Watching TV has become a part of everyday adult life, but many parents feel guilty about allowing their toddlers screen time. However, regulated screen time under parental supervision isn’t harmful to kids under two years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a two-year-old have less than an hour of screen time (1). But, what to show a toddler? Can you let them watch cartoon videos for toddlers?
As a parent, you can select quality content for your kid and introduce them to it in a regulated way. In this case, the quality of the content is very significant. There are multiple cartoon videos for toddlers that can develop intellectual skills in kids, unlike any conventional teaching method (2). You can choose what is suitable for your little one and how you want to limit their screen time. Let’s take a look at some of the best cartoon videos you can let your toddler watch.
Best Cartoon Videos For Toddlers
It is better if the cartoon shows you select for your toddler are interactive. Want to know some of the best cartoon videos for toddlers that are entertaining and educational simultaneously? Here is a list of the top cartoon toddler-friendly cartoon shows:
1. Alphablocks
Source: BBC iPlayer
This animated show is an excellent way of introducing your little ones to words (3). In Alphablocks, the characters hail from a fictional world called Alphaland and represent one alphabet each. They go on adventures that are related to word concepts. The episodes are very short-spanned. Therefore, it is one of the best cartoon videos for toddlers if you plan on introducing them to quality cartoon content in limited, supervised doses.
2. Numberblocks
Source: BBC iPlayer
Numberblocks is a cartoon show suitable for preschoolers. This show helps build mathematical concepts in kids, and its central idea is very close to Alphablocks (4). Here, the characters made from blocks live on the fictional planet Numberland, and their adventures are related to mathematical concepts that introduce your toddler to numbers than this BAFTA Award (in the “Learning” category 2017) nominated show.
3. Teletubbies
Source: Teletubbies
Teletubbies can be your first choice if you want a cartoon show to keep your kid active and develop their initial expression. Four different-colored Teletubbies have uniquely shaped antennas, and their TV tummies show footage of actual toddlers. These characters’ speech and antics match the toddlers (5). Andrew Davenport was a speech therapist, former school teacher, and this show’s writer. Thus, the show plays a crucial role in developing toddlers’ speech abilities while encouraging them and making them confident concerning their communication skills (6).
4. Hey Duggee
Source: BBC iPlayer
Hey Dugge, designed for preschool kids between two and five years, revolves around a lovely dog who runs a ‘squirrel club’. The primary goal of this show is to involve the kids in fun clubhouse activities and keep them active. Besides this, the Emmy-winner series also teaches the kid to make friends, work in a team, and accept the uniqueness of individuals (7).
5. Sesame Street
Source: Sesame Workshop
Do you know why this show is so popular? It is the first kid’s television show based on a curriculum. A curious toddler will enjoy the fun characters of the show, teaching them colors, numbers, manners, and many other such things. It is one of the top cartoon videos for toddlers that teaches your toddler the basics before they attend school (8).
6. Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood
Source: Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood
Both kids and adults equally love this show, and you might still find adults who once wanted to be Mr. Roger’s neighbor! Fred Rogers hosts this American show where he talks about multiple topics, shares thoughts about experiments and crafts, and gives factory tours. The show allows the kids to explore places they otherwise would not have a chance to visit. The episodes are half an hour long. The best part is that the show embeds positivity among toddlers, making them feel good about who they are. Moreover, this show helped children learn about care, kindness, and empathy (9). It is a perfect show that you can enjoy with your toddler.
7. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Source: Fred Rogers Productions
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is the animated descendant of the show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. The show was curated for toddlers of four years or younger to teach them different things and develop social skills (10).
8. Super Why
Source: PBS Kids
An interactive adventure series can be an exciting way for the kids to learn! The series “Ask Why!” is curated to develop social skills in toddlers. The adventure begins as the episode introduces problems that require toddler-level social skills to solve (11). The interactive format makes it engaging, and the kids are encouraged to take part in those challenges, promoting the critical thinking they must have to learn from books.
9. Blue’s Clues
Source: Blue’s Clues Facebook
If you are one of the parents worried about promoting social and problem-solving skills in your kid, the Blue’s Clues can be a great aid (12). The interactive format with the color and texture makes the show engaging for toddlers. Moreover, this is also the first preschool show that includes American Sign Language. After intensive research, this show hit the screen to build self-esteem in preschoolers while entertaining them.
10. Octonauts
Source: Octonauts
Developing a friendly attitude and empathy is crucial for a toddler getting ready to attend primary school in a year or two. Octonauts is an excellent cartoon video for toddlers that teaches them essential social skills like accepting diversity within the friends’ group and in teams (13). As your toddler sees the diverse underwater world and how the animals stay there, it feeds their curious mind, too.
11. Bubble Guppies
Source: NickALive!
Want a show that will make your toddler fall in love with learning? Then the answer is Bubble Guppies. This series revolves around the characters living in Bubbletucky who go to their school together. They learn about various topics through humor, catchy music, and dances. Moreover, the vibrant and colorful scenes are very captivating for toddlers.
12. WordWorld
Source: WordWorld Facebook
If, as a parent, communication skill development in toddlers is one of your concerns, then this Emmy Award-winner show is at your rescue. The colorful world of Duck and his friends will take your kid to a different world in no time. This show develops the concept of pre-reading while exposing the little one to the sounds associated with each letter and word. It stimulates their reading abilities while developing their interest in word making (14).
