It certainly isn’t breaking news that screen time in the toddler years is something that should be avoided as much as possible. In an interesting twist, a recent study exploring the relationship between toddler language development and toddler screen time found that it’s not necessarily the amount of time spent watching videos that is the issue. Rather, the reason why the toddler is watching the video is the important part of predicting the impact on expressive language.
The study looked at children between 17 and 30 months of age and had caregivers document how much time their children spent on video/TV, video games, video chat, and e-books. Caregivers also noted the reason why screentime was being used whether that was for calming/babysitting benefits, for educational purposes, or to engage with family members. These factors were then compared to the children’s vocabulary and length using two or more words together.
Results show that children between the ages of 17 and 30 months spend an average of nearly two hours per day watching videos. This is a 100 percent increase from prior estimates gathered before the COVID pandemic. “Children exposed to videos by caregivers for their calming or ‘babysitting’ benefits tended to use phrases and sentences with fewer words,” as explained on smu.edu. “However, the negative impact on language skills was mitigated when videos were used for educational purposes or to foster social connections—such as through video chats with family members.”
“In those first couple years of life, language is one of the core components of development that we know media can impact,” said Sarah Kucker, assistant professor of psychology in SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences, to sciencedaily.com. “There’s less research focused on toddlers using digital media than older ages, which is why we’re trying to understand better how digital media affects this age group and what type of screen time is beneficial and what is not.”
In addition, once kids are well into their toddler years, there are television shows like Miss Rachel, Peppa Pig, and Daniel Tiger that actually aid in language development.
The takeaway: We all just need to do our best to limit screen time as we can, understanding that it is not always possible.
My husband and I had our first baby 6 months ago, meaning our transformation into lovestruck zombies is nearly complete. We’re obsessed with our little squish—otherwise known as Nathan—and I have officially become that parent who won’t stop sniffing her kid. (I’m sorry, but where does that sweet baby smell come from and why has no one found a way to bottle it up?!)
Of course, we’re not the only ones who can’t get enough of N. As first-time grandparents, my mother and father-in-law, who live a few hours away, don’t want to miss one minute of the “action.” That word is in quotes because, at this point, there is minimal movement to report. And yet! What happened today? Where are the pics? Send more videos! The ping! ping! ping! of text messages was relentless. “Sleep when your baby sleeps,” they say. But these people clearly did not have a Nana who demanded CNN-style breaking news coverage of their grandchild.
I love my in-laws—I really do. I’m beyond grateful for their enthusiasm, but also I need. some. space. I don’t necessarily have the energy for endless back-and-forths while navigating the eat, play, sleep, repeat loop that is my current existence. The fewer asks of me at this point, the better (for all of us!).
Thankfully, Tinybeans offered a brilliant solution: I set up the app to automatically send Nana emails with the latest baby photos her son and I take. She might not be tech-savvy, but she’s a pro at checking her inbox. Now every time Nathan flashes a gummy grin or fakes us out like he’s gonna crawl but nope—maybe next time, suckers!—Nana gets to witness it all going down.
As for my father-in-law, he’s a little more tech-savvy, but whatever it is has to be extremely user-friendly. Before Tinybeans, whenever he wanted to ask about N, it meant a loooonng phone call (or voicemail I didn’t have time to listen to). Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy our conversations. PopPop knows how to tell a good story. But that reminiscing sometimes crosses over into lengthy TED Talk territory. Tinybeans came to the rescue again by allowing him to comment on photos to his heart’s content without always picking up the phone. Plus, it’s fun for us to sit down collapse on the couch and read his incredible notes. We love that Nathan will be able to look back on the comments left by his grandparents one day.
Side note: There’s also the fact that the app pulls double duty as a digital memory book. We’ve used it to document milestones like his weight after doctor’s appointments, an Olympics-worthy front-to-back roll, and his first smile that was probably (maybe?) not gas. Not only has it been super easy to log these fun moments, but doing so helps us be more “in the moment” wherever we are and whoever we’re with—including grandparents IRL. It’s cool looking back to see how far N has come, appreciating every step of his journey and not missing a beat.
Honestly, Tinybeans didn’t just save my sanity; it strengthened our family bonds. Our time with Nana and PopPop is spent making new memories instead of frantically providing updates. And my hubs and I can savor (almost) every sleep-deprived moment with our baby while sharing our joy with the people we love most.
