Questioning iTunes 10 Best TV Shows for Kids

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I'm always on the hunt for quality television shows for NG, and I try to pick and choose them carefully based on a nice balance of music, dancing, good lessons, and some educational stuff. Okay, I know television shows in general are a bad substitute for sitting with her and interacting. I try not to let the TV shows (which she watches on my iPhone) be her only companion. But let's face it - there is value in good quality entertainment on many levels - and I especially like the pacifying nature in those moments I'm desperate for a little quiet.

So I download select shows from iTunes to give her variety and to control what she is watching (we don't have regular TV). There is a list highlighted in the Kids' section called 10 Best Kids Shows. Having watched all of these shows and many others myself in my screening process, I beg to differ with their list. First, the list doesn't separate them by Pre-K and shows for older kids. How can you combine them all together?!?

I'm also pretty suspect about the choices - I'm betting money was paid by the television networks for placement. Why do I think this? Because some of the shows on the list are HORRIBLE, promoting bad behavior, violence, disrespect, or plain stupidity. Maybe iTunes is just trying to butter up the television. conglomerates.

Below is the iTunes list. Below that, I put together my own list.

iTunes 10 Best Shows for Kids

1. Sesame Street - Classic and wonderful. Hey, I grew up on this show.

2. Blues Clues - Cute and "interactive" but not very challenging.

3. Hannah Montana - So unbelievably stupid. Even if your she enjoyed it, which she doesn't, it is pure inane nonsense.

4. Dora the Explorer - Sweet but she is already outgrowing it - at 3.

5. Spongebob Squarepants - OMG, this is not for kids. I can see the Ren & Stimpy-like appeal (which was also not for kids), but it is frightening and disgusting. Disclaimer: She does have 2 episodes that she does watch occasionally, but only in a pinch. This was an example of me picking my battles, and I was weak.

6. Little Einsteins - I've only seen one show, and it seems okay. It has engrained a classical musical piece by Tchaikovsky in her head - she loves humming it.

7. Madeline - Adorable. Love this show for its introduction to cultural things.

8. iCarly - Kill this show, and the producers who make it. Worse than Hannah Montana in promotion of stupidity.

9. Arthur - Just saw this for the first time, and the lesson was a very good one.

10. Phineas and Ferb - The animation is so ugly and annoying that I haven't been able to pay close enough attention to the content. Thumbs down.

My List of the 10 Best TV Shows for Kids (on iTunes)

My list includes a few of the above and some others that are just terrific.

1. Sesame Street - see above

2. Madeline - see above

3. Dora the Explorer or Ni Hao Kai Lan (both are cute and offer a few words in another language each show - Dora is Spanish, Kai Lan is Chinese)

4. Super Why - Awesome educational and fun show that promotes reading, story telling and spelling.

5. Backyardigans - She is tiring of this show, but we still love the dancing and singing, and I love the emphasis on imagination and adventures.

6. Wonder Pets - No longer one of her top favorites, but we still adore the characters and songs. Ming Ming is our favorite. And when she isn't obeying me, I always use the "Team Work" song to soften her up.

7. Mama Mirabelle - A new discovery and incredibly sweet combining cartoon animals and National Geographic footage to teach lessons. This is a new favorite for both of us.

8. Olivia - I must confess that I'm a pig fanatic (I collect pig figurines), and when I saw the first Olivia book, I fell in love instantly. NG enjoys the feisty little girl pig. I like the messages and the way Olivia is such a strong little girl...pig.

9. Max & Ruby - We've only watched two episodes so far but have watched them over and over. NG is an only child but I like her seeing sibling interactions. Not that I'm planning on having another baby, however, we may adopt someday. Regardless, the lessons in the show are good ones about interpersonal interactions.

10. Little Bill - I think this is produced by Bill Cosby. Super sweet, and frankly, our community is so white (as are so many of the characters in popular TV shows) that I'm glad there is a quality show with a character of color. Otherwise, NG has very little exposure to diversity.

NG also really loves the new Electric Company, however, that isn't for Pre-K's.

What are YOUR favorite television shows for the Pre-K set?

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Comments

[Rehan]

Why pay over $90.00 a month for Cable or Satellite TV services?
http://www.satellitetvtopc.com/?hop=majid1973

[Jane]

We don't allow any post 1980 Disney into our home!
Nature documentaries are surprisingly effective.
We are very minimal with visual media, don't watch TV ourselves. In fact we only use VHS or DVDs, come to think of it; from puppet theatre to old films like "The Red Balloon"- "Land before Time" is nice, I'm a sucker for anything I saw as a kid...
Jane