Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children between ages two and three can be allowed to watch a maximum of one hour a day of high-quality online educational content under the supervision of a parent or caregiver (1). Educational TV shows for toddlers can help children learn new subjects and can also improve their listening, vocabulary, and social skills.
Here is a list of educational TV shows and programs for toddlers and preschoolers that might be beneficial for them. These shows have been chosen on the basis of their online rating, appeal to children, and their teachability.
Key Pointers
- Play the TV show Peppa Pig to improve your child’s language skills.
- TV shows such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Peep And The Big Wide World, and Bubble Guppies combine Math and entertainment.
- Children also learn empathy when watching shows such as Tumble Leaf.
23 Educational TV Shows For Toddlers And Preschoolers
1. Bluey
IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
Bluey is a cartoon show about a cute puppy called Bluey. Bluey lives with her little sister Bingo and their parents. The show beautifully captures their exciting adventures. Bluey loves playing and using her imagination. She teaches children about important things in life while having fun with her family. It is a great show that tells heartwarming stories of family bonds.
This cartoon is considered to be one of the best educational TV shows for toddlers. Not only is it great for entertaining but also instills good values in children. According to the Institute of Family Studies, this Australian cartoon series is noticeably different from other cartoons because of the positive way parents are depicted. “Their marriage is playful and loving. They are caring and empathetic with each other and with their children. They are involved, and they are in charge. It’s the platonic ideal of a modern marriage,” they say (2).
Available on: ABC Kids, CBeebies
2. Tumble Leaf
Image: Amazon Studios, Bix Pix Entertainment
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Fig, the blue fox, and his friends go on various adventures and learn how various concepts work in the world. The virtues of friendship, cooperation, and kindness are present throughout the show.
Available on: Prime Video
3. Ask The Storybots
Image: JibJab Bros. Studios, StoryBots Inc.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
The story bots are curious little creatures who live inside a computer and are tasked with the job of answering questions that children are usually curious about, such as, “What makes night happen” or “why is the sky blue.” Together, these little bots live across the world and keep making new friends along the way.
Available on: Netflix
4. Sesame Street
Image: Sesame Workshop
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Sesame has been a long-time favorite among toddlers and preschoolers. It combines live-action, sketch-comedy, animation, and puppetry. In this show, Big Bird leads a cast of characters and helps in teaching numbers, alphabet, and colors. The kid-friendly content in this show also helps develop ties of friendship and good behavior through their fun and interactive lessons.
According to PBS Kids, the primary telecaster of the show, the curriculum of Sesame Street has been created by in-house child psychologists, educators, and educational advisors. While the series addresses all areas of children’s development, the curriculum changes after every one or two seasons to meet the needs of the preschooler’s education. The show focuses on different aspects of learning, such as early language development, math, development of observational and problem-solving skills, expression of feelings, empathy, and conflict resolution (3). This makes Sesame Street agreat educational TV show for toddlers, as it focuses not only on bookish knowledge but also ensures emotional development.
Did you know?5. Elinor Wonders Why
Image: Pipeline Studios, Shoe Ink
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Elinor Wonders Why features the adventures of an observant and curious bunny rabbit named Elinor and her friends Ari, a bat, and Olive, an elephant. This show encourages children to ask questions and find answers using science. It allows them to experience the joy of discovery and learning something new.
Available on: PBS KIDS
6. Peep And The Big Wide World
Image: WGBH Boston, 9 Story Entertainment, Eggbox LLC, National Film Board of Canada
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Peep is a newly hatched chicken who goes on daily adventures with his friends Chirp the robin and Quack the duck. They live in a large urban park they call “the big wide world” and is the setting for all their lessons. As Peep travels, he learns science concepts, and the preschool series includes real kids playing and experimenting in different worlds. This series is innovative in teaching science and math to preschoolers.
Available on: Prime Video
7. The Magic School Bus
Image: South Carolina ETV, Nelvana, Scholastic Productions
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
The magic school bus is an animated television series for children based on the book series of the same name written by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. The story follows Ms. Fizzle and her class on field trips on the magic school bus. Magically transforming into a plane, train, submarine, or spaceship, the bus carries Ms. Frizzle and her students on various interesting adventures and teaches them about science. It also teaches them that it is okay to make mistakes while learning.
