Toddler H, TV and Teletubbies

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If you had told me 20 years ago* I’d be letting my daughter watch Teletubbies, never-mind recommending it, or writing a post about her love of Teletubbies, I’d have laughed in your face. I’d have said ‘yeah, right’. However, if you’d have also told me that I’d be a stay at home mummy, or I’d be typing this on a thing that looked like a book, never-mind that?we can watch yesterday’s TV at the touch of a button, and?that we don’t need go to the library to learn something new, I’m not sure if have believed you. I grew up in a time where, yes, we had a computer, but we were a rarity.

So back to the Teletubbies. My daughter is 18 months old, and doesn’t really like to nap. Since around 10/11 months she’s often gone few days a week without a nap. Obviously, that’s not enough downtime for an active non-stop cheeky monkey. So, I resorted to a bit of sit on the sofa TV time as some down time. By the way, don’t get me wrong, the TV would be on CBeebies in the background too!

Anyway, I stuck away from Teletubbies for a long time, I had that image of craziness and funny ‘aliens’ making odd noises from the 90’s in my head. I was too old for the Teletubbies originally and so had never watched?it. Anyway, we got in the habit of watching Hey Duggee (her 1st Birthday theme), the sedate muted tones of Sarah and Duck (what a bonkers world they live in!), and the occasional Baby Jake (yes, she’d squeal at Jake!). With time we also ended up watching the occasional Teletubbies and I was shocked, H was transfixed, she giggled, laughed and pointed. She ‘got it’.

As I could see how transfixed she was, how she pointed at the screen and laughed, I began watching myself. And, I realised Teletubbies isn’t what I thought it was: they do speak! What really struck me though was it could actually be teaching H?important skills. Skills which hubby and I try to teach her. Crucially Teletubbies uses the same techniques we use.

1. Keywords

Hubby and I don’t always say full sentences when trying to teach H words we say ‘Look, bird. Bird.’ We repeat the word we’re trying to teach, we point, and the Teletubbies do exactly the same. There is repetition throughout.

2. Dancing

Movement is great for little ones and H loves to dance and run about. She also loves pointing at the screen (another sign it’s teaching her something new or something she recognises)

3. Real life

There are real life sections which transfix H. They’re also short and repeated within each episode which is brilliant for little ones.

4. Kindness, cuddles and manners

The Teletubbies are genuinely nice! They are polite and say hello and bye. It’s great when programmes reinforce skills we try to teach.

5. Colours

It’s bright and colourful to capture both little ones and the occasional adult! I think they’ve chosen brilliant colours – perfect for helping teach H her colours. I’m always saying to H “look at the red car”, “can you hand me the blue ball, please?” and likewise with Teletubbies teaching counting as they each appear on screen, they also teach colours.

See! There are lots of reasons we love the Teletubbies (despite my original misconceptions)!

Definitely check out the Teletubbies if you haven’t, and their website: www.Teletubbies.com

Lynne x

* Teletubbies actually came out 19 years ago (in 1997)

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