How The Nap Time Show is Helping Kids Rebuild Their Fine Motor Skills in Fun Ways
The fact is, many children's shows today are crafted to hook kids into a trance-like state, prioritizing mindless views over development.
In today’s digital age, children are inundated with media content designed to entertain, but not necessarily to educate or nurture their development. As the articles in National Geographic and The Guardian highlight, excessive screen time is leading to a decline in kids' fine motor skills, with many children struggling to perform basic tasks like holding pencils, using scissors, and even tying shoes. The fact is, many children's shows today are crafted to hook kids into a trance-like state, prioritizing mindless views over development.
But that’s not what The Nap Time Show is about. We take a radically different approach to children's media, one that is grounded in holistic growth and family engagement.
The Nap Time Show's Screen Time is Development-Focused
Unlike other shows that turn kids into passive screen zombies, The Nap Time Show offers a nurturing and intentional screen time experience.
Our content is specifically designed to not be overstimulating. As the National Geographic article pointed out, "77% of teachers reported that fine motor skills like holding pencils, using scissors, and writing have become more challenging for young students," and screen time is one of the main contributors.
While many shows out there simply seek to captivate a child’s attention long enough to generate advertising revenue, The Nap Time Show is committed to fostering growth and meaningful connections.
Fine Motor Skills Development Through Fun, Bonding Activities
Our brand of screen time encourages real interaction. Take, for example, Siesta’s Crafty Corner, a mini-series within the show that focuses on arts and crafts designed to help kids develop fine motor skills while also strengthening social-emotional learning. In one of our favorite episodes, "Kindness Flowers," kids not only engage in crafting activities like making foam flowers, but also talk about how kindness can show up in their everyday lives.
These activities don’t just develop fine motor skills like cutting and gluing; they also teach important life values.
Parents, this is where The Nap Time Show truly shines: It’s a bonding experience. We want parents to gather the materials, sit with their child, and enjoy the activity together. It’s about quality time, and about cultivating a hands-on approach to learning. As experts suggest in The Guardian, "children with poor basic motor skills and underdeveloped muscles... were linked with excessive screen use." Our show’s intentional content is designed to reverse this trend by providing parents with fun and simple ways to engage with their kids.
But here’s where we stand apart: our show actively encourages children to turn off the screen and engage with the world around them.
Interactive and Restful Experiences
Our "Bedtime Stories with Mister Boots" mini-series also prioritizes development, but in a different way—by blending literacy with rest. Mister Boots, the nature-loving character, reads fun, relatable stories like The Sour Grape and Hair Love, encouraging kids to unwind before bedtime.
But here’s where we stand apart: our show actively encourages children to turn off the screen and engage with the world around them. Mister Boots’ love for nature is not just a theme—it’s a call to action for kids to explore their own backyard and get outside, something many modern children are not doing enough.
We’re counteracting the overstimulation of modern media by emphasizing rest, mindfulness, and connection to nature.
Taking It Off the Screen and Into the Community
Our work doesn’t stop at the screen. Through our partnership with The LEGO Foundation, Book Dash, and ChangeX, we’ve been able to distribute 1,000 free children’s books to children across the Midwest.
This initiative was designed to counter the findings of The Guardian, where a survey showed children arriving at school unable to even hold a book properly.
We’re not just talking about the importance of reading; we’re actively making it accessible, fun, and community-centered.
We’ve also hosted live readings and performances for organizations like the Detroit Public Library, further proving our commitment to early literacy beyond just television.
We’re also taking these efforts into schools through our School District Wellness Partnership Program. As studies show that children who nap and rest excel academically and exhibit fewer behavioral problems, this program provides districts with a comprehensive rest curriculum, teacher development workshops, and live shows that incorporate the magic of The Nap Time Show directly into their classrooms.
Supporting Fine Motor Skills and Parental Engagement
We don’t just talk about the importance of fine motor skill development; we actively support it with resources parents and children can enjoy together.
Our free printable worksheets, including activities like coloring and cutting, are available on the PBS Michigan Learning Channel and in our email newsletter. These worksheets are specifically designed to help children strengthen their fine motor skills while having fun.
Products like our "YeeHaw!" puzzle and Arts and Crafts Activity Kit are tools to help children build hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and problem-solving skills, all while bonding with parents. In an age where many children are falling behind due to screen-based entertainment, our products and shows are a step toward reversing that trend.
The Nap Time Show isn’t about "putting on the show, handing the tablet to your child, and walking away."
Parents Are the First Teachers
It’s important to note, as The Guardian highlighted, that "parents are failing to support the development of their children."
But we don’t blame parents; we empower them. The Nap Time Show isn’t about "putting on the show, handing the tablet to your child, and walking away." Instead, we encourage parents to engage with their children: snuggle up, watch the show together, talk about what they see, and most importantly, rest together.
Parents are a child's first teacher, whether they realize it or not. By supporting the entire family—through our shows, events, and products—we understand that children grow best in the context of a community.
In an age where many children are falling behind due to screen-based entertainment, our products and shows are a step toward reversing that trend.
An Invitation for Educators
To the educators out there noticing the troubling trend of children struggling with fine motor skills and school readiness: We see you. Our School District Wellness Partnership Program is designed to help. With the research supporting the need for rest and development, our program provides the support that teachers need to help children thrive—both academically and socially. We’re offering tangible, data-backed change.
Interested in joining the program? Reach out via email: info@thenaptimeshow.com
In conclusion, while other children's media brands may be content to exploit kids’ attention for profit, The Nap Time Show is committed to shaping a healthier, more holistic future for kids and their families.
Through engaging content that promotes fine motor skills, literacy, and real-world connections, we’re providing a path toward meaningful development and community engagement. Join us in making a real difference in the lives of children and parents alike!
Support The Nap Time Show and help us continue to change the game for children’s media!
