Tot TV Watch

As the posts accumulate around here it dawned on me that it may start getting a little difficult to find things. The posts are pretty well categorized, but if you are looking for a review of a particular TV show you still have to search through a pretty long list to find it. To make your search a little easier, I have created a “Tot TV Reviews” page that lists all of the shows previously reviewed in alphabetical order. This list does not include news items or other posts, only reviews of specific shows. You can get to the list by clicking on the link at the bottom of the “About Me” box in the sidebar. I hope that this makes things a little easier to find for everyone.

By the way, if you are looking for a review that isn’t listed, it just means that I haven’t gotten around to reviewing it yet. Please leave a comment or use the “Contact Me” link to to the right to send me an e-mail and I would be more than happy to review the show you are looking for.

Tot TV Reviews, children’s television, reviews

It has been one long busy weekend, so I’m going to leave you with a video today while I try to catch up.

TheBigDaddyD has created a series of 80’s cartoon intros on YouTube. Being a child of the 80’s I remember watching many of these cartoons, but there are some I’ve never even heard of. Take a look for yourself and see how many you remember.

If you want more, go check out Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5. Just make sure you have plenty of time to waste before you get started.

YouTube, cartoons, 80’s

It has been a big week of announcements for Nickelodeon and today I have yet another one. On Monday, March 12th, Nick Jr. will premiere a brand new episode of Dora The Explorer. The new episode, entitled “Star Mountain”, will teach viewers shapes and colors in Spanish. It will also introduce Dora’s new friends, the Tres Estrellas Exploradoras (Three Explorer Stars), that will travel along with her and Boots on their journey.

Here is the full description of the episode from Nick Jr.:

In “Star Mountain,” Dora’s grandmother makes her a necklace to match her favorite bracelet, but it isn’t long before Swiper flings it all the way to the top of Star Mountain. To get to the peak, Dora and Boots must race up 15 star steps and climb up a diamond to get to the giant star. Along their journey, Dora and Boots team up with the Tres Estrellas Exploradoras (Three Explorer Stars), made up of Glowy, the bright light star, Tool Star, the star with the cool gadgets, and Saltador, the jumping star. Together the group battle fog, ice, wind, snow and steer clear of the rising green goo. Dora and Boots ask the preschoolers at home to help them find Dora’s necklace by teaching them numbers and colors in Spanish.

Be sure to tune it on March 12th at 9:00 a.m. (ET/PT). If you miss the first showing, you can catch it again on Friday, March 16th at 9:00 a.m. (ET/PT). You can also catch a two-minute sneak peak at Nick Jr. Video online beginning on March 9th.

*Image Source: Nickelodeon
Provided by Newscom

Dora the Explorer, Nick Jr., premiere, Star Mountain, Tres Estrellas Exploradoras

Advertising during children’s television programming has always been up for debate. As a parent, I tend to avoid commercials all together when possible, choosing to either fast forward through them or watch networks like Noggin that don’t show commercials during kids’ shows. Regardless of how much I try to avoid those advertisements, I’m still very aware of the power characters like Elmo or Dora have when they are placed on a product.

In recent years, advertisers have started displaying web site addresses during commercials but recent restrictions from the FCC may stop some of that from happening, at least during children’s programming. Effective January 2nd, 2007, the FCC passed new federal rules stating that during shows geared toward children age 12 and under, cable and broadcast operators may not display addresses for Web sites that contain any links to commercial content.

Advertising during children’s television programming was previously limited by the Children’s Television Act. It limits every hour of children’s programming to 10.5 minutes of advertising during weekends and 12 minutes on weekdays.

While there is much resistance from the advertising community, there seems to be compliance so far. However, there have already been several loopholes pointed out and several child advocacy groups are already pushing for even more restrictions.

What do you think about these new restrictions? Have you noticed the lack of web addresses?

Source: Kids’ TV faces new Net restrictions

web, net restrictions, kids’ tv, television, children, Children’s Television Act, FCC, advertising

Sunday night is the Super Bowl and most of the TVs in America will be tuned in to the big game. So, what do you do when your toddler starts screaming for some cartoons? Jennifer at Parenting Toddlers has some great ideas on how to include the kids in the game time festivities. Or, if your child couldn’t care less about those guys throwing a ball around on TV, I have a couple of other Super Bowl alternatives you might want to try. Of course they do require access to a second TV and possibly a DVD player or VCR.