Available on: Prime Video
8. The Octonauts
Image: Chorion, Silvergate Media, Brown Bag Films, Mainframe Studios
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
This show is a bonafide adventure series that your children may get hooked on. The Octonauts live under the sea in their Octopod, which serves as their home base. They are a team of undersea explorers who are always ready to dive into action and explore new underwater worlds, rescue amazing sea creatures, and protect the ocean. This show is designed to educate children about ocean life and the environment.
Available on: Netflix
9. Beat Bugs
Image: Grace: A Storytelling Company, Thunderbird Entertainment, Beyond Entertainment, Atomic Cartoons, Seven Network
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
With the help of songs made famous by The Beatles, this story talks about the adventures of five friendly bugs who learn big lessons about the world around them, all from the comfort of their backyard.
Available on: Netflix
10. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Image: Fred Rogers Productions, 9 Story USA, 9 Story Media Group/Brown Bag Films Toronto
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood features a four-year-old tiger called Daniel who puts on his red sweater every day, ties his shoes, and invites a new generation of preschoolers into his make-believe neighborhood to share his experiences. The key impact of this show is the constant repetition of songs. It helps toddlers remember behavioral cues without the need to downplay any feelings they may be experiencing, promoting social skills and emotional regulation. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood also offers related activities and resources for children on their official website. All episodes of this cartoon are age-appropriate. The fifth season teaches children different crucial aspects such as managing sibling rivalry, having big emotions and managing them, coping with accidents, doing things alone, and the importance of listening and following rules (4).
Available on: iTunes
11. Blue’s Clues
Image: Out of the Blue Enterprises, Nickelodeon Animation Studio
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Host Steve Burns welcomes his preschool audience to the Blue’s Clues house, where his animated puppy Blue helps find three clues to something they are trying to figure out. Blue’s clues treat its viewers as active participants and make them an integral part of every episode. It also helps them develop their reading skills and improve concepts regarding shape recognition, coloring, numbers, and more.
Available on: Prime Video
12. Timmy Time
Image: Aardman Animations
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Timmy is a little lamb with a lot to learn as he heads off to nursery school. As he was the “only lamb,” he’s had his way most of the time, without having to consider anyone’s feelings or thoughts. But when he goes to Nursery, a cozy little school in an old farm building nestled in rolling hills, Timmy will be faced with a situation where he would have to learn taking others’ feelings into account.
Available on: Prime Video
13. The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That
Image: Collingwood and Co.
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
This show aims to promote children’s literacy in science. It follows the magical adventures of 6-year-old kids Nick and Sally, who travel the world with the Cat in the Hat, as their guide. As they travel in the Cat’s customized vehicle, the Thinga-ma-jigger, who can float, fly, drive and even ski, learn about natural science, visiting the rain-forest, the bottom of the sea, and all places in between. This show helps answer questions about natural science simplified and teaches them about seasons, habitats, animal behavior, and more.
Available on: Prime Video
14. Peppa Pig
Image: Astley Baker Davies Ltd
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Peppa is an outgoing pig who goes to preschool. Along with her brother George, she participates in various energetic activities, which help them learn something new and interesting every day. She also has a lot of fun playing with her family and friends. Peppa Pig teaches children to be thankful while improving their language skills on the other hand. Father and author, Matthew Wakelee opines that Peppa Pig has definitely improved his daughter’s vocabulary. He says, “Charlotte, who will turn two in May, absolutely loves the show. It’s definitely her favorite. It is something that will almost always succeed in calming her down… The kids also have a few Peppa Pig toys. They have the house and schoolhouse, Grandpa’s train, and a lot of the characters. Charlotte plays with them quite often now. She also has a Peppa Pig dress, two pairs of pajamas, and probably more clothes that I can’t think of… While Peppa may not be the best role model on TV, I do think the show has helped Charlotte improve her vocabulary (i).”
A study conducted in Athens, Greece on 55 preschoolers studies the effect of Peppa Pig on learning language. Some children watched a set of episodes of Peppa Pig in English, while others watched the same set with instructions. Results showed that those who watched Peppa Pig benefitted considerably, while those who watched and received instructions showed significant formulaic gains (5). This study shows that Peppa Pig is a great way to teach language to preschoolers, making it one of the best educational TV shows for toddlers.