Kayla Sullivan’s news anchor reports capture all the ups and downs of parenting, and this one about maternity leave is no exception
Anyone who’s taken maternity leave in the U.S. knows it’s no picnic—but also knows that not everyone gets that. You might already recognize the viral news anchor mom from TikTok: Kayla Sullivan, a toddler mom who uses hilarious “news reports” to capture all the ups, downs, and in-betweens of parenting. She’s back with another video you won’t want to miss, and this time, it’s all about the chaos of maternity leave.
“Breaking news: you just gave birth, and even though you have six to 12 weeks of some of the hardest work possible, people will ask if you enjoyed your ‘time off,'” Sullivan says in her video, where she reports from her car using a toddler teething toy as a microphone. “I can confirm maternity leave is not a vacation. You’re 100 percent sleep deprived, drowning in baby laundry and dishes, and you’re living on a few quick bites of reheated casseroles or takeout.”
She continues, describing one of the absolute nightmares that new moms often have to deal with: “This just in: someone dropped by to see the baby without asking first. Authorities are working to determine why people think that’s OK.”
But as Sullivan notes, maternity leave, for all its hard parts, can also be absolutely wonderful.
“In other news, while you’re rocking your daily messy bun, have no time or energy to shower, and are dealing with extreme post-pregnancy hormones, you’re also falling so deeply and completely in love with your new baby,” she says. “You don’t even care that there’s spit up in your hair! Sources say you’ll melt with every little baby coo all while obsessing over the number of times they went poo.”
Sullivan, a former reporter and PR pro, has built a following on TikTok for her humorous videos where she strikes the perfect news anchor voice and uses household items as microphones. She’s gone viral for reporting from the middle of her toddler’s tantrum, from outside the bedroom where the kiddo is “detained” for nap time, and from the aftermath of a trip to Grandma’s house, where her child was fed nothing but sugar and indulgence (and it shows).
These indoor projects for kids range from science experiments to creative activities that the whole family will love
Are you on the hunt for boredom busters? Invite imagination and keep the creativity flowing with these exciting activities that’ll keep them busy for more than a few minutes. If you’re looking for other ideas to fill your free time, check out these easy indoor games for kids, artsy how-to’s, super-science experiments, and other pint-sized projects for kids.
Grow Stalactites
Allison Sutcliffe
It takes a few days to complete this grow-at-home science experiment from Science Kids at Home. With a few simple household materials, your budding scientists can track the growth of their own stalactites when you set up this easy project. Check back often to see how things are growing.
Make art a daily part of your creative kid’s playtime routine. Challenge them to draw, paint, or collage a new project each day based on different themes or a favorite artist’s style. When the collection is ready, hang it gallery-style on the walls, and invite the rest of the family to tour the artsy exhibit.
Set a weekly theme, and choose one book per day. Hold a daily story time for the kiddos, reading the playful picks interactively. After each day’s book session, ask your child questions about the story, draw pics of the characters or turn the narratives into pretend plays.
Indoor games for kids take on a whole new meaning when you set up brackets, create teams, and hold an all-out gaming tournament. Choose a few of your fam’s favorite games and get playing! Hold the tournament over a few days, crowning a winner at the end of the week.
Snap a pic each day to document everything your family does. Your budding photographer can take pics of their art activities, indoor game play, and everything else the family does. Print the pictures, paste them onto card stock paper, and bind the book with colorful yarn or ribbons.
Bring your summer camp days home when you make paper by hand. Rachelle at Tinkerlab walks you through the process of this two-day-long project. It definitely takes planning (and a couple of special supplies), but the finished product is perfect for writing very special letters or drawing an extra special picture for mom or dad.
Forget about a ready-made game. Your child’s creativity will kick into high gear when they make their own board game. Amy at Mama Scouts has the scoop on how you can encourage this multi-day activity for big kids. Play on!
Extra, extra! A lot of crazy things happen to your family each week: from funny things the kids say to good grades and weekend outings. During the week, have your kid take pictures, record events, and land big interviews so she can publish your family’s breaking news stories at the end of the week.
If you haven’t caught on to rock painting yet, this is a perfect time. Kids start by painting colorful rocks of their own design. Then you hide them for others to find (after sealing them properly). Then, set out on a hunt to find painted rocks others have left behind. Get the full scoop here.
Code Away
iStock
Promote a little active screen time with your future programmers and ask them to complete 20 minutes of coding each day. Everything you need to know is mapped out online! The best part? A sweet certificate your tiny techie can earn when she’s learned it all. Gold stars all around!
