Time Out Tot, Vol. 1: Six Teaching Time Outs for Six Misbehaviors

This initial volume in the Time Out series is specifically designed to help children understand what certain behaviors look like, why those behaviors are so annoying to parents and friends, and how to better control the behaviors in the future. Each section profiles a different misbehavior (tantrums, cutting in line, pushing, grabbing, biting, whining), followed by a live-action sequence featuring a child acting out in a particular social setting, such as on the playground or in the family kitchen. After each scenario, the viewer is taken on a guided tour of what went wrong with Tot--a fluffy squirrel puppet who empathizes with the confused and upset child and helps him or her straighten things out through a catchy tune, after which a re-enactment of the event is presented with more appropriate behavior. This children's guidance title shows children how their actions appear to others, and then teaches them how to calm down, accept the inevitable “time out” for the behavior, apologize to the appropriate parties, and make better choices next time. Smartly combining live action, puppetry, and songs, this might just be the ticket for beleaguered parents. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (A. Cantú)