The animated movie Open Season was released on DVD Tuesday and might be a fun treat for your kids while you enjoy the game. Boog and Elliot’s adventures are sure to keep little ones entertained. Plus, if any of the adults get tired of watching the big game they might enjoy a bit of the movie too.

Cartoon Network is running a Scooby Doo marathon through the afternoon and evening on Super Bowl Sunday (check local listings for times). Among the episodes airing will be “Aloha, Scooby Doo”, “Scooby Doo and the Cyber Chase”, “Scooby Doo and the Legend of the Vampire”, “Scooby Doo and the Alien Invaders”, “Scooby Doo in Where’s My Mummy?”, and “Scooby Doo: Pirates Ahoy”. If your kids love Scooby and his pals this might just help keep them calm while the adults go crazy in the other room.

If neither of those alternatives fit your child’s taste, you can always run up to your local video store and rent some Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, or a myriad of other cartoons on DVD or VHS for your child to enjoy while you enjoy the game. Just be sure to make it a special time for them too. If they have something special to watch, you’ll have a better chance of actually watching the game.

Super Bowl, Super Bowl Alternatives, Scooby Doo, Open Season

Recently I’ve been re-evaluating the amount of TV that my son watches on a daily basis. Not only does he watch some of his favorite shows at home, he also has access to a TV at day care. If I had to guess, I would say that he watches 1-2 hours a day at home plus what he watches at day care when I’m not with him. During the weekends we generally have the TV on all day rotating through various episodes of Jack’s Big Music Show, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Blue’s Clues, The Upside Down Show, and Backyardigans. He isn’t totally focused on the TV the whole time it is on, but it is there when he chooses to watch it.

I have read many articles on the affects of TV viewing in toddlers and the general consensus is that TV is bad for children but that there can be some educational benefits. Kidshealth.org has a great article on their site entitled, “How TV Affects Your Child.” The experts seem to have mixed opinions on whether television should be banned completely or whether a moderate amount of educational programming is actually good for kids. The American Association of Pediatrics recommends no TV at all for children under two years of age and a limit of one to two hours of total media time for children two and up.

I’m not really sure where I stand on this. I’m definitely not for banning all TV, but I do wonder if setting some limits would be beneficial. While I know that my son has learned a lot from the shows he watches, he also can’t walk into the family room without begging for a “show” and pointing to the TV.

I’m curious to find out where you all stand on this issue. I’m guessing that if you read this site you are a fan of television but how much is too much? Do you set limits or let your children watch whenever they want?

TV, television, kids health, American Association of Pediatrics, parenting, education

Remember when I wrote about Steve Burns having a video on Jack’s Big Music Show? Well, the time has almost arrived. Along with The Laurie Berkner Band’s song “Sneaks”, the Steve Burns and Steven Drozd video, “Hog the Ground,” will air on the February 2nd episode, Ground Hog Day. This episode may also be of special interest to parents because Jon Stewart from The Daily Show will be guest starring.

I have been pretty impressed with the new season so far. If nothing else, it has been really nice to hear some new songs. This episode looks like it will be a fun one for kids and will also teach them a little about the tradition of Ground Hog Day. If your kids won’t be home to watch, it is definitely one to set the TiVo or DVR for.

Jack’s Big Music Show, Noggin, Steve Burns, Blue’s Clues, Steven Drozd, Flaming Lips, Laurie Berkner, Jon Stewart, Daily Show, Hog the Ground, Ground Hog Day

I’m back in town after a week long vacation in beautiful Hawaii. I would like to apologize for the lack of posting over the last week, but I just couldn’t manage to find the time to sit down and write about TV when there was so much sun to soak up. I do have to say that after this week I am very thankful that someone had the bright idea to start putting TV shows on dvds. I’m not sure how we would have made it through the week without my son’s Blue’s Clues dvds.