13. Doc McStuffins
Source: Hotstar
While showing empathy towards others is a great skill for your tiny tot, learning self-care is equally important. Doc McStuffins revolves around a young girl named Doc who talks with her stuffed toys and repairs broken toys. This show is one of the cartoon videos for toddlers that can teach them to care for themselves, be kind, and care for others (15).
14. Timmy Time
Source: Timmy Time
The spin-off of Shaun the Sheep focuses on Shaun’s nephew, Timmy’s time in Kindergarten. There is no dialogue. Thus, it is super easy to understand for a toddler who has just started to learn new words. The show is entertaining as your little one will love to see the naughty ship and his actions with his friends. But, it is also helpful in developing imagination, friendship, and social skills in your preschooler.
15. Peep And The Big Wide World
Source: Peep And The Big Wide World Facebook
Your tiny tots will get curious if they meet Peep and his friends Chirp and Quack. Peep and the Big Wide World has simple figures with bright colors that smoothly attract toddlers. The half-hour episodes teach simple science and math to preschoolers.
Most cartoon videos for toddlers prepare these kids to face the world and help them with fundamental skills before they start school. Less than an hour of screen time may teach your tiny tots to express themselves better and interact with others. As a parent, you can also sit and watch cartoon shows with your toddler. Don’t worry. You won’t be bored and might get a wholesome chance to revisit those golden childhood days!
FAQ’s
1. Can a 1-Year-Old Watch Cartoons?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time for one-year-olds ( any toddler below 18 months) as they cannot learn anything from watching TV. While they cannot understand the cartoons, the images and noises might confuse them.
2. Is TV Bad For a 2-Year-Old?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time for toddlers under 18-months-old because the brain growth in a kid takes place during the first three years of their life. For a 2-year-old, the recommended time by AAP is less than an hour a day. However, the parents should gradually introduce them to toddler-friendly quality content under supervision.
3. How Much TV Should a 2-Year-Old Watch?
As per the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the screen time of a 2-year-old should be less than an hour per day.
4. Can Too Much TV Cause Speech Delay?
According to a recent study published in the American Medical Association Pediatrics Edition, too much TV can cause delays in fine motor skills and personal and social skills development, including communication skills. Moreover, too much TV can cause speech delay at ages 2 through 4 years.
References
- Pappas, S. (2022, June 30). What do we really know about kids and screens? Monitor on Psychology, 51(3). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/cover-kids-screens – https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/cover-kids-screens
- Ganiyu Akanbi, Yusuf & Usman Tunde, Saadu. (2024). EFFECT OF LOCAL ANIMATED CARTOON ON PRE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN INTELLECTUAL SKILL ACQUISITION IN KWARA STATE. I &II. 354-361. – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383033557_EFFECT_OF_LOCAL_ANIMATED_CARTOON_ON_PREPRIMARY_SCHOOL_CHILDREN_INTELLECTUAL_SKILL_ACQUISITION_IN_KWARA_STATE
- Prix Jeunesse International 2010 – https://izi.br.de/english/research/Expert_discussions/Up_to_6_Non-Fiction/Alphablocks.pdf
- Odiri E., Onoshakpokaiye. (2023). Early Childhood Mathematics: an Insight into Strategies for Developing Young Children Mathematical Skills. Mathematics Education Journal. 7. 16-30. 10.22219/mej.v7i1.24534. – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368902680_Early_Childhood_Mathematics_an_Insight_into_Strategies_for_Developing_Young_Children_Mathematical_Skills
- Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism – https://bhekisisa.org/article/2020-01-13-peppa-pig-teletubbies-takalani-sesame-street-inside-the-bizarre-science-behind-your-childs-favourite-show/
- DHX Worldwide Limited – https://us.teletubbies.com/about-teletubbies/developmental-benefits/
- BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/articles/zk4k8hv
- Melissa S. Kearney & Phillip B. Levine, Working Paper 21229, DOI 10.3386/w21229, Issue Date June 2015, Revision Date September 2016 – https://www.nber.org/papers/w21229
- Harris, Kathleen. (2019). Fred Rogers and children’s spirituality: valuing the uniqueness of others and caring for others. International Journal of Children’s Spirituality. 24. 1-15. 10.1080/1364436X.2019.1619526. – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333379381_Fred_Rogers_and_children’s_spirituality_valuing_the_uniqueness_of_others_and_caring_for_others
- Heidi Toth, Texas Tech University – https://www.depts.ttu.edu/research/discoveries/fall-2016/daniel-tiger.html
- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) – https://www.pbs.org/parents/shows/super-why/about
- Anderson, D. R., Bryant, J., Wilder, A., Santomero, A., Williams, M., & Crawley, A. M. (2000). Researching Blue’s Clues: Viewing Behavior and Impact. Media Psychology, 2(2), 179–194. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/S1532785XMEP0202_4
- Kachi Things – https://kachithings.com/blogs/whatourexpertshavetosay/what-learning-can-kids-get-from-the-octonauts
- WordWorld – https://www.wordworld.com/about/word-world
- World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-and-disney-junior-s-doc-mcstuffins-team-up-to-remind-young-kids-to-wash-their-hands
