You’ve purchased your son or daughter everything they’ll need: a new set of classroom-worthy threads, new shoes, and a shiny new backpack, and you’ve made sure to include a few extra pencils and a healthy snack for good measure. If you’re still deliberating over back to school outfit, you still have a little time to prepare!
But what you probably aren’t prepared for is the crying and screaming and jealous wails from your toddler as they watch their older sibling head out the door for their first day of school. If I think about it from their point of view, I would be pretty darn jealous too.
Back to School
Imagine standing on the sidelines and watch my older siblings try on fun outfits at the store, shop for a new backpack, and seemingly have all of the attention usually reserved for them be wholeheartedly diverted to those old enough to go to school; it’s just not fair!
There isn’t anything you can do to change their age- and chances are in a few years they’ll be wishing they could go back to being a stay-at-home toddler- but being schooled doesn’t have to be solely for those who are old enough to attend.
Since its incarnation, The Walt Disney Company has stood behind their core values of imagination and storytelling, and as the brand’s reach continues to grow, there are more opportunities now than ever before to teach your youngsters letters, numbers, colors, and all of the basics they will need to make their official first day in the classroom one for the record books!
Disney Junior
If you haven’t already, it’s time to introduce your little one to the wonderful and educational world of Disney Junior. The expansive spinoff of the Disney Channel debuted in 2012 with original programming. Disney utilizes different animation styles that subconsciously introduce different design mediums- like Sophia the First vs. Jake and the Neverland Pirates.
The shows are focused on capturing the attention of toddlers through colors and loveable characters while the plots of individual episodes feature lessons in counting, colors, and so much more. Through reinforced themes, children will be two steps ahead of their classmates when they finally do hit the classroom. Did you know that in every episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse the same counting theme is reinforced? There are so many educational shows to discover; here is a list of our favorites:
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Sophia the First
Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Mickey and the Roadster Racers
Choo Choo Soul
Doc McStuffins
Disney Publishing Worldwide
There is nothing wrong with relying on a little TV time to do some of the teaching for you, but nothing beats sitting down with your child and cracking the binding on a fresh storybook! Before I went to school, a perfect day for me looked something like this: breakfast, a little art project, some TV time, and story time all before my parents returned from work.
The life of a toddler is a busy one, but the Disney Publishing Worldwide is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books and magazines, so you can count on them for providing some great and educational reading material for you and your toddlers! Here are some titles for 0-2 year olds to check out:
My ABC’s
Homemade Love
On the Farm
Disney Tails: Dumbo and Mama
Baby Says “Moo”
Baby Animals (this one incorporates the sensation of touch!)
Read-Along Small Fry Collection (Finding Nemo, Toy Story Toons, Monsters Inc.)
Apps
In 2018, it’s rare to pass a toddler in a stroller who isn’t holding onto an iPad or their dad’s new Android to keep them occupied during mealtimes, the commute, or just a trip to the grocery store. Not only is Disney the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, they are also the leader in educational apps- with an entire arsenal geared for kids under school age! Here are some apps you can download to your phone or iPad for your toddler’s educational experience:
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Color and Play
Mickey’s Magical Math World (My SAT math score proves I could have really benefitted from this one…)
Jake’s Never Land Pirate School
Between the TV, the iPad, and a good old fashioned story, Disney has both you and your toddler covered for when the back-to-school blues strike. Plus, you can go online and print hundreds of Disney-inspired coloring sheets and learn-to-draw pages to occupy any downtime. With each of the apps offering multiple levels and each new TV episode offering a new and engaging plot, running out of time in the day to fit it all in should be your only concern! Which Disney-inspired educational tool do you plan to use with your toddler this year? Leave us a comment and let us know!
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Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer thrilled to a part of your Disney vacation planning! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!
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