Don’t stop at just one LEGO creation. Go big with a village your child can build over two, three, or more days. Start with a theme, like a mountain ski park or downtown waterfront high rises, and encourage your master builder to expand from there. Start construction any day of the week and keep it going until the last brick is laid.
Whether they’re leaning toward a classic like The Day the Crayons Quit, or want to go with a meatier choice, like something from the Captain Underpants oeuvre or a Judy Moody selection, challenge your kids to turn their best story ever into a play. Write out dialogue, plan simple scenes, put together set pieces, and choose costumes that make the story come to life. Set a practice schedule for a daily review and choose a debut date. When the play is ready for an audience, gather your child’s favorite stuffed animal friends for a day of drama.
Turns out the trick to kid-friendly cookies is to spread the project out over three days: Spend the first day making the dough. Roll, cut, and bake your silly shapes on day two. Then, pop the cookies into an airtight container (add a piece of bread to keep them soft) so they’re ready to ice and decorate on day three.
Create with Cardboard
iStock
Score a mountain of materials from the recycle pile! Gather all the cardboard you can and help your crafty kids to build skyscrapers, campers, and rocket ships to take them to the moon. Use these ideas to inspire your little builders.
With Borax, salt, and a half-dozen eggs, your curious kids can grow their own crystals over the course of a few days (five works best.). Rachelle at Tinkerlab has all you need to know to set up this experiment.
Murals aren’t exclusive to the outdoor setting. Get creative and craft one on a piece of butcher paper or a plain sheet of gift wrap. Choose a theme, pick materials, and experiment with different processes such as collage, drawing, or painting. Hang it on the playroom wall, and add to it daily!
Whether the kiddos run up and down the stairs, around the living room, or just jog in place, they can get in plenty of indoor exercises. Encourage the kids to “race” for 5-10 minutes each day until they've knocked out 3.1 miles. Follow their progress on your fitness tracker, make a run-time graph, and compare how many minutes/miles they run by the day, week, or month. On your mark, get set, and go!
Somewhere a little out of the way set up a puzzle table for your kids. Then break out that 500-piecer you’ve been saving for a rainy day. Working on a giant jigsaw puzzle is a simple way to engage kids for the long haul because they’re in charge of just how much time they give to it each day.
Hint: Set out simpler puzzles at your table for tots and preschoolers. That way, they can work their way through this fun activity alongside everyone else.
We love this make-and-play project. All it takes is felt, scissors, and a few creative design ideas to make the felt pieces your kids can use on a giant blank board. Get great ideas and the know-how details at Fun at Home with Kids.
News anchors have a knack for making most everything sound exciting, and that even includes a day-in-the-life of babies! In a now-viral video, Jeannette Reyes and Robert Burton are using their own experience of manning the news desk to whip up the “Baby News Network.”
Reyes, a morning anchor at WTTG-TV in Washington, D.C., kicks off the video to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” by greeting her daughter. “Good morning, Bella. It is 9:52. Hopefully you slept well; certainly no one else did, but we’re not going to point any fingers.”
Mom passes it off to Burton, a news anchor with ABC 7News in Washington, D.C. to report on the weather. “Will we get to enjoy it?” he asks. “Well, if spit ups, feedings and diaper changes don’t get in the way, we just might be able to make it out of here before midnight.”
But wait! There’s breaking news, as reported by Reyes. “An explosion at the diaper station. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and authorities tell us they do have a suspect in custody. Unfortunately, that suspect is not speaking at the moment, but they have linked her to hundreds of other explosions.”
Posting this on what was Bella’s due date. She’s now 3 wks old. She must’ve known her parents are news anchors because she came without warning while @Robert7News was on air & just an hr before I went on— talk about breaking news 😅 But we couldn’t be happier to be her parents 💕 pic.twitter.com/d1Xqwuu4Nw
“Is she considered a flight risk?” asks Burton. “No, look at her” replies Reyes with an exasperated look on her face (been there!). The video wraps up with mom reciting “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in her telltale anchor news voice before the pair signs off from the Baby News Network.
Since Reyes and Burton made the video earlier this week, they and baby Bella are making waves not only in the news community but on TikTok as well. The video has been viewed almost five million times, has over one million likes and 16k comments.
No matter how old your kids are, threatening or upsetting news can affect them emotionally. Many can feel worried, frightened, angry, or even guilty. And these anxious feelings can last long after the news event is over. So what can you do as a parent to help your kids deal with all this information? Here are a few tips for talking to kids about tragedy in the news.
