Sneak peek: Are low stimulation shows really better for young children? A deep dive into the research.
If you spend any time viewing parenting content on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve probably seen people talking about low-stimulation or “slow TV” for toddlers— gentle shows with calm colors, simple storylines, and no fast cuts. The idea is appealing: it harkens back to the type of TV many of us grew up with. The idea is that low-stimulation shows make it easy for young children to follow the story and hopefully not be overstimulated.
Honestly, I love many of the shows that are usually listed—Little Bear, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. But like most things in parenting, the true answer is a little more nuanced.
Let’s dig a little deeper into what actual research says, not just about slow TV, but also about all the other issues surrounding media use among young children. As with all my posts, this isn’t about making you feel guilty or preaching unrealistic expectations. The goal is always to help you make informed decisions based on science and research, not social media chatter.
What we know (and don’t know) about low stimulation shows
Here’s the truth: there isn’t much direct research yet on low stimulation shows for kids. “Slow TV” is more of a parenting trend than a term used in developmental science.
But we do have strong research in areas that help us understand why slow shows feel appealing.
Research on fast-paced shows
Probably the most well-known study in this area comes from psychologist Angeline Lillard and her team, published in Pediatrics in 2011. I wrote about that one way back then, too. It became known as the infamous “SpongeBob study” since that was the show that children in the study watched. They found that just 9 minutes of this fast-paced, fantastical cartoon led to temporary drops in executive function in 4-year-olds (things like self-control, working memory, and flexible thinking). Kids who watched a slower-paced or educational show didn’t show the same dip.
Now, I’m no fan of SpongeBob, but this research is quite limited. The impact on executive functioning skills was short-term. The study didn’t look at long-term impacts or even follow children in a longitudinal study. This doesn’t mean fast shows cause long-term damage, but it supports the idea that pacing matters in the moment.
What this means for low stimulation shows or “slow TV”
Even though scientists haven’t specifically studied “slow TV for toddlers” as a category, the logic is pretty reasonable: If fast pace can overstimulate, then calmer, slower-paced shows may avoid those immediate negative effects.
But at this point, we can’t say that for sure. We just don’t have the research to show that connection. Low stimulations shows may be a better choice, but not a magic solution.
Related reading: Screen Time Recommendations for Children {by age}
Research you need to know about children’s media
To really understand how screens may affect children, we need to look beyond just pacing. Research points to several other important factors:
Co-viewing is key
A major research project looked at dozens of studies on screens and language development. One of the biggest takeaways was:
What your child watches matters—but who is watching with them matters even more.
When you co-view and talk about what’s happening, children show stronger language and learning outcomes. Co-viewing turns a screen into a shared experience instead of passive entertainment.
I know what you’re thinking: I let my child watch a show so I can get a break or complete a task without my child interrupting. Co-viewing makes this much harder. I get it, and I think this is the challenge for most parents. This is where the research and real-life conflict a bit—see the tips I offer at the end of this article for more insight.
Download Emotion Camp
Heavy screen time is problematic
Large studies consistently show that introducing screen time at earlier ages and for longer lengths of time seems to impact language development, as well as learning and social skills.
Here’s the deal: young children don’t learn well from screen media. I know it seems like even toddlers can imitate actions they see on screen. But when it comes to learning language, how to interact with others, and manage their emotions, young children need real-life human interactions in order to learn those skills. Too much screen time at early ages may interrupt this learning simply because it displaces human interaction.
Background TV: an often-overlooked problem
As adults, we can usually filter out background noise, like the TV playing in the background while we are doing another task. This is much harder for young children. Even when kids aren’t watching, background TV disrupts their play, interrupts their attention during play, and reduces the back-and-forth conversations that build vocabulary.
Studies also show that when a TV is on in the background, parents and children interact differently. When the TV was off, parents interacted with children 68% of the time, but only 54% of the time with the television on. Why does this matter? These interactions with parents (or other caregivers) are crucial learning moments. This is where the developmental magic happens—when children hear new vocabulary, parents tune into their child, and they learn new skills.
Some researchers have called background TV the “secondhand smoke” of the modern age.
Ideas for managing screen use in children
Low stimulation shows may be a better choice—but not the only factor to consider
Choosing slower shows for toddlers is a reasonable idea. They’re possibly easier to process and possibly less likely to impact the short-term attention dips seen with fast-paced content.
Just remember that slow pacing alone doesn’t automatically make a show beneficial.
Whenever possible, talk about the show together
- Even if you can’t sit with your child through the entire show, tune in enough to be able to ask questions or guide their thinking to the next level.
- Bring up new words that were said in the show that your child may not know, “What’s that animal? Is that a hippopotamus?”
- Discuss how the characters might be feeling, “She looks sad. What happened to her?” This type of conversation helps children learn about emotions and others’ perspectives.
- Use questions to help prompt your child’s higher-level thinking: “What do you think will happen next?
Say no to background TV
If your child is playing, eating, or interacting with you, keep the TV off in the background.
Background TV is only a distraction, and if no one is watching deliberately, it’s pointless to have it on at all.
Make screen time intentional, not a default
Screen time can be a part of a child’s day if done intentionally and purposefully. If you need a few minutes to prep dinner or do a chore around the house, a little TV time is okay. Being mindful of how much your child is watching and what types of shows are the key elements.
Low stimulation shows could be a good choice for entertainment, but remember the real magic for your child’s development comes from you: your voice, your conversation, your presence, and your relationship.
Here are a few low stimulation shows for children:
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