Television shows these days for preteens are lacking. You can turn on Baby Einstein when your child is a toddler or Dora the Explorer when your child turns five. However, what happens when your child grows out of the fives and turns nine with a curious mind? Network Television shows like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody may teach your child about future life situations, like peer pressure, but as for teaching them about the world around them in educational and scientific concepts, these Nickelodeon shows don’t cut it.
Here are five educational shows that I allow my children to watch that keep their growing minds interested in science and their imaginations thinking outside the box. We always discuss the show afterwards and sometimes try to see if we can do some debunking.
Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman
Can we live forever? Is it possible to travel through space? Is there a sixth sense? Through the Wormhole is hosted by the iconic Morgan Freeman as he seeks to answer the theoretical questions of the universe. The show incorporates commentary from leading scientist and scholars from renowned universities. I cannot speak for how much this show captivates my children or how afterward they never seem to fail to want to pick up a science book or yahoo words like black holes or quasars. You never know if you raising the next theoretical physicist. It airs Wednesdays on the Science Channel.
Jurassic CSI
This is a new show which the National Geographic Channel has recently started airing. The show is hosted by Dr. Phil Manning and questions long held beliefs about dinosaurs through the use of modern technology. What I love about this show is that helps reinforce geographical locations, paleontological terminology, and a lot of cool new tech gadgets.
Mutant Planet
Mutant Plant is another Science Channel show that tries to illustrate how nature and evolution have shaped our world. It is full of stunning and exotic locations and brilliant CGI’s that help support the current scientific view of the world we have today.
Monster Bug Wars
This show can be a little graphic, from a bug’s point of view. However, if your child is interested in why bugs think and act the way they do, he or she will love this show. It gets up close and personal with some of the weirdest, oddest bugs that you have probably never heard of, as they hunt for their next meal and defend their homes.
Ancient Aliens
Now I must say that aliens are curious things, simply, because of the conspiracy theorist and the Roswell controversy. We all want to believe, right? Well, the ancient astronaut theorists on this show believe that they have proof. However, this show is mainly based on a theory that is probably nothing short of junk science. Yet the historical accuracies of this show, from culture to history, are fairly accurate and aliens are great for holding my children’s attention and imagination while learning a little. This show airs on the History Channel.