Educational TV Programming: the Top Five Shows Review

The news seems to send out mixed messages. Television is extremely dangerous for young children, but at the same time there are tons of shows to help those same young children learn. What is a parent to do? If you dig more deeply into the research, the problem with TV – beyond violence and commercials – seems to be that it replaces interaction with peers or parents. If taken that way your kids can watch television, enjoy it and even learn something. Just don’t let it replace quality time spent with you.

As the mother of a young child I have spend a great deal of time researching the best shows for him to watch. I want shows that are educational, yet fun. Ideally, he will learn a few things while having a good time. Since I’m most concerned with my toddler, I focused on educational shows for children under five. Obviously there are many fine programs for older children, parents and teens.

The Best Show For Tots

To find the top five educational programs I focused on four important criteria;

  • Appeal to the child
  • Lessons presented
  • How much fun it is
  • How much will the child retain

How much does the show appeal to the child? If the child could care less about the program, what good does it do if he could learn calculus by watching it? I’m curious about the amount and style of lessons presented in the show. I’m also interested in how much fun the show is. Is the child just watching passively, or is he supposed to be involved? Finally, I’m curious about how much retention is possible from a show. Repetition is often the key to retention, so how often are important themes or ideas repeated?

Not surprisingly – or at least not surprisingly for children of my generation – Sesame Street is still the clear winner. Sesame Street is educational programming at its finest. It focuses on letters, numbers, shapes, and colors as well as social messages about race, gender, and even languages. Sesame Street in some countries even have characters affected by AIDS. Regardless of all this learning, kids still love the show for the fun characters and the chance to “talk” to Big Bird and Elmo. The classic lives on.
Sesame Street Still the Winner After All These Years! - 9.5/10
Conclusions: Sesame Street, a child favorite, is also the highest ranked educational program. Learning to count and reciting the ABCs, as well as a bit of Spanish helps kids learn while they are having fun.
Pros: Enjoyable ~ fun ~ specific facts and lessons ~ educational
Cons: Might be considered babyish by older viewers. If this is the case, try Reading Rainbow which is geared toward slightly older children.
Our Top Recommended Educational TV Programming
Sesame Street 9.5/10
A lovable cast of puppets, adults, and kids interact together to share letters, numbers, and important life lessons.
Appeal 10/10
Lessons 10/10
Fun 9/10
Retention 9/10
For generations, Sesame Street has captured the hearts and minds of children all over the world. The mix of stories, lessons and songs entertain children while teaching them different facts and skills.
Overall Still the Winner After All These Years! - 9.5/10
 
Barney and Friends 9.25/10
A big purple dinosaur helps kids understand the value of positive behavior, being friendly, and having appropriate manners.
Appeal 9/10
Lessons 9/10
Fun 10/10
Retention 9/10
With his overwhelming friendliness and catchy songs, Barney is a childhood favorite. Manners and friendships are the purple dinosaurs favorite lessons, and his songs and dances encourage interaction.
Overall The Singing Purple Dinosaur - 9.25/10
 
Little Einsteins 9.25/10
Four animated preschoolers take a journey in their rocket ship to explore nature, geography or space, aided by a famous painting and classical composition.
Appeal 9/10
Lessons 10/10
Fun 10/10
Retention 8/10
The Little Einsteins are highly enjoyable for kids. The show is interactive, leaving pauses for viewers to respond or help the rocket ship take off by pat-pat-patting. The show is a lot of fun, with some unusual learning topics such a geography or animals.
Overall Child Geniuses Unite! - 9.25/10
 
Reading Rainbow 8.5/10
Highly focused on engaging children in books and developing lifelong readers, Reading Rainbow reads and shares books with children.
Appeal 8/10
Lessons 9/10
Fun 8/10
Retention 9/10
Reading to children is one of the best learning opportunities, and when you can’t, LeVan can. Kids can experience new books and enjoy stories and pictures on a daily basis.
Overall 8.5/10
 
Caillou 8.25/10
An animated four-year-old discovers the world around him while focusing on lesson such as making friends, discovery, and enjoying life.
Appeal 8/10
Lessons 8/10
Fun 9/10
Retention 8/10
Kids can relate to Caillou with his curious nature and desire for discovery, and they love him for it. Caillou seems to learn a valuable lesson every day, and your child can learn right along with him. Lessons cover things like telling the truth or friends, and don’t focus much on ABCs or 123s.
Overall 8.25/10
 
 
 
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