Addressing News and Current Events: Tips for All Kids
Consider your own reactions. Your kids will look to the way you handle the news to determine their own approach. If you stay calm and rational, they will, too.
Take action. Depending on the issue and kids’ ages, families can find ways to help those affected by the news. Kids can write postcards to politicians expressing their opinions; families can attend meetings or protests; kids can help assemble care packages or donate a portion of their allowance to a rescue/humanitarian effort. Check out websites that help kids do good.
Tips for Kids under 7
Keep the news away. Turn off the TV and radio news at the top of the hour and half hour. Read the newspaper out of range of young eyes that can be frightened by the pictures (kids may respond strongly to pictures of other kids in jeopardy). Preschool kids don’t need to see or hear about something that will only scare them silly, especially because they can easily confuse facts with fantasies or fears.
Stress that your family is safe. At this age, kids are most concerned with your safety and separation from you. Try not to minimize or discount their concerns and fears, but reassure them by explaining all the protective measures that exist to keep them safe. If the news event happened far away, you can use the distance to reassure kids. For kids who live in areas where crime and violence is a very real threat, any news account of violence may trigger extra fear. If that happens, share a few age-appropriate tips for staying and feeling safe (being with an adult, keeping away from any police activity).
Be together. Though it’s important to listen and not belittle their fears, distraction and physical comfort can go a long way. Snuggling up and watching something cheery or doing something fun together may be more effective than logical explanations about probabilities.
Tips for Kids 8–12
Carefully consider your child’s maturity and temperament. Many kids can handle a discussion of threatening events, but if your kids tend toward the sensitive side, be sure to keep them away from the TV news; repetitive images and stories can make dangers appear greater, more prevalent, and closer to home.
Be available for questions and conversation. At this age, many kids will see the morality of events in stark black-and-white terms and are in the process of developing their moral beliefs. You may have to explain the basics of prejudice, bias, and civil and religious strife. But be careful about making generalizations, since kids will take what you say to the bank. This is a good time to ask them what they know, since they’ll probably have gotten their information from friends, and you may have to correct facts.
Talk about — and filter — news coverage. You might explain that even news programs compete for viewers, which sometimes affects content decisions. If you let your kids use the Internet, go online with them. Some of the pictures posted are simply grisly. Monitor where your kids are going, and set your URLs to open to non-news-based portals.
Tips for Teens
Check in. Since, in many instances, teens will have absorbed the news independently of you, talking with them can offer great insights into their developing politics and their senses of justice and morality. It will also help you get a sense of what they already know or have learned about the situation from their own social networks. It will also give you the opportunity to throw your own insights into the mix (just don’t dismiss theirs, since that will shut down the conversation immediately).
Let teens express themselves. Many teens will feel passionately about events and may even personalize them if someone they know has been directly affected. They’ll also probably be aware that their own lives could be affected by violence. Try to address their concerns without dismissing or minimizing them. If you disagree with media portrayals, explain why so your teens can separate the mediums through which they absorb news from the messages conveyed.
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.
Most working moms agree: your career and your role as a mom aren’t always seamless. But for one journalist—also a toddler mom—her training for covering breaking news and crisis situations is the voice we all need to channel.
You’ll find Kayla Sullivan, a former TV reporter and PR professional, broadcasting from outside her son’s room where he’s “being detained until after nap time” for “holding her hostage at The Olive Garden,” in her bathroom where she demonstrates the proper way to scream into a pillow during a “toddler tornado” and also how to differentiate a “toddler watch” (demands are clear, stakes are high, but preparation can avert a crisis) from a “toddler warning” (you’re past the point of preparation and in survival mode).
Sullivan started making the videos using her reporter’s voice first as part of a TikTok challenge, but then it turned into a way for her to grapple with the ups and downs of parenting, as well as the constant judgement of your skills as a parent by everyone else. Girl. We hear you. “My son has thrown tantrums in public and it’s really embarrassing,” Sullivan told TODAY Parents. “I was channeling a bunch of different incidents that have happened to me in public and trying to relate to other parents.”
In addition to crisis coverage of her toddler’s behavior, she’s also posted hilarious eyewitness accounts from the perspectives of different “bystanders,” voiced—naturally—by her.
This Fri., Nov. 12 subscribers can finally snag access to new premieres from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and other brands for international markets. What are we most excited about? Finally being able to stream Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings!
