Next time your kids have some down time and are ready to watch TV, try tuning into one of these great educational shows. They’ll have fun and you’ll feel good that they are getting an extra dose of math, problem solving, vocabulary building, reading, and social development skills. I let my kids, ages 3, 5, and 7, watch these shows everyday to relax and laugh in between other activities.
For math and problem solving:
My 3 year old begs to watch Team UmiZoomi several times a day, and shouts out answers to their questions as a tiny team of helpers respond to children and show them how to use teamwork and math concepts of patterns, measurement, and shapes to solve problems. Even the youngest learners, toddlers and preschoolers, can follow Curious George through hilarious capers as his curiosity causes problems, which he then must learn a new skill to solve. Older preschoolers through lower elementary kids will love the adventures in Cyberchase where three kids that were sucked into a portal to cyberspace need to use various math skills to prevent Hacker from taking over.
For science:
Preschoolers will sing along with Sid The Science Kid as he uses the scientific method to investigate and explore his world. Elementary students will want their own creature suits like in Wild Kratts to understand biology and what makes each species powerful.
For vocabulary building and reading:
The star of Martha Speaks, a talking dog, uses humor to illustrate the meaning of words, and what happens when miscommunication occurs. Older elementary kids like the cool new style of Electric Company , which teaches word parts with modern almost hip-hop style songs and skits. Visit WordWorld to help build an understanding of how letters form words, and the word transformed into objects will help young visual learners make connections to language.
For Social Development:
A strange little creature named Wow Wow Wubbzy will help preschoolers learn how to be a good friend. Elementary aged kids can commiserate with Arthur and his friends as they show just how tough handling daily situations with friends, parents, teachers, and siblings can be.