My eldest, I'll refer to her as 'G', had been going through a very rough patch behavior wise, both at home and daycare, which worried us. Thus I decided I would used MLP, if she liked it, as a reward/training tool. I've been worried I'm associating food as a reward, something that's not healthy long term, and would rather use as a special treat instead.
Thus, 2 weeks ago, after G had 3 days of green ratings (that's the best) from daycare, I told her she'd earned a night of MLP! Normally we don't allow her to watch any TV during the weeknights, so it was already a special treat. We sat down together, and watched Pts 1-2 of the first episode. I didn't want to love it, but I do! It's so cute, the ponies are complex and the stories have good lessons. Finally, I rewarded her with one mini PVC pony from a set I'd bought.
The deal was if she got 3 days of green lights AND was good at home, on Weds night we'd watch 1 new episode of MLP and she could pick out a new mini pony as well. She was also told if she didn't remain in bed after lights out, her worst behavior, I'd get to keep her ponies for the evening. Later in the week I have her tell me about the episodes once she's seen it twice, and about the ponies and what they learned, so it's a mini lesson session. (or so I tell myself lol)
G's behavior has noticeably improved since! It may have been a developmental leap when she was acting up, she now she has something current to discuss with her pals and a special Mommy-Daughter night with me! I've also gone nuts on eBay snatching up the mini blind-bag sized ponies to build up a nice amount and cause it feeds my collectivist nature.
Tomorrow with be our 3rd week and given there's 4 seasons, I may increase it to 2 episodes a week if she's good over the weekend but keep it to one mini pony. I highly recommend giving MLP a watch only if you're capable of being firm in the toy department and saying "No" when they see all the merchandise. Otherwise, enjoy watching My Little Pony...Best Friends!