I did not, at that age, give my DS screen-time *in order that* he would learn - but tbh, the people who say no screen time at all until 2 could come and look after my non-napping baby while I cook supper/have a shower/make a telephone call/sleep past 5.30am :-) So yes, DS used to get to watch carefully selected DVDs sometimes. As a baby, he loved the Baby Einstein ones (about which I like everything but the name). Then came the Thomas the Tank Engine obsession, the Clangers (actually bought out of nostalgia for me and DH, but really, they don't make children's programmes like that any more and they should!), and one Fimbles DVD although he didn't like that enough for me to buy more than one. A baby sign and singing DVD, and a musical alphabet DVD. Some time later, yes, David Attenborough everything, although were (still are) things we watch together rather than things he watched alone. Online, Starfall, the Thomas the Tank Engine site (although IIRR they ruined that a bit later, dunno what it's like now) and I remember a counting game from ?Woodside Primary that he liked. As you see, most of his screen time was "educational" in some way, but really what I was trying to do was to keep it calm and non-stressy, which tends to lead you that way.
Sleep: sympathy. Key point: does she have a problem, or is it only you who have a problem? I mean, is she getting tired and grouchy, or is that just you? :-) If she's fine, she might not be too young for a "you can be awake but you must stay in your room" rule.
Best toy I remember from around that age was a set of (good quality, in-tune) children's handbells! Mixed blessing for parents though...
