We try to limit our 3-year-old’s television viewing, sticking with Blue’s Clues before daycare, American Idol and The Middle (since she has a crush on Brick 
**whispering** Brick). Sometimes, things like COPS and Entertainment Tonight accidentally slip through the cracks. I know, I know, take my mommy badge away from me now.
So when Discovery Channel’s gorgeous documentary series Life premiered on March 21, we were ecstatic to find an educational show we could all enjoy together. In fact, we were only three of the 11.8 million viewers nationwide who caught the premiere on Sunday.
Life is visually stunning, grabbing viewers from their sofas and plopping them in the middle of the rainforest or the Dead Sea. The tales of survival are particularly thrilling. Watching a baby ibex try to flee from a ravenous fox had me on the edge of my seat more than Paranormal Activity did.
Challenges of Life was the first episode, and true to its name, it spotlighted hunting and breeding, which worried me since there was a 3-year-old sitting with me on the couch. She’s heard Elton John sing about the circle of life a million times, but seeing it up close and personal – eek! Though we chose to flip the channel when three cheetahs took down an ostrich, we let her experience other worlds she may never see in person.
Too heavy for a toddler? Perhaps, but she was enthralled the entire episode.
The Discovery Channel runs two episodes of Life on Sunday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. Upcoming episodes include:
By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting
Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
Is it time to potty train your toddler? The St. Louis County Library is offering Potty Training 101 to parents of children ages 2-3. This free workshop for parent and child includes a potty-themed storytime, and parents & caregivers will receive information to get them started on the potty training process. Attendees will also receive a potty seat, step stool, training pants and a potty-themed board book.
Bring your babies and toddlers to this free story time at the Missouri History Museum.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.
