The TV shows your kids SHOULD watch this summer to make screen time valuable & keep them out of dangerous algorithms

The Irish Sun

4 days ago

HOLIDAYS and day trips always come at a cost - even a trip to the local park for an ice cream can be hard on the pocket these days!
So it's easy to see why, according to a survey, a third of parents will be relying on screens to keep their children entertained during the summer break.
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CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate has revealed her must-watch picks for kids this summer
Credit: Getty
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Lisa's son enjoyed watching live nature webcams
Credit: SUPPLIED
As well as being mostly free - some apps do incur a cost - allowing
And with so many educational channels, TV shows and apps now available for school children, parents can let their children watch guilt-free.
CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate believes there's plenty of good quality content available for children online which is both 'enriching and engaging'.
Speaking to The Sun, she says: 'I don't have an issue with screens - I don't have an issue with content that's on television or
"I think it's more just making sure that parents have some sort of element of control over the choices they're making, so the children are not just submitting to an algorithm and letting their attention span not be their own anymore.
I don't have an issue with screens - I don't have an issue with content that's on television or some of the content on YouTube
Maddie Moate
CBeebies presenter
'For example, if you're in a scrollable situation, like you would be on YouTube shorts, where you just
'I'd always be more in favour of a targeted viewing experience just to make sure the content they are watching is exciting, but enriching and educational at the same time.'
Maddie's tips for streamlining content is to download the YouTube Kids' app and select the channels you only want them to see.
She explains: 'You can basically decide the channels that they'll have access to, so the child will still be able to scroll through videos like it's a video player app, except little do they know, they might actually only have access to 10 channels but with 600 videos from creators that you have pre-approved as a parent or a guardian.'
And if it's games your children prefer to play, Maddie has done her research when it comes to apps, too.
'I know that YouTube isn't everybody's cup of tea as not everyone wants their kids watching short form videos so there are some apps out there I think are great,' she says.
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'For example, Sirlinkalot is an app that helps children with spelling, but it does it by picking out stories in words to help them remember the spelling.
'There is also an app called Sensory Worlds, which I think you do need to subscribe to, but is interactive and shows your children different sensory spaces like the forest floor or a rock pool or a garden, and they can clear away the leaves or tap the flowers.
'I should say I don't think apps are a replacement for the real world, because I think the best thing you can do is to get outside with children, but if you have a rainy day or you just need some calm time, this app is great.
'There is also Kahoot numbers by Dragonbox, which is packed full of maths games, and really fun for primary school aged children.'
With the help of my sons James, nine, and Leo, six, we put some of Maddie's recommendations to the test - and there was one clear winner....
MC Grammar
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MC Grammar has gone viral for helping kids learn English and maths through raps
Credit: Instagram/@mrmcgrammar
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Lisa's son watching MC Grammar and learning maths in a fun way
Credit: SUPPLIED
The channel's star is teacher
His channel is full of raps to famous books from David Walliams to Julia Donaldson. But he doesn't just stop at English - he also has raps for the times tables which was perfect for Leo who has been starting to learn his.
Kids Invent Stuff
Headed by engineer and inventor Ruth Amos, Kids Invent Stuff asks children to send in drawings of inventions for Ruth and her team to make.
They've created doorbells that explode popcorn, a bike that feeds you cake and a six-foot unicorn that poops jelly babies - basically all the things kids love to watch! James and Leo really enjoyed this channel and were totally engaged in the science behind the inventions. I'm sure they'll be sending in their own soon!
Maddie Moate
Maddie's own channel is packed full of engaging and educational content for all ages. Leo loved watching the video on how astronauts poo in space, while James loved the video on exploding cucumbers!
Maddie's second channel, Let's Go Live, with co-host Greg Foot is packed full of easy science activities you can do at home with things bought from the supermarket, so we had more fun putting the boys' learning into practice!
Cosmic Kids Yoga
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Cosmic Kids Yoga helps kids get active in a fun way
Credit: supplied
James and Leo were already familiar with this channel - also available as an app - as their primary school uses it in early years education.
Led by yoga instructor Jaime, children can practise a variety of popular yoga moves but to children's songs and stories, such as Room on the Broom or Moana. Leo enjoyed some of the more recent videos, like the Yoga Safari series.
We also discovered Jaime has a 'Peace Out' series which introduces mindfulness to children aged 5 upwards - perfect for calming overactive boys!
How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays
IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place...
BATTLING BOREDOM:
Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun.
'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time.
'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.'
SCREEN OVERLOAD:
It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen.
Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules.
'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game.
'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit.
'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.'
TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS:
You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime.
Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace.
'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours.
'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.'
SCHEDULING CONFLICT:
Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children.
Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of Helperbees.co.uk says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken.
'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea.
'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood.
'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.'
EXCESS ENERGY:
Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier.
Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather.
'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun.
'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.'
Explore Live Web Cams
This one was a huge hit in our house - even I sat glued to some of the videos!
This website gives you a window into the big wide world. From an aquarium in Monterey Bay to an Elephant Park in Tembe, South Africa, there are live cameras dotted all over the globe. They even have a camera located in a puppy play room and a kitten rescue centre.
The beauty of this website is it's live, so you never know what will cross your screen. If you are lucky you might see something super special! James loved flicking through each of the channels to see what he could find!