Believe it or not, Miss G got her very own iPad for her fourth birthday. Not from us of course, but from her Uncle, Auntie, and cousins who absolutely spoil her rotten. At the time, we were about to make our second move to the Middle East and though we’re quite conservative when it comes to media and screen time, my brother and sister-in-law thought that it would be perfect for on the plane {hello, 36 hour journey!} and for keeping in touch once on the other side of the world. I’ll admit it… Although I think I was sort of in a state of shock when she opened it {an iPad for a four year old?!}, they were totally right. It’s been so nice for Miss G to have her own device {especially when travelling} and having it hasn’t meant that she’s become a little screen-addicted zombie either. ☺
Upon receiving it, we simply put one ‘rule’ into play… That there’s one short period of iPad time each day. The amount of time varies day by day, but is usually between 10 and 25 minutes and when that’s done, the iPad simply goes away. No muss, no fuss.
Now I will say that over time, the content of that daily iPad session has changed. In the beginning, it consisted mostly of nursery rhyme videos and engaging and cleverly presented games, which I really didn’t mind. Then we somehow reached the egg / toy unveiling video stage… {Ugh. Please tell me that you know what I’m talking about and that I’m not the only mom with a child who would happily watch someone open chocolate eggs and plastic toys all day long.} It’s not that the videos themselves are terrible, but I guess I just don’t ‘get’ them. That and I definitely do think they create a want for all kinds of things we really don’t need.
But here’s the thing… Miss G will quite happily watch other things if I suggest them – I just need to know what to suggest!
So. A while back, I started hearing some of my mama friends talk about The Adventures of Napkin Man! on Kids CBC – a program intended to help little ones deal with big emotions… The premise alone is perfect for my highly emotional and sensitive girl who has been through one huge transition after the next these past several months, but when I heard about the four new interactive episodes, I knew they’d be perfect for Miss G’s daily screen time. Each show features embedded activities that allow little ones to engage with episodes, making them part video, part game, which really is the best of both worlds in Grae’s mind.
The activities vary – some are music based, some involve digital colouring and storytelling, and some are presented as mini challenges – all of which Miss G enjoys thoroughly. When all is said and done, an interactive episode takes up about 15 minutes of time, which I think is perfect – not too much, not too little.
So far, Grae and I have watched ‘Bad Hair Day’ together which focuses on identifying and dealing with the emotion embarrassment. The episode and interactive activities themselves were lovely, but they were also a fantastic jumping off point for a discussion afterwards, which I loved.
As of now, we still have 3 other interactive episodes to explore – ‘Get Well Soon’ which deals with empathy, ‘Fun for One’ which deals with loneliness and feeling left out, and ‘Bye Bye Boogaloo’, which deals with mourning loss. I think what we’ll do is watch them all in the coming week or two, and then go back to certain episodes when particular situations arise, just as I do with books. Never hurts to have more tools in your parenting tool belt, right?
Alright, now for the really fun part! In order to celebrate The Napkin Man’s new interactive episodes, we’re giving away a $100 Visa gift card to one lucky Canadian reader {so sorry non-Canadians!} Entering is easy – just use the form below and we’ll pick a winner at midnight PST on February 29th, 2016.
Readers may enter the contest across several participating blogs, but are only eligible to win once. The winner can expect to receive his or her prize in 4 – 6 weeks. Good luck!!
Disclosure: I am part of The Adventures of Napkin Man Online Influencer Campaign and I receive social peers as a part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions in this post are all my own, of course.
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We’d love to have you!
We’ve never tried napkin man but I’m interested in checking it out. My sweet girl has a lot of big emotions too.
We have not tried napkin man, but after reading this article I am very interested in trying it out with my son!
We are currently in the awful YouTube toy egg phase, so napkin man sounds wonderful for my 3 year old. Will check them out thank you!
We have not tried Napkin Man yet but will be checking it out now!
Jonnie
Love the idea of an interactive Napkin Man episode, we’ve caught it on CBC once or twice and it has always held our attention!
Two of our three children are highly sensitive and easily overwhelmed when watching something. They do not get a lot of screen time, but I found they do best with ‘real’ series, such as ‘bee bright’ on farms, or ‘mighty machines’. I’m always looking for more options like that, if anyone has ideas!
I’ve heard lots of great things recently about Napkin Man. I think my little guy would love it!
I’ve never seen any of these episodes but I think my cousins would enjoy watching the Bad Hair Day episode.
We don’t have cable in our house so we are pretty outta the loop on shows. I’ve heard of Napkin Man, but had no idea it dealt with emotions AND offered interactive episodes. Def will look into it now! Thanks
Yes! My kids love Napkin Man! We have watched Bad Hair Day together. :)
We haven’t tried napkin man yet or even heard of it. Something we will be looking into soon.
Haven’t heard of napkin man until now. We’re always looking for new things to try. :)
This sounds really interesting, never heard of it till now but would check it out, wonder if its good for younger kids too? an almost three year old?
We have not tried the interactive Napkin Man but have enjoyed “regular” episodes in the past:)
Never tried it but will have to check it out!
thanks for this recommendation. have never heard of it until reading your post, but i do agree that those egg videos are the devil in disguise! what it is about watching people open eggs? haha.
My little guy is too young right now but I’ll have to file this away and remember it for when he too has big emotions
Never watched Napkin Man but oh my god it has to be an improvement over those toy opening videos. My 6yo is IN LOVE with the Shopkin versions and I cringe at them every time.
We’ve never checked out napkin man but have been talking lately about a “screen time strategy” for our little guy as he begins to show interest so it’s great to hear what other parents are doing!
We love napkin man in our house! I had no idea there were interactive episodes and we will be checking those out ASAP for my sensitive and spirited little man. I seriously laughed out loud at the comment about the egg opening videos, my hubby stumbled upon them and my son loves watching them… When I saw them my first thought was wtf!? And apparently this guy now makes a living out of them.. Lol. Oh well I suppose there are worse things he could watch. We also try to limit screen time, especially since we find my son has more behavior issues if he watches too much.
Great post! Thanks!
I’m currently pregnant, but would love to try Napkin Man with my little one if it’s still around when he’s the right age to appreciate it. :)
I have 3 kids, 5, 3 and 9 months. My two oldest absolutely love Napkin Man, I can’t wait to try out these episodes. Thanks for posting! :)
I had never heard of Napkin Man but I will check it out. Thanks for the great contest and review.
We haven’t heard of Napkin Man but very excited to introduce it to my 4 year old!
I will find this app for sure. We are french speakers, but I hope the napkin man will help my daughter learn English :)
No not yet just heard about it!
We love Napkin Man! We loved the Bad hair day episode!
Grandaughter told me re The Napkin Man & the Bad Hair Day
We watched the bad hair day too!
Love The Adventures of Napkin Man! One of our favs is Not my Mess.
We haven’t tried the new napkin man apps, but my kids love the previous ones!
did you announce the winner of the visa card yet!?