survive in water is a critical life skill.

HOUSEHOLD CHORES AND HANDY WORK


It’s amazing how many kids get to college and don’t know how to do things like separate, wash fold clothes, make eggs or boil water, or hammer a nail. Kids should be taught these basics at as young an age as possible.

Maybe these things aren’t part of their own list of chores. Still, it's a good idea to have them nearby while you do them so they can learn how to separate whites from colours and delicates from regular loads, how to properly cook pasta, and the right way to boil or fry an egg. They’ll thank you when they’re older for teaching them these basic yet important life skills.


Source:  https://www.moms.com/school-aged-child-skills-work-toward/

The Moms Code: Top 5 Reasons Your Child Should Learn Another Language

English may be the lingua franca of the world but that shouldn't stop your family from learning another language or at least giving your kids the chance to secure that all-so-important second language.

Yes, there are a number of benefits to speaking more than one language, from communication, global understanding, and employment. However, sadly, learning another language is difficult, especially for those that are that little bit older. Yes, it really is the younger the better for studying second languages, with the brain greedier for new information at a younger age. So, here are my top reasons why your child should learn another language.

SO YOUR KIDS CAN COMMUNICATE WITH MORE PEOPLE

Most people regret not learning another language, especially when it limits their ability to communicate with whomever they want. For adults, learning a second language can be increasingly difficult. However, for children, it is much easier due to their brain's desperate need to absorb information. Overall, there are many reasons why your child should learn another language, but being able to communicate with the world is one of the most important. Yes, having the ability to speak a different language can open doors to friendships and relationships that they could have entirely missed before. Plus, it saves them from looking idiotic when abroad.

IT HELPS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

English is one of the most commonly spoken languages on the planet. If two people don't speak the same language, it is likely that they will be able to find common ground using English. For native English speakers, this is quite convenient, but it also has its downsides. Yes, native English speakers are less likely to interact with other cultures in different languages, mostly due to the fact that they rarely need to. However, having the ability to speak another language can give your kids that much-needed interest in other languages and cultures across the globe. Plus, it helps educate your children on cultural understanding and the ways that different communities communicate and connect and with one another.

IT CAN CONNECT YOUR KIDS TO THEIR HERITAGE

Since civilization began, humans have been migrating to different countries in search of a different life. As a result, different cultures and communities exist today that provide the world with a variety of languages and customs. However, sadly some families are unable to sustain their original culture due to a lack of understanding from the community in which they've settled. Therefore, giving your kids that ability to speak a second language can open the door to their past and social history. Yes, language and culture are most definitely linked and should be encouraged at all costs.

IT CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO OTHER LANGUAGES

The more languages you know, the easier it is to learn newer ones. That's right, once your kid has a second language under their belt, they may want to pursue another one. For instance, the 3rd time around, your child would have already worked out different strategies that seemingly work for them when learning a second language. Plus, languages usually come in groups, such as Latin languages, Nordic languages, and Arabic. Once they have figured out one of them, it can be easier for them to get to grips with similar grammatical structures that other languages might have.

IT BOOSTS CREATIVITY


Learning another language can really boost your brain power with regards to creativity and imagination. Yes, not only does it help academically, but it also helps your children's inventiveness and individuality. A second or third language expands the brain and opens it up to other grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This kind of brain power can benefit children who are interested or talented in the arts, such as writing, drawing, and even singing. In fact, not only does a second language help with your child's creative ambitions but it also contributes to a longer attention span.


Source: https://www.moms.com/10-reasons-your-child-should-learn-another-language/

Disney's Bizaardark: Survival Tips for Set Parents -- Part 7 (#RIPCameronBoyce)

This blog is dedicated to Cameron Boyce, a light in Disney’s amazing family. He was known for his stellar work ethic, creativity and amazing human spirit. Our sincerest and deepest condolences to his family. Nothing could be more devastating…

My Kid is Smart, Right?

One of the biggest dilemmas facing every set parent is how hard to push on the academics. The child is in the midst of the greatest opportunity to hit him/her in his/her young life and the hours are rigorous and at times overwhelming. Do only terrible, perfection obsessed moms demand academic rigor in addition to the stresses of being a full time series regular in a show?