Available on: Netflix
Trivia15. Bubble Guppies
Image: Wildbrain Entertainment, Nelvana, Jam Filled Entertainment, Nickelodeon Animation Studio
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Bubble Guppies features the adventures of six fish-tailed kids – Molly, Gil, Oona, Deema, Nonny, and Goby. These little kids attend classes in an underwater school. Along with Molly, Gil, Oona, Deema, Nonny, and Goby, your children will also learn about various subjects such as math, science, and literacy. Your child might also learn the value of friendship, honesty, hard work, and teamwork as they follow the bubble guppies on their adventures.
Available on: Prime Video
16. Llama Llama
Image: Genius Brands
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
From learning to share to handling bullies, this little llama is sure to help your early reader understand important life lessons. With silly stories filled with rhyming, sight words, and many lovable characters, your child can follow the adventures of Llama Llama while he meets new friends and waits for mama at bedtime.
Available on: Netflix
17. Little Einsteins
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Little Einsteins is a captivating children’s show. It is about four friends, Leo, Annie, Quincy, and June, and their magical rocket, Rocket. Together, they set out on musical adventures worldwide, solving problems and learning about art and classical music. The show sparks curiosity in young viewers and makes learning easy and fun.
Available on: Disney+
18. Super Why
Image: Decode Entertainment, DHX Studios Halifax, Out of the Blue Enterprises
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
Super why is designed to help children learn through interactive story adventures. It teaches preschoolers key literacy skills, including letter identification, spelling, and reading comprehension. In addition, it may also improve letter and word recognition speeds in children and aid in their language development.
Available on: PBS KIDS
19. Blippi
Image: Moonbug Entertainment, Candle Media
IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Blippi is an energetic character that jumps off the screen and has a goofy persona. While exploring various objects such as trucks, zoos, animals, and space, this show teaches children about numbers, colors, shapes, and words.
Available on: Netflix
20. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Image: Disney Television Animation
IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Minnie, Pluto, and their other clubhouse friends go on various adventures each day and learn many important lessons about day-to-day life. Watching this show may help your child develop their vocabulary and analytical skills. It also involves games related to math skills and shapes. You can find the program on Disney Junior.
Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
21. Bob The Builder
Image: HIT Entertainment
IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
To solve various problems while keeping a positive attitude and getting things done on time, Bob the Builder and his friends dig, haul, and build together, all while helping each other out in the process. This show may motivate your child as well to build things independently. As a result, it helps improve their motor skills and also encourages teamwork.
Available on: Prime Video
Trivia22. Word Party
Image: The Jim Henson Company
IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
Word party is a unique concept that is highly engaging for toddlers. This show can help your child in building their vocabulary and learn the language independently.
Available on: Netflix
23. Dora The Explorer
Image: Nickelodeon Animation Studio
IMDb Rating: 4.3/10
An eight-year-old girl, Dora, embarks on a journey with her best friend Boots to find something that interests her. This fun learning program teaches children counting, reading, sharing, and being accepting of others. Dora allows her viewers to be a part of her journey and interacts with them by asking questions and stating interesting facts. Certain studies show that Dora the Explorer has a significant positive impact on preschoolers, especially while learning spatial concepts and abilities (6). Moreover, it also reinforces better multiculturalism among preschoolers as Dora is a bilingual English and Spanish speaker. It was one of the first multicultural cartoons which showed diversity yet garnered almost 22 million viewers in 2005 (7).
Available on: Prime Video
TriviaHow To Make The Most Of Educational Shows
Though educational, children’s shows can quickly become addictive as they are colorful and interactive. To avoid such a possibility, you can implement some common tips:
1. Screen time boundaries
Children love routines. Hence, you can establish specific times for watching shows, such as after school or before dinner. Keep the time limit per AAP recommendations, which say that children between the ages of two and three can have up to an hour of high-value educational screen time (1).
2. Age-appropriate content
Select shows that focus on relatable themes such as problem-solving and social-emotional learning. Programs like Bluey and Peppa Pig impart positive education and may align with your educational goals and family values.
3. Co-viewing and engagement
Watch the episodes with your child and encourage interaction. You can also pause the show and ask questions like “What should they do next?” to develop critical thinking.
