toddler watching TV

There are some awesome experiences in life yous'd happily re-alive over and once more. The time your footy team scored the last-minute try to clinch the grand final, that astonishing curry on Newtown's King Street, or that boozy night-out with the lads (now, sadly, the best role of 10 years agone).

On the list of 'things yous'd happily experience time and fourth dimension again', watching kids movies ranks only marginally higher than a drinkable with Kevin Spacey.

On a contempo long-haul return flight, for example, my four-year-old discovered The Boss Infant. Xviii – aye, eighteen – viewings after we arrived back on habitation soil, and since and then he'south watched information technology some other x times.

"Would yous similar to lookout something else?" we asked with increasing desperation. "No cheers, The Dominate Baby please!"

And, just for clarity: "I love The Dominate Baby."

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Whether it's The Boss Baby (which is actually pretty practiced … first time circular) or Peppa Pig's Australian Holiday (which isn't), the repeat watching of particular movies or TV shows is a scenario that's common to nearly every parent. Every bit is the accompanying levels of frustration (ranging from a deflated "Oh, not again" to "If I have to watch that movie again I'll f*cking scream!") depending on what your child's become addicted to.

For my son, every viewing is more enjoyable than the final. For me, information technology's a form of animated torture. Funny, that.

Repetition is the best way to learn

Since we discovered The Boss Babe, the motion-picture show'southward been a regular topic of conversation. Different aspects of the story are mentioned and discussed in (relative) depth.

It's usually along the lines of "Dad, why did Dominate Infant nearly become a dummy up his bum?" rather than an insightful dissection of the intricacies of the plot, simply notwithstanding it's a good conversation to have.

Just why? From the day they arrive on world, kids are learning. And repetition is the best style for them to learn and master new things. Exercise makes perfect? Damn direct. A 2011 study demonstrated that kids learn improve when something is read over and over to them again, and repetition is a cardinal component of all learning, for adults besides.

In the case of movies and Tv set shows, depending on the type of evidence they're obsessed with, they could exist trying to go a greater understanding of the plot ("Dad, why does Boss Baby have a phone?"), perfect dance moves ("Dad, can you lot indicate your fingers and do The Twist?") or acquire the words to songs ("Dad, listen: Let it go, let information technology get.")

I will if you will…

One time they've developed a greater understanding of a skill they want to keep practising information technology. When they feel able they'll begin sharing information technology to show you that they've begun to master information technology. And then they'll keep watching. And watching. And watching.

One Aussie Netflix viewer watched Republic of madagascar 3: Europe'south Well-nigh Wanted 352 times in 2017. (Although nosotros are only bold information technology was a child. It could've been Ben Stiller.)

Y'all'll notice that the more they watch a particular movie they will increasingly pre-empt what's going to happen. They dear doing this. They're not competing for spoiler-alert champion of the year, but demonstrating that they've 'got this'.

And it's non just things on Television they get obsessed by.

Choosing the same book x nights in a row isn't uncommon, nor is doing the same jigsaw, playing the same games or conveying out the aforementioned office-playing scenarios. The same reasoning applies. Practice makes perfect.

Watch it with them (even on the 25th viewing)

While hanging out with your kids on the burrow is a practiced (if low-impact) bonding experience, it'due south tempting to leave them in front of the TV to enjoy their favourite show (for the umpteenth fourth dimension) themselves, leaving you some fourth dimension to do well … anything else.

Unfortunately, your presence while they're watching a film or programme is important for their development. Research showed that kids larn more from watching Tv set when their parents are present rather than alone.

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You existence there increases the perceived importance of what they're watching, and encourages them to take more in. So you've got to stick with it.

If y'all're actually at your wit's cease with Thomas the Tank Engine or Peppa Grunter, read a book or do some work on your laptop, but remain present.

Just get in early on when the pick is on. It's a given your kid's going to become obsessed with some book or movie, and then introduce them to ones that they'll learn from, or you'll enjoy watching many times over like Toy Story or to a much lesser extent Cars.

And then just one question. At what age is The Godfather deemed kid-friendly?