I’ll be back to regular posting this week, so be sure to stop back by for more news and reviews of your kids’ favorite shows. Also, don’t forget about the comment contest. You still have until January 31st to leave your comments and win some cash!

The Replacements is a new animated comedy series the Disney channel. The series is based on orphans Riley and Todd (sister and brother) who can replace any adult in their life with another one by simply making a call to the Fleemco Company. With the help of Fleemco, they ordered up two new parents, Dick Daring, a famous American stuntman, and Agent K, a British super spy. Dick Daring and Agent K have no prior parenting experience, but they do the best with what they have which leads to some interesting situations. In each episode Riley and Todd use Fleemco to replace the adults that are causing them problems with new ones that are more helpful.

The Replacements, Disney, Todd, Riley, Fleemco, Dick Daring, Agent K

Disney’s Little Einsteins premieres their second season on January 13th. From the creators of the famous Baby Einstein videos, Little Einsteins is aimed at 3-6 year olds. Characters Leo, June, Annie and Quincy explore the world by traveling around in Rocket, their musical flying ship. As the characters travel around the world, kids are introduced to famous locations, fine works of art, and music. Each character holds a special talent and by working together they teach children the meaning of teamwork. Interaction is encouraged by asking the audience to clap, pat their legs, sing along, and imitate other gestures.

Little Einsteins, Disney

Hannah Montana lives a double life as a pre-teen pop star and as a normal kid named Miley Stewart. Miley spends her days hanging out with her friends while trying to keep her pop star status as Hannah Montana a secret. She just moved from Tennessee to Malibu and enjoys watching her new friend Oliver (Mitchel Musso) obsess over Hannah. Lilly (Emily Osment) is Miley’s best friend and is privy to her big secret. While she enjoys being a famous pop star, what Miley really wants most is to just lead a normal teenage life.

Miley is played by Miley Cyrus, the daughter of real life country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Billy Ray also has a part in the show playing, Miley’s dad and Hannah Montana’s manager. Hannah Montana is directed by former teen star Fred Savage.

Hannah Montana, Disney, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Fred Savage, Mitchel Musso, Emily Osment

If you read this site regularly, you know that I generally cover shows aimed at the toddler set (because that’s what is usually on in my home) but this week I have decided to focus on some of the “tween” shows instead. I recently read an article by Mike Duffy of the Detroit Free Press that discussed how Disney is closing in on Nickelodeon in tween (ages 9-14) viewers. Nickelodeon still has quite an edge, but the Disney Channel is certainly increasing the level of competition. Between the made made for TV movies like High School Musical and shows like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or Hannah Montana, Disney really seems to be catering to this age group.

I’ve got a few ideas of where to start, but I would love to know what shows your tweens are watching. Are there any in particular that I should make sure and watch?

tweens, Disney, Nickelodeon

I feel like I am always so behind after the holidays. There always seems to be so much to keep up with and my brain just doesn’t hold up. That’s why I wasn’t at all surprised this morning to realize that I missed the PBS special that I wanted to watch lastnight.

Sesame Workshop has created a new special for military families regarding how to keep families connected when a parent is deployed. Even though neither my husband or I are in the military, many of our family members are. This special, hosted by Cuba Gooding, Jr. is primarily addressed to parents and focuses on how to cope with the anxiety and fears that the family may have before, during, and after deployment.

The project was speared on by the overwhelming reaction to Sesame Workshop’s recent educational outreach program produced in partnership with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. titled, “Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment”. The bilingual DVD and print package is available for free. A free copy can be requested here or you can download both the child and parent video on your computer.

Sesame Workshop, PBS, Cuba Gooding Jr., military, deployment

Merry Christmas! Wishing you all of the best during this holiday season.

Christmas is now less than a week away and many families will be traveling to spend the holiday with family and loved ones. If you have small children with you, time spent in others’ homes can be a little stressful. Fortunately, the internet is here to help you entertain those little ones if you get in a pinch. If they are anything like my son, an episode of Blue’s Clues, Backyardigans, or Dora the Explorer will calm them right down. Even if you don’t have access to cable or satellite tv, if you can find a pc and a broadband connection, you can tune in to their favorite shows on nickjr.com.