How to Reduce Screen Time for a 3-6 Year Old: A Routine That Actually Works
Practical, pediatrician-backed ways to cut screen time for preschoolers — screen-free zones, swap activities, and a bedtime cutoff that sticks.
Journal
All articles
Every article from the Ted&Co blog, in one place.
84 articles
The EU's New Toy Safety Rules Are Live: What They Mean for AI Companions
The EU's toy safety regulation is now in force and cross-references the AI Act. Here's what it means for AI...
Nearly Half of Parents Are Now Buying AI Toys — Here's What a New Study Says to Check First
A new survey finds 49% of parents have bought or considered an AI toy, but 83% worry about data collection....
Best Screen-Free Toys for Kids in 2026: Audio Players vs. Interactive Plush, Compared
Torn between an audio story player and an interactive plush toy? An honest, side-by-side comparison of prices, ages, and what...
Why Are Bedtime Stories Important for Child Development?
Bedtime stories aren't just a wind-down ritual. Research links them to better sleep, stronger literacy, and lower anxiety in kids....
State AI Toy Laws Are Here: What Oregon and Washington Just Passed
Oregon and Washington just signed the first state laws written specifically for AI toys. Here's what they require, and what's...
Why Do Kids Ask So Many Questions? The Science of Curiosity
Children ask about 40,000 questions between ages two and five. Here's what the science says about why, and how parents...
Interactive Plush Toys for Kids: How to Choose the Right One in 2026
Ary, Lookiz, Ted&Co: how do interactive plush toys for kids actually differ in 2026? A factual comparison on price, languages,...
Cambridge Researchers Say AI Toys Need Safety Labels. Here's What That Means for Parents
Cambridge researchers want AI toys to carry safety labels after finding gaps in how they handle children's emotions. Here's what...
Pediatricians Just Changed Their Screen Time Advice: What It Means for Your Family
The American Academy of Pediatrics dropped its old screen-time-limit advice in 2026. Here's the new framework, and simple ways to...
Does Learning Two Languages Delay Speech? What the Research Actually Shows
A common worry among parents is that a second language slows a child's speech. New longitudinal research says otherwise. Here's...
Is a US Ban on AI Toys Coming? What the 2026 Federal Bills Actually Propose
Two 2026 federal bills could restrict or ban AI chatbots in kids' toys. Here's what each proposal actually says, and...
Can a Predictable Companion Help a Child with Sensory Sensitivities Feel Calmer?
Predictability lowers anxiety for kids with sensory sensitivities, research shows. Here's what experts recommend, and how a steady companion can...
How Can Grandparents Stay Close to Grandchildren Who Speak a Different Language?
Language gaps make video calls with grandparents feel stilted. Here's what research says about staying close across languages — and...
What Does COPPA 2.0 Mean for AI Toys? The 2026 US Privacy Rules Explained
COPPA 2.0 passed the House in June 2026 and a stricter FTC rule is already in force. Here's what the...
The Case for Boredom: Why Empty Afternoons Are Good for Kids
Pediatricians say boredom builds creativity and resilience in kids. Here's what the research shows, and how to protect unstructured time...
Does the EU AI Act Ban AI Toys? What the 2026 Rules Actually Say
The EU AI Act treats some AI toys as high-risk, and bans manipulative ones outright. Here's what the 2026 rules...
Back-to-School Anxiety: Can a Familiar Companion Really Help Kids Settle In?
Back-to-school jitters are normal and usually fade fast. Here's what child psychologists recommend for the transition — and how a...
Screen-Free Road Trips: Can an Interactive Companion Really Keep Kids Entertained in the Car?
More families are ditching tablets on road trips in 2026. Here's what the research says about screen-free travel, and how...
What Do CE, ASTM F963, and CPSIA Certifications Actually Mean for AI Toys?
AI toy boxes are covered in acronyms — CE, ASTM F963, EN71, CPSIA. Here's what each certification actually tests for,...
Can a Talking Teddy Help Kids Fall Asleep Faster? What Sleep Research Says
Screens before bed disrupt kids' sleep. Here's what 2026 sleep research says about swapping the tablet for a calm, screen-free...
Why Do Kids Bond With Stuffed Animals? The Psychology of Comfort Objects, Explained
The child psychology behind why kids attach to a favorite stuffed animal, what a 'transitional object' actually is, and what...
What the Bondu Data Breach Teaches Parents About Choosing a Safer AI Toy
50,000 children's chats were exposed in the Bondu AI toy breach. Here's what happened, what lawmakers are doing, and what...
Raising a Bilingual Child: How Much Daily Practice Actually Helps?
What 2026 research says about bilingual kids' development, the OPOL method, and how much real daily practice a second language...
How Parents Can Control What Their Child's AI Companion Actually Talks About
Most parental-control apps track screen time, not conversation content. Here's what 2026 research says parents want from AI companions —...
What Does an AI Companion Toy Really Cost? Subscriptions and Hidden Fees to Know in 2026
Many AI companions charge $8-20/month plus hidden fees. Here's what AI toy pricing actually looks like in 2026 — and...
No Camera, No Data Resale: What Privacy by Design Really Means for AI Toys
AI toys have been linked to major data leaks in 2026. Here's how privacy-by-design — no camera, no ad tracking,...
Can a Talking Teddy Bear Really Help My Child Learn a New Language?
Can an AI teddy bear help kids learn a new language? Here's what 2026 research on screen time, bilingualism, and...
Are AI Teddy Bears Safe in 2026? What New Laws and Studies Mean for Parents
New 2026 laws and studies are reshaping AI toy safety. Here's what the research shows, what regulators are doing, and...
How AI Teddy Bears Help Children Learn and Grow
What changes when a plush toy can answer back, and how conversation supports vocabulary, curiosity and confidence in children aged...
How to Choose the Best AI Teddy Bear for Your Child: A Parent’s Guide
Subscription, camera, languages, age range: the questions worth asking before buying an AI teddy bear, and how to compare the...
How AI Teddy Bears Help Kids Learn: 7 Ways Smart Plush Toys Support Development
Language, curiosity, memory, empathy: seven ways an interactive plush toy supports what children aged 3 to 6 are already learning...
How AI Teddy Bears Help Children Build Emotional Intelligence (Ages 3–12)
How conversation helps children aged 3 to 12 name their feelings, practise empathy and talk through a hard day, and...
The 10 Best AI Toys for Kids in 2026 (Parent's Guide)
Discover the best AI toys for kids in 2026. We compare smart toys, educational robots, and interactive companions to help...