"Having a kid, I knew certain obstacles to expect. I was aware of the sleepless nights, the nap routine drama, and the process of going from milk to solids. But, few things have caused me parental stress quite as much as the topic of screen time.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time until 18 months when toddlers can start to enjoy screen time with a caregiver as long as it’s high quality. For toddlers starting at age 2, they recommend limiting “non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days.”
Typically, this is not a problem for us, as my daughter is in daycare and rarely hits that limit on a weekday. But, as she’s gotten older, I’ve also started focusing less on the timing and more on exactly what she’s watching. If given the choice, she will always gravitate towards a loud, colorful program like Blippi, but I began to wonder if that was really the best use of her screen time. And that’s when I discovered low-stimulating programming.
What is Considered a Low-Stimulation Show?
There has been a big push on social media promoting “low-stimulating” TV shows. But what exactly does that mean? A low-stimulating show is typically considered one that is more soothing than the loud, colorful programming often associated with kid-oriented television.
A low-stimulating TV show is going to have slower pacing, less high color and loud sounds, and more calming storylines and visuals. Along with a simpler storyline, this type of programming also often has an educational aspect with a focus on learning—both for intellectual and emotional development.
The Benefits of Low-Stimulation Shows for Toddlers
With dozens of streaming services and kids’ programming options to choose from, what are the actual benefits of picking a low-stimulating TV series? Well, there are a few to consider.
- Avoiding Overstimulation: Perhaps the biggest is an effort to reduce overstimulation. Any toddler parent can tell you that it’s easy for a kid to get overstimulated, and the bright colors and quick scene changes of most programming can certainly cause a quick meltdown. By contrast, a low-stimulation series can be a gentler experience that balances education with a calmer screen time.
- Encouraging Creativity: With low-stimulation shows, the programming often leaves more “room” for toddlers to focus, process the information, and learn at their own pace. Instead of falling into a trance looking at bright colors and listening to loud sounds, kids will have a space to interact, whether that’s singing along, reacting to the characters in the show, or using their imagination.
- Educational Aspect: While not all low-stimulation programming will teach the ABCs and 123s, the shows for toddlers often come with an educational element in some form. Often that could be educating kids on emotions, whether it’s through a character learning something new or going through a process they may be able to relate to.
While not necessarily a toddler benefit, this toddler parent would also like to share that a low-stimulation show benefits the parents! My world is in constant chaos taking care of a rambunctious kid, so when it comes to screen time, I love to sit with her and watch a show that is less stimulating for both of us and also provides opportunities for me to help learn along with her.
The Best Low-Stimulation Shows for Toddlers
Little Bear
Follow along with Little Bear, a curious and kind young bear. Each episode of the show focuses on themes like friendship and family, encouraging creativity and empathy for younger viewers.
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Franklin
Franklin originally premiered in the ’90s, which means it has been beloved by a handful of generations at this point. The story follows 6-year-old Frankin, a turtle, as well as his friends living in the village of Woodland. The show features frequent appearances by Franklin’s parents, who are often there to lend a helping hand.
Where to Stream It:
Ms. Rachel
There are few toddler parents not familiar with Ms. Rachel, the face of the Songs for Littles YouTube channel. Ms. Rachel is an early childhood educator, creating videos featuring nursery rhymes and educational aspects, such as learning animal sounds, numbers, letters, and counting. Each episode is made up of a compilation of songs and lessons with a heavy focus on speech and learning to say certain words.
Where to Stream It:
Curious George
The show follows the misadventures of a curious monkey named George, as well as his owner, the Man with the Yellow Hat. Based on the popular children’s book series, each episode focuses on George’s curiosity, exploration of the world, and problem-solving.
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Puffin Rock
Puffin Rock is an animated Irish children’s TV series that Americans can find streaming on Netflix. The series follows a young puffin named Oona and her baby brother Baba as they explore their world of Puffin Island located off the Irish coast. The show emphasizes environmental awareness and nature through simple storytelling.
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Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
This animated show is beloved amongst toddlers, featuring Daniel Tiger, an anthropomorphic young tiger, as well as his family and friends. Inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the cartoon takes place in the land of Make Believe and teaches social skills and practical life lessons through catchy songs and relatable stories.
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Arthur
This animated series follows Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark who is a student at Lakewood Elementary School. The show also follows the lives of his family and friends, with episodes that promote empathy and address various social and moral issues.
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The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
There have been quite a few iterations of Winnie the Pooh, but this one from the ’90s is a particularly great series to look at for toddlers. The episodes follow Winnie the Pooh and his friends, with shows highlighting themes of friendship, kindness, and problem-solving.
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Sarah and Duck
This British animated show follows Sarah, a 7-year-old girl, and her best friend, a duck appropriately named Duck. The episodes help kids to learn about friendship and problem-solving, with an emphasis on creative and imaginative thinking.
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Sesame Street
Sesame Street is a classic for a reason, with episodes (and fans) spanning across decades. The show has a diverse cast of puppets and characters who teach fundamental skills and lessons through songs, stories, and sketches.
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Barney
Millennials remember Barney well. The friendly purple dinosaur sings, dances, and goes on adventures along with friends Baby Bop, BJ, Riff, and a cast of kids (which includes current stars like Selena Gomez). The series is targeted at ages 2 to 5, with over 200 episodes to choose from.
Where to Stream It:
Tumble Leaf
Available as a Prime original, Tumble Leaf follows Fig the fox and his best friend Stick in the world of Tumble Leaf. Taking place in a whimsical world, the show encourages imaginative thinking for young kids.
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Is ‘Bluey’ a Low-Stimulation Show?
You may have noticed one big-name TV show missing from the list of low-stimulation shows for toddlers: Bluey. The popular Australian series available on Disney+ follows the life of Bluey, a Blue Heeler puppy living with her mom, dad, and sister. The show has become a worldwide hit for its heartwarming stories, short episodes, and content that appeals to both kids and adults alike.
As far as the criteria for low-stimulating television, Bluey tends to ride the line a bit. It’s certainly calmer programming, but it does have some of the louder sounds and quicker scene changes that would place it outside of being considered a fully low-stimulating show for toddlers when going by those standards.
However, just because it’s technically not “low-stimulating” doesn’t mean there aren’t other benefits that make Bluey a good show to consider for younger kids. With shorter episodes, relatable storylines, and an emphasis on themes of kindness, Bluey is a show that the entire family can enjoy. But if you are looking to keep stimuli to a minimum with screen time, you may want to consider just allowing a short episode or two of the show at a time.
Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is full-time writer, editor, and mom. She lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and one very sassy cat. Along with her work as a contributing writer for The Everymom, her writing has appeared in Well + Good, InStyle, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, and Baby Chick.