toddler advice please

Annobel my DGD loved Baby Einstein video's and CD's, I bought several of them on ebay and have them ready for DGD no 2 when she is ready for them. I used to look after my DGD 3 days a week and I don't think I would have survived with the TV. We did all sorts of other things too of course and she's now a very bright little girl so I don't think its done her any harm. Some of the children' s programmes are really good.

I agree that TV in moderation is fine. My 2 year old GD watches for about ten minutes and then walks off to do something else, the exception being Mr Tumble because she loves to join in. Eldest GD loves stories and one of her favourites is Narnia, not the modern film but the BBC TV series from the 80s. She also enjoys the Just William stories and Heidi. I can't remember reading these books at six.

If parents are being precious about TV, it is worth making the point that relaxing with the child in front of a programme or two for a while, not only does him/her no harm, but gives you time to draw breath for further more active pursuits.

Oh I loved Mr Tumble harrigran. Just re-read my post, should read ''I don't think I would have survived without the TV.

fillygumbo 'Baby Einstein' is amazing and our wee grandson adores it. He also loves his xylophone ['though it can get a bit much after a time!] Play dough and child-size plastic cutters and cleaned-out yogurt pots for putting rolled up bits in and any copy-cat game such as...help Nana to clean the house. Wee man has his own cloths and brush and pan. He's also very happy to play for some time with his little wooden train set, complete with bridges and such. Another game that amuses, is to fill a shopping bag with some toys, pretend to get on the bus [the sofa] and at the end of the journey, give the contents of the bag to pretend people. Annobel our wee man would be a very happy bunny if he could watch JCBs for hours on end.

If there is no TV in the house where you'll be looking after your GC, filly, have you got a laptop on which you could play children's programme DVDs? Could be a practical solution for the resting times that both you and the child need.

One of my Christmas highlights was littlest fella (19 months) snuggling up in bed with Grandpa and me watching Thomas the Tank Engine on Boxing Day morning. He was also riveted by The Gruffalo which is one of his favourite bedtime books and which DD and SIL know by heart!
TV has its place and can be enjoyed by big people as well as little ones.

Thomas is a huge draw for little boys - can't speak for girls. The models can be found in toyshops and fit some varieties of train tracks. This makes the programmes all the more fun to watch.

My girls all liked their Brio train set very much. Some of it has gone away to augment GS's little set at home but some of it has stayed with us for when he's here. DD3 especially loved her battery-powered engine that ran on the Brio tracks.

bagitha Yes! Wee man's train set is Brio. I love the sound of the battery powered engine. May see if one is for sale on eBay

I think I got one on eBay for one of my GSs. It might have been remote controlled too.