Whether it’s watching YouTube videos on a phone or iPad, or watching their favorite nightly show in front of the television, kids are always taking in plenty of stimuli from the technology around them. So how do you ensure that the content that your child is watching is beneficial to their development? Here is a list of the most educational television shows to watch with your child, that can make T.V. time both stimulating and instructional.
1.) Dinosaur Train, is a PBS show created by Craig Bartlett, (who also wrote the 90s hit Hey Arnold!) features a curious young Tyrannosaurus rex named Buddy who, together with his adopted Pteranodon family, takes the Dinosaur Train to explore his time period, and have adventures with all kinds of dinosaurs. We know that kids love dinosaurs, but this show makes learning about them educational and fun.
2.) Max & Ruby on Nickelodeon is based on the book series by Rosemary Wells. It naturally mimics the natural relationship between siblings by following the adventures of two bunnies Max, (3 yrs old) and Ruby (7 yrs old). The pair have very different personality traits and use their strengths to resolve a conflict. This is a great show that displays to your child how to effectively resolve arguments.
3.) Curious George on PBS Kids, is about a brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by “The Man with The Yellow Hat” to live with him in a giant city. It soothes the tired parent’s soul. George is best for younger kids since most of what the show focuses on are simple lessons like learning shapes, numbers, and colors.
4.) Sid the Science Kid is another PBS show. The main character in the show is Sid, an inquisitive youngster who uses comedy to tackle questions kids have about basic scientific principles and why things work the way they do. He tries to answer questions and solve problems with the help of his classmates. This show promotes an analytical approach to life and promotes many early scientific lessons like gravity.
5.) The Wonder Pets is a Nickelodeon show that’s been on the air for quite a while. The premise is simple, it’s about baby animals saving the world. The musical element of the show is enough to proclaim its benefits for children. A 10 member live orchestra performs on each episode of the show following the children. It is a wonderful introduction to classical style music and can add a dash of cultural gain to your child’s everyday life.
6.) The Backyardigans centers around an assortment of neighboring playmates depicted as bipedal, anthropomorphic animals: Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Austin, and Tasha. Designed to encourage imaginative play. The animals are constantly speaking directly to the viewers in a call-and-response manner, prompting a reaction from your child and encouraging their engagement in problem-solving.
Advancements in technology have been making it easier and easier for children to get a hold of video stimuli, but by monitoring what your child watches and giving them educational options; they can progress rapidly in many of the areas that these television shows promote like conflict resolution, curiosity, history, and science.
