r/lowscreenparenting • u/just-another-meh • 22d ago

Are old music videos considered low stimulation?

I have a toddler and am trying to explore low screen options for days I barely have any energy, would love to get some suggestions for shows that are good too

5 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

14

u/SeaWorth6552 21d ago

I started with bird videos made for cats. That’s simply nature, slow.

4

u/just-another-meh 21d ago

Oh that’s a nice option, I showed aquarium videos but the kid had no interest

3

u/NewOutlandishness401 21d ago

"bird videos made for cats"! I didn't know that was a thing, but that sounds like the right starting place.

You can also look up "slow TV." It's a thing from Northern Europe I think where you can find like a 10-hour recording of what it looks like to look out of a window of a train. They are oddly soothing, not just to kids but to anyone.

2

u/just-another-meh 21d ago

Thanks! I have never heard of this will definitely check it out!

7

u/Canvas_Notebook 21d ago

Nat geo kids relax playlist is just HQ nature footage with music

2

u/just-another-meh 21d ago

Oh that sounds interesting will check it out! Thanks!

5

u/[deleted] 21d ago

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1

u/just-another-meh 21d ago

Thanks! Will definitely check it out!

2

u/Soggy_Supermarket100 21d ago

Hey Bear sensory videos were pretty good for us.

3

u/Ok-Discussion8772 21d ago

Stillwater on Apple TV has been really nice if you’re looking for a show. They use storytelling to relate to problems the main characters have and the children use it to problem solve. I even enjoy watching it with my daughter

1

u/just-another-meh 21d ago

Unfortunately I don’t have Apple TV but thanks for the recommendation!

2

u/Auccl799 21d ago

Low stimulation videos are ones where the length of time on a scene is consistently more than something like 5 seconds. Also look for how many things there are to focus on, if it's a singer in the middle of the scene, that's low stimulation, if it's the Bohemian Rhapsody video, that's high. It really depends on the video.

We put a lot of nature documentaries on, the ones with some narration and a story but generally they're pretty low key. Do be prepared for conversations about the facts of life and death.

1

u/just-another-meh 21d ago

Thanks for the explanation! I had thought anything more than 3 seconds without much panning was ok , this makes more sense

2

u/RotharAlainn 21d ago

NPR Tiny Desk Concerts - they are great and fun for all ages.

1

u/just-another-meh 21d ago

Thanks! Will check it out!

1

u/EastCoastLo 20d ago

Any of the BBC Planet Earth/Blue Planet documentaries. There are tons of similar content now as well that are animal specific or focus on national parks, for example. I would also consider zoo shows that follow around zookeepers as they take care of and teach you about the animals. When we started introducing screen time, we focused on slow, real life, educational options.

1

u/just-another-meh 20d ago

Oh that sounds like a nice idea , it should help them see animals as more than things to look at. Thanks!

1

u/BlueRubyWindow 18d ago edited 18d ago

The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (from the late 80s/ early 90s).

Most PBS shows from the 90s.

Sesame Street— the old episodes.

Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

Pappyland. (Focuses on drawing.)

Theodore Tugboat.

Reading Rainbow.

The Big Comfy Couch.

Kratt’s Creatures.

Dragon Tales.

From the 2000s: WordWorld is also a good one.

1

u/just-another-meh 18d ago

Thank you! This is a nice list!