Kids watch TV and tablets.  We watch TV and use tablets.  It’s just the way it is.  Technology is and has been growing up with our kids for quite some time now.  It’s new to some of us, but not for our kids.  For them it just always has been.  “Mom, you didn’t have an Ipad when you were little?”  “Dad, there was no texting when you were a kid?”  They are absolutely blown away when you tell them, “No!  We had discman and phones that had cords in our house.” 

With my Mom hat on and my speech-language pathologist hat hanging at the door I had to go ahead and let my kids have screen time.  Everything in moderation right?  Here’s my top 10 reasons why I love Toy Story.  Let’s get specific, why I love Toy Story 2. 

1. Vocabulary.  Multiple familiar toys your child might already have at home brought to life.  Think about all that vocabulary building labeling the toys with creative names to boot.  A cowgirl, cowboy, astronaut, dinosaur, slinky, piggy bank. 
2. Colourful and Fun.  There is nothing necessarily dark or frightening in Toy Story 2.  Well unless you find the part where Woody is dreaming about being thrown in the garbage and the rest of the garbage is somewhat gobbling him up.  There is a ton of colourful cheerfulness throughout the movie.  A feel good movie.   
3. Different Character Traits.  Each character has their own personality with unique emotions.  They all have a different idea when it comes to handling a situation.  Rex is a nervous character, while Buzz is brave.  These characters can be reference when your child comes across a situation in real life.  Remember when Rex was unsure about leaving Andy’s house, but Buzz jumped right out the window.  Talk about the consequences of different decisions.     
4. Emotions.  Various emotions from each character are shown.  Excitement, happiness, contentment, sadness, anger.  Talk about how the characters are feeling.  How do you think Jesse felt when she sat there under her owner’s bed with no one to play with?
5. Pretend play.  Bringing the toys to life sparks ideas for children to transfer into their own play.  Having toys work together to help a friend.  Woody, Buzz, and Bullseye work together to save Jesse from the taking off on an airplane.  Your child will re-enact scenes if you give them time to play.  If they need some help getting started, model a scene for them to get them started.
6. Friendship.   Let’s be real, friendships can be up and down for not only kids, but adults as well.  The toys stick together no matter what.  There may be moments of disagreement and sadness, but in the end if you understand where someone is coming from you can look past these moments in friendships.  Think about Jesse and why she became so upset when Woody tried to walk away from the Round Up Gang.  There is always a reason for people’s emotions.
7. For adults.  It’s always a perk when we as parents enjoy the movie we are watching.  The comic relief for adults keeps us watching.  Think when Mr. Potato Head is riding in the car with Barbie as the tour guide.  “I’m a married spud. I’m a married spud.”  The kids feel that energy when you are not on your phone and completely engaged.  It’s the same as when you are reading a children’s book you love before bed.  If you love it, you get totally into it with your animation and different voices.     
8. Storyline.  The story line is easy to follow for kids.  You can ask them after what happened in the movie.  What happened first?  What happened next?  What problem occurred?  How was the problem resolved?  What happened at the end?  Talk about it while the movie is on.  Pause it throughout to explain what is happening.  Some kids need that guidance.  Watch it over and over.  Kids learn through repetition.  That’s why they want the same books everyday read to them.  They are hearing and seeing different aspects to the movie or book every time they watch it.

Go ahead and round up your gang for an entertaining afternoon of Toy Story 2.