What we know about children under the age of two is that they are active, interactive, hands-on learners. We also know that they are not yet critical thinkers, so that they can't sort through ideas that come their way to decide if things are real or not real, safe or unsafe. Sitting passively in front of television, being exposed to ideas that don't necessarily match their level of understanding or their family's values, is not a good fit for infants and toddlers.

Then there are the needs of today's parents. Most contemporary families with young children are striving to balance work, household maintenance, family time and personal time. It is admirable that parents even attempt to cook after a long day away from their children. Add toddler twins into the picture, and turning on videos to get basic household maintenance tasks seems perfectly reasonable.

Keep dinner prep very simple. This probably goes without saying, as most parents have figured this out a long time ago. Remembering that children need time with you more than they need fancy food will go a long way towards making evenings more successful.

Page Two:
Learn 5 TV-Free Alternatives
5 FUN ALTERNATIVES TO TV

1. Spend special time together when you first reunite at the end of the day. This is an important transition time for parents and young children. It can take time to get back into rhythm with each other. Taking time to cuddle together, hang out outside, read or just slow down and watch your child play is an important factor in the success of the rest of the evening.

2. Involve your children in whatever you are doing. Cooking with toddlers definitely has its challenges, but it also has its joys. However you involve your child in cooking, expect at least some mess. Toddlers can use a scrub brush to wash potatoes or other vegetables in a tub with a tiny bit of water in the bottom. They can wash lettuce, spin it in the salad spinner (with help) and tear it up in a bowl for salad. Toddlers can take tortillas out of the package, put them on a cookie sheet and lay cheese on top. Toddlers can also push the buttons on the blender (with supervision). It is important, however, to check your frame of mind before you begin cooking with young children. It doesn't work well if you are tired, cranky or in a hurry.

3. Engage your children in parallel play. Often children want to be right with us when we have been separated all day. Sometimes you can set up activities for children to do alongside your household tasks. Some families keep a child-sized kitchen setup in or near the kitchen. This allows children to imitate your cooking activities. You can provide small containers and add a little play dough so children can pretend to cook. You can also bring out a few special toys that are reserved just for this time of day. Or try bringing in a large, comfy pillow and a few books so your children can hang out and look at books in your vicinity.

4. Set up a special activity for your children while you are cooking. Listening to music or to books or stories on tape can be a good substitute for television. If you put out a few scarves, pieces of cloth or hats, children may choose to dress up or dance to the music.

5. Hire an older neighborhood child to come in and play with your kids while you get dinner ready. Look around your neighborhood (or your family's circle of friends) to see if there is an older child (six years and up, depending on the child) who would like to come and spend an hour with your children in the evening while you are preparing dinner. You can pay the child a small sum. If you find a child who is a good match for your children and family, this can turn into a treasured time of day for all. Remember that they will still need some supervision and checking in from you.