Everything these days is about glamour. The shine and the excitement. How colorful and musical something is. How fast and loud it is. We need to constantly have our attention held. To be amused and occupied. Our minds given no opportunity to wander or stray. Every corner of the task at hand has to be captivating in some shape or form. 

Even children’s television shows. 

Growing up, we had classic low-stimulating kids’ shows, such as Little Bear or Peppa Pig. Slow pace, slow music, slow action. Even slow dialogue and expressions. Everything was slow. Our brains, still growing and learning how to function as new people in the world, can take in information only so fast. Television shows and channels like PBS knew what we needed and provided appropriate entertainment for our age group. Colors were muted so as not to overwhelm us. Characters spoke one at a time, making the words clear and allowing us to absorb and understand what was said before moving on to the next line of conversation. 

Music began after the words, and was instrumental and tranquil, and came to an end once a character had something to say; no overlapping of the sounds to overheat our young minds. We were growing, and we had to grow slowly. 

The characters’ voices were soft and gentle, and the pacing of each episode was steady to allow us to comprehend what was going on fully before moving on to the next. There was meaning behind every creation: friendship, family, problem-solving, emotional regulation, handling big events, numbers and letters, social skills. 

We learned as we watched how to be good people and decent kids. 

The new shows that are coming out currently, like CoComelon and Blippi, have gained a great amount of traction with younger generations and kids now. Gone are the days of low-stim kids’ shows, and enter media that is overwhelming on all fronts. 

Too Fast and Furious Equals Bad

When children watch overstimulating television shows, it affects their brains negatively. The adoption of fast-paced action and editing, the constant bright and flashing colors on the screen, and the multiple sounds incorporated in each scene have left unfavorable impacts on toddlers’ mind development. 

We didn’t grow up with a screen being so easily accessible. But as iPads and televisions become increasingly popular, production companies are cranking out shows and entertainment to keep up. They advertise their creations as flashy and fun to attract views and maintain an audience. And kids will, undoubtedly, be enticed. 

But it’s not about what kids want. It’s about what they need. Early childhood, specifically until the age of five, is the most crucial time period of brain development. 90 percent of the brain is formed, and one million neural connections are created every second. What kids are exposed to during that time can influence how their brain is on a seriously deep level. Sure, newer shows can be charming and have a certain allure, what with all the music and lighting. But overstimulating childrens’ shows have been proven to cause shortened attention spans, very high rates of irritation for lower-age demographics, and addiction-like symptoms to screens, leading to more frequent tantrums when being taken away. The overlapping dialogue and music can wire the brain to need constant sound and stimulation, not being able to achieve peace and serenity in the mind. Swift scene changes and action shots can influence children and decrease their ability to do slower-paced activities that require more focus, such as reading, academic work, and independent play.  

When they see multiple things happening simultaneously, with loud background sounds and characters all talking at once, peace and unhurried entertainment or activities are uncomfortable for them and their mind. To them, they are not being stimulated as they need to be. Their brains are missing the necessary attention they so desire. Once such a form of media and entertainment consumption becomes customary to them, they become addicted, leading to tantrums and high irritability when they are forced to go without. 

Overloaded, Overheated, Overwhelmed, Over this

Hyperactivity in a toddler is possibly every parent’s biggest fear. Toddlers are already active and are learning about their bodies. They’re exploring what they can do, moving around in new ways, and getting active. 

Once overstimulating influences enter the mix, there is no telling what they can do. Low-stim kids’ shows were meant to act as soothing agents for children. PBS honed in on educational shows, such as the ‘Wild Kratts,’ and ‘The Magic School Bus,’ to amuse kids. Shows like ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ helped with emotional regulation, something that is new and can be scary for kids still learning their feelings. The calm pacing and aspects of older shows, such as those, ensured that kids’ minds didn’t intake too much at once, and were as unagitated as possible. They gave meaning to kids’ entertainment. 

Current overstimulating kids’ shows have the potential to decrease cognitive abilities in kids and impact their executive function abilities as well. Their memory experiences the consequences of what they are consuming, hindering their ability to recall information long-term. The bombardment of visual and audio stimulation means that nothing sticks; it goes in one ear and out the other ear. Kids become stressed out, unable to comprehend what is going on, but knowing that they need regular access to high sounds and sights. It behaves like a drug, producing unsatisfiable cravings for excitement always, never-ending action, and animation. The withdrawal is aggressive and restless when the source is removed. 

How to Fix it?

When children are exposed to high-action, fast-paced media that constantly overstimulates their minds for a prolonged period of time, it’ll be difficult to train them and their minds to be able to engage in slower media. But it’s possible. 

Removing screens for as long as necessary and easing them into more physical forms of play and entertainment can help them rewire their brains and give them control over their own fun. Screens should not be the default, and cleansing toddlers of them can be arduous, but it is necessary.

Getting your kids a range of Tuttle Twins books allows them to learn and ask questions in an age-appropriate way. These books also encourage dinner table conversations, getting the whole family involved.

Gingerly introducing low-stim kids’ shows into their routine, finding slow-paced media that has purpose, teaching them lessons, and educating them can help repair their relationship with on-screen entertainment and heal their minds.