By Michaela Gordoni
Your kids are learning fast and absorbing everything — well, almost everything.
Sometimes flashy kids’ shows go at a pace that’s a little too fast for them to comprehend. While most young kids’ shows and kids’ YouTube channels out there try to include wholesome and practical values like empathy and problem-solving, many of them still go at a pace that’s too fast for your kiddo’s comprehension, even if they try to engage your child by asking young viewers questions
Even a show like GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE may be too fast-paced for 4-year-olds and under. In the mixed-media series, the characters do a great job of engaging viewers by getting them to think critically and answer questions. However, sometimes the answer comes too fast for little minds to process the question first.
But when you slow down the pace, it gives them more time to comprehend scenarios presented to them.
Shows like MS. RACHEL and DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD mindfully go at a very slow or repetitive pace. The way the characters talk was crafted with toddlers and babies in mind. They may not need to be slowed down depending on your child’s age and ability to comprehend.
“Do you know the way Ms. Rachel talks actually has benefits for learning language? The sing songy way she talks is called parentese and actually helps little ones learn language,” writes speech therapist Brooke Andrews. “Not only does it tell your child to tune in because the language is just for them, but it capitalizes on the same rhythm that children learn language through.”
You can test if your child is grasping things quickly enough to keep up with the speed of a video by asking them questions when a problem arises.
Related: Here’s Why Parents Are Embracing the ‘Slow TV’ Movement
For example, say your 3-year-old is watching the PAW PATROL crew encounter a problem, which happens in every episode. It’s often obvious which pup can help with the particular issue. Ask your child, “Which dog can help with that?” If they’re having trouble finding the answer, slow down the pace to give them more time to think.
YouTube videos especially can be of low quality and too fast-paced for little ones to actively think about the scenarios presented.
Researchers say even adults learn better at slower playback speeds when it comes to new topics. So here’s how to slow down the speed.
On YouTube:
Click on the gear button in the lower right corner of any YouTube video. Select playback speed. There, you can reduce the speed up to 75%.
Unfortunately, YouTube Kids does not have this feature.
On Netflix’s Mobile App:
Netflix’s TV app doesn’t include an option to change viewing pace. But the mobile app does!
On any video in the mobile app, tap the video to make options appear. In the middle bottom of the screen, click the speed option to slow the speed by up to 50%.
On Apple TV’s Mobile App:
The TV app doesn’t include an option to change viewing pace. But the mobile app does!
On the mobile app, if your device is in portrait position, select the three-dot settings menu and select Playback Speed. If it’s in landscape mode, select the clock icon. Then, you can reduce the speed up to 50%, according to Digitaltrends.
Third-Party Apps and Extensions:
Other main streamers like Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ do not have playback speed options. However, there are TV, browser and mobile apps like Prime Video Speeder, Speed Player, SpeedUpTV and others.
If you’re wanting slower, low-stimulatory content for your kids, elementary school teacher Jayme Yannuzzi said parents should look for “shows that don’t have many rapid scene changes (look for ones that change only every 3 to 4 seconds), use more muted colors, have calm music in the background that isn’t playing over characters talking, and feature characters who your child can relate to.”
By slowing down your child’s shows, you’re not just achieving calm screen time. You’re giving them the opportunity to truly understand, connect and learn from what they watch.
Read Next: What Is the ‘Slow TV’ Movement? Everything Parents Need to Know
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