Other premieres include:
Jungle Cruise will be available to all subscribers
New Disney+ Original movie Home Sweet Home Alone
All-new original series of shorts, Olaf Presents
Streaming debut of shorts including Frozen Fever, Feast , Paperman and Get A Horse!
Animated short film Ciao Alberto
A new short from The Simpsons
Five episodes from season 2 of The World According to Jeff Goldblum
A special on the origins and legacy Boba Fett
Marvel Cinematic Universe special
First, from today until Sun. Nov. 14, new and eligible returning subscribers can grab one month of Disney+ for $1.99 (then $7.99/mo.) so one needs to miss out on all the fun.
photo: Courtesy of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution
Disney+ subscribers with a valid ticket or pass and theme park reservation on Nov. 12 will have access to special benefits across Disney theme parks, like entering the parks at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort 30 minutes before the parks open and complimentary Disney PhotoPass photo downloads taken at select locations.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, shopDisney is offering free shipping in the U.S. and Europe from Nov. 12 to Nov. 14 to subscribers of Disney+, in addition to new customizable products from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars. Finally, Disney Publishing Worldwide is offering select $0.99 eBooks today through Nov. 17.
Set your calendar for Nov. 12 to catch all the new streaming content!
Breaking news!! Santa Clara county has been invaded by over 70 dinosaurs and they are hungry! We advise all curious and inquisitive young paleontologists who desire a safe view of these beasts to proceed cautiously down to Santa Clara County Fairgrounds but to stay within their vehicles at all times. Read on for an exclusive first look at these ferocious creatures then make sure to reserve a time slot (don’t forget the promo code!) for your chance to come face-to-face with these behemoths.
Jurassic Quest is a drive-thru event complete with a digital audio tour. Prior to arrival, guests are texted a link which, when opened on a cellular device, streams one of three different narrated stories through YouTube or SoundCloud. The kid-friendly ones recommended by the staff are The Adventures of Nick & Marty and Safari Sarah’s Big Day. Signs and placards along the route give instructions of when to start, pause and resume the audio tour.
The dinosaurs range from small Velociraptors to an 80 foot long Spinosaurus along with a nursery of baby dinosaurs sure to delight the family. The ever popular Tyrannosaurus Rex and his herbivore friends Stegosaurus and Triceratops are also among the notable dinos. Prepare for the Jaws theme song to play in your head at the sight of the impressive Megadolon and be glad it’s a prehistoric creature!
Meticulous detailing of each dinosaur was made in consultation with leading paleontologists to ensure that every detail is replicated—be it feathers, fur or scales. The dinosaurs move in convincing fashion with heads and tails swinging, eyes blinking and roar intermittently so make sure to have your windows open for the full effect.
We absolutely love that each dinosaur is accompanied by a sign that states not only its name but the correct pronunciation (say “Pachycephalosaurus” three times in a row) — this is particularly helpful in the education of parents whose dinosaur species knowledge might be lacking. We also love that this experience is safe, contact-free and a fun way to entertain the kids and we think you will, too!
Good to know:
• There is an enticing souvenir booth you must drive through to exit so it may help to prepare the kids beforehand (read: prevent meltdowns) or consider purchasing a Quest pack to save money
• A free, safari-style photo with families in their vehicles and a dino as a backdrop is included at the end of the tour
• The tour lasts about one hour, porta potties are on site
Getting there: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Lot A
441 Tully Rd (entrance off 7th Ave)
Breaking news: the town of Eureka doesn’t have a Bigfoot. The Northern California town just issued a statement to inform visitors and residents that despite news websites distributing photos of a “primate-like” form in the 70-acre public preserve that is Sequoia Park, there is no Sasquatch roaming the forest.
In no small coincidence, the sighting allegedly occurred in the area where a canopy walk is being constructed. The photos supposedly show a Bigfoot-esque being on a platform 50 feet off the ground.
photo: iStock
The structure, part of the city’s Redwood Sky Walk which will open in the spring to connect the forest with the city’s zoo, will link tree platforms and is more than 100 feet high. Miles Slattery, city manager for the City of Eureka has encouraged visitors to “please avoid the area during the final construction phase to reduce the impacts on the park and zoo.”
Despite being a large park, Slattery also states that “none of our staff has reported anything.” The surrounding area of Willow Creek is no stranger to Sasquatch “sightings.” Known as the Bigfoot capital of the world, the term “Bigfoot” was coined there in the ’50s.
