It can be hard to choose which TV shows to let your preschooler watch. They are probably out-growing some of the shows they used to love, and are becoming interested in more complicated story-lines. However, they’re still only preschoolers, so you don’t want to let them watch just anything that comes on TV.
Here’s an overview of some of the best TV shows for preschoolers on TV.
Super Why
This show will be a big hit with both you and your kids. Super Why is about the super readers, a group of kids (characters from books, really) that learn to solve their daily problems by finding answers in books. The show makes reading seem cool, and is really good for preschoolers who are becoming more aware of language, learning their letters, and maybe even starting to read. The story lines are a bit more complicated, but they are kept entertaining by the use of repetitive songs and segments. There is a real emphasis on learning letters, but it is incorporated into the show in ways that your preschooler will enjoy (and interact with).
To learn more about Super Why, click here.
Dora the Explorer/Go Diego Go
Dora is a little girl who is always “exploring”, or having adventures with her map, backpack, and friend Boots the monkey to help her. It teaches skills like remembering patterns, following sets of instructions, and problem solving. Diego is her cousin; he, along with his family, lives at an animal rescue center. Diego and his friend baby jaguar stay busy helping animals in trouble. It is very educational about animals and the environment. Dora and Diego do show up in each other’s shows sometimes, and although some kids like one or the other, many will love both. Both Dora and Diego are English/Spanish bilingual, so don’t be surprised if your preschooler picks up some Spanish words from them. These shows are both hugely popular.
To visit their website on Nick Jr., click here.
This show is super educational, sweet, and enjoyable. The Little Einsteins are a group of kids (Leo, Quincy, Annie, and June) who-with Rocket-have adventures. Each episode features a piece of classical music and artwork, so it introduces children to a wide range of culture. (My three-year-old, when I put on a Vivaldi CD recently, exclaimed, “Oh, I LOVE this song from Little Einsteins!” and asked me to turn it up.) It also teaches other factual information (they travel around the world and teach about different locations, have taught about the planets, may cover counting, and more) and life skills (working together, sharing, problem solving, etc.). This is both one of the most educational and one of the most enjoyable children’s programs currently on the air.
To find out more about Little Einsteins, click here.
These are just a smapling of the good programs for preschoolers. Other good choices include: My Friends Tigger and Pooh (the newest incarnation of Winnie the Pooh with an emphasis on problem solving and teamwork), Bob the Builder (not only does he build things, he teaches a lot about environmental issues too), Handy Manny (Spanish-English bilingual), and Lazy Town (emphasizes a healthy lifestyle).
