Thomas

Since TV seems to be the theme today, I might as well blog about Eli and Thomas.

Thomas the Tank Engine was the first show we introduced Tobey to when we introduced TV. I liked the relative calmness of the picture and the gentle story telling. No need for the hyper flashy Nickelodeon type of shows or the fast-paced ADD Sesame Street style shows. Calm, slow, gentle.

Being the second child, of course Eli's been exposed to way more TV than Tobey was at age 2. Tobey started watching at 2 (or just before 2, basically right after Eli was born) but Eli probably has had exposure to TV ever since he's been walking, which was when he turned 1. I used to try to turn on the TV for Tobey when Eli was napping so Eli wouldn't watch, but now I use it 50% of the time for both of them right before dinner so that they don't fight and drive me crazy at the end of my "work day".

So since Eli doesn't talk (grrr) then of course we usually watch what Tobey wants to watch, be it Jay Jay, Cars or the most recent space shuttle launch from CNN. Eli will watch, but he will also putz around, wander around, play, sometimes come back to watch (especially when Wolf Blitzer is asking idiotic questions about the launch sequence). But it was pretty clear the shows Tobey liked weren't grabbing Eli's attention.

But Thomas does.

After I realized that Eli likes Thomas (by the way he clutches onto the Thomas train or points Thomas out everywhere he sees him), I thought that we should also start to watch Thomas for Eli's benefit. And go figure, Eli will sit through a whole episode of Thomas, interested and happy. He points when he sees a train he likes, he says uh-oh when the inevitable accident happens, he laughs when something silly occurs and he doesn't wander around.

Today, when Eli heard Tobey and Joshua outside biking, he pointed to them and said "Bobby!" (Tobey) but then turned back to the TV, instead of begging to go outside. That was my sign that Eli is truly interested in the Thomas show. Sure, later on, I'd rather have him play outside than to stay in to watch TV. But since he's so active anyway, I like that I've found something that will capture his attention and keep him still for half an hour.