There are two kinds of teachers, according to most of us. There are set ‘sitters’ who ensure your child works the hours they are supposed to (and ‘pumpkins out’ as the law decrees), gets breaks for lunch, waters, school, etc. and are treated well (as in like the children they are) on set. And, then, there are the teachers that TEACH the students the school material according to the selected curriculum of the child actor. School is a very complicated proposition for a child actor. And it is a dilemma for the production team as well. The executive producer has to decide how many teachers to fund for the child actors and also how to arrange who is in which classroom and how things will be managed. In our situation, the two lead girls Madison and Olivia were in the same classroom, shared a teacher, and were separated by one grade. For Season One, Jake Paul was over 18 so no teacher required for him. Ethan and Devore shared a teacher, Meghan, and the under-18 guest stars also would jump into their classroom as they have to attend 3 hours of school per day by law. Many times, the teachers are assigned based on who the actor shares the most scenes with as the teacher is on set when the kids are rehearsing or taping the episode. Since the teacher cannot be two places at once, this has to be constantly managed and juggled.

CLICK HERE -- Find my full series of Disney Set Parent blogs starting here -- CLICK HERE

In Season one, if Madison and Olivia’s teacher was out for any reason, she would ask Meghan to take her class and Ethan and Devore would get a substitute. Since the relationship with the teacher is so important and Meghan is a teacher who does actually work with the kids (she is awesome at teaching and coaching them), this swap out scenario was not popular with me or Devore’s mom. We were quite happy to have Meghan as the teacher but not have her rotate out and have many kid guest stars of all ages in and out every episode; it is very disruptive for learning. And I admit, I’m academically oriented and wanted Ethan to remain on a rigorous school schedule. My advice is to choose a challenging curriculum, but not so hard that it kills them! Ethan is enrolled in two programs – Stanford On-Line High School (every course is killer hard and amazing) and International Connections Academy (very challenging and has wide offering of Honors and Ap courses). He takes six classes a semester and one additional one every summer, the most rigorous schedule he can handle while working 52 ½ hours per week, excluding travel, promo shoots, commercials and other work. Needless to say, his social life was not robust outside the show, other Disney commitments, and getting home to Hawaii as much as possible.

My advice continues with: push for the academics. It is not about proving that your child is exceptionally bright in addition to possessing amazing amounts of acting talent.  The fact is, most child actors are smarter than the average bear as they have so much material to continuously absorb; and, they have to make adjustments and changes on the spot to incorporate the material as the episode unfolds. Challenging academics keeps them on track to have options as well. The child actor may or may not develop into the adult actor and you want your child to be prepared for college if they want that option. You can’t do this last minute. You have to have a four-year plan that is flexible for work projects but does not leave your child too far behind.

This is not to say that the child should be maxing out on all the APs, exams, subject tests, etc. We made a decision that Ethan would take the ACT only and take it only in spring of his junior year. He took AP classes that matched his interests and he missed one of the tests due to a work commitment. We decided to NOT take any subject tests. We could not long-term plan some of the tests given our wild geographical swings. So, we made informed choices NOT to try to do EVERYTHING. We did not know where we would be. He had a lot of stress during the finals period each semester in high school, as he had to have prearranged approved proctors for his mid-terms and finals with Stanford On Line High School. He took tests in Utah, Hawaii, Florida and LA due to the demands of the work commitments. Sometimes it was his first time in a venue and he did not know the proctor (having found them on an approved list). This increased the angst and stress, but he pushed through it! Our motto is the same for auditions, his work on the show, and, other work projects and academics. Prepare and do your best. Then accept the result and move forward! If you leave everything on the table and it doesn’t work out exactly as you want, there should be no regrets!

Thank goodness the show runners and Disney are supportive and encourage academics. Despite this, as a parent, I still needed to advocate for the academic piece, and it is worth it. Whether it is to keep a beloved teacher for continuity or reaching out to other parents to understand how they are navigating the education piece, the time invested in designing an academic plan is worth it.

Do you struggle with how hard to push your child when he/she has a significant passion or talent that is very time consuming?

Thanks for coming back again to read the blogs! More tips and insights forthcoming on parenting versus letting the child actor do his/her thing. Child actors are not known for wanting tips and advice from their parents, but we still need to parent them! Have a great week.

With Aloha,

Eileen

Again, this blog is dedicated to Cameron Boyce, a talented and beloved Disney star and person who will be remembered always. And to his parents who raised a brilliant human being.