4. Encourage role play
You can ask children to recreate different activities they see in different episodes. For instance, if Peppa Pig has visited a supermarket, you can take your little one on a shopping trip and match the items in the show to those in the supermarket. This will teach them to relate shows to real life.
5. Introduce books and other media
Often, successful shows launch their own merchandise including books, audio CDs and other resources. You can introduce them to your children for thorough learning through the cartoons they love.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens if a toddler watches TV all day?
Although there are many advantages of educational channels and kids’ TV shows, toddlers should not be left to watch TV for more than the recommended time. Furthermore, research suggests that watching TV may lead to negative behavioral attributes and health consequences in young children (8).
2. Are cartoons better for toddlers than live-action shows?
Toddlers and young children like to watch cartoons as they may find these shows more exciting and visually appealing than action shows. However, it is best to choose show kid videos with positive and non-violent intentions and accompany your child to prevent the possible negative influences of these shows (9).
3. How can parents and caregivers choose TV shows that are both entertaining and educational for their toddlers?
Parents may choose shows that give the children an interactive and immersive experience. For example, quiz shows that include questions about science, animals, and the entertainment world. Additionally, shows that teach through games, stories, and songs and those involving shapes, letters, numbers, problem-solving, and social skill tests can also provide a fun learning experience. Parents should accompany their children to assess the educational value of such shows.
4. Are there any TV shows that can help promote cultural awareness and diversity for toddlers?
Yes, TV shows for kids like Doc McStuffins, which dismisses stereotypic gender roles, Daniel Toger, which shows kindness and stresses diversity and social skill development, and the all-time favorite Sesame Street, which portrays diverse characters interacting with each other and the children, can help promote cultural awareness and diversity among toddlers and kids.
5. How can parents and caregivers limit screen time while still incorporating educational TV shows for toddlers?
There are both good and bad effects of television on kids. To mitigate the negative effects of watching television on children, dedicate a specific time of the day for screen time and engage in discussion by pausing to ask and answer questions. This can encourage interaction and help them understand the topic better. Furthermore, don’t keep the TV running in the background, and put away all electronic devices during mealtime.
6. Are there any TV shows that can help toddlers learn about the natural world and the environment?
Shows like Octonauts, Maya the Bee, Mr. Bloom’s Nursery, and Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown explore nature and its different elements, animals, and gardening, and teach about sustainability.
Educational TV shows offer fun ways to boost a toddler’s cognitive skills, language development, and social interactions. They introduce numbers, letters, shapes, and problem-solving through engaging visuals. Furthermore, these shows model positive interactions, teaching toddlers empathy, sharing, and cooperation, which help develop social skills (10).
Many toddler shows aim at teaching new concepts through exciting visuals and catchy music. Educational shows for toddlers listed above are available on most online platforms. Play and let your children watch them, so they learn new concepts and enjoy them simultaneously. You can also join them as you might discover different fascinating concepts. You can try to customize these concepts and apply them to multiple subjects to make learning fun.
Infographic: Educational TV Shows For Toddlers To Watch
In this digital age, keeping young children away from phones and TVs is extremely challenging. So, make their screen time educational yet fun. The infographic below brings you some toddler-friendly TV shows that will entertain and make your little ones learn. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Best Educational TV Shows For Toddlers For Early Learning
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Learn about the recommended screentimes that shoud be followed by children and adults simulatneously, and the possible side effects of excess digital exposure.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Peppa Pig;https://ordinarymanextraordinarydad.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/peppa-pig/
References
- Where we stand: Screen time
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/screentime-baby-todd.html#:~:text=Toddlers%2018%20months%20to%2024,of%20high%2Dquality%20educational%20programming. - ‘Bluey’—A Children’s Show That Respects Parents and Marriage.
https://ifstudies.org/blog/bluey-a-childrens-show-that-respects-parents-and-marriage - About Sesame Street.
https://www.pbs.org/parents/shows/sesame-street/about/ - New DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD Special, Created in Response to COVID-19, Premieres August 17 on PBS KIDS.
https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/blogs/news/new-daniel-tigers-neighborhood-special-created-in-response-to-covid-19-premieres-august-17-on-pbs-kids/ - Peppa Pig: An innovative way to promote formulaic language in pre-primary EFL classrooms
https://www.academia.edu/45586046/Peppa_Pig_An_innovative_way_to_promote_formulaic_language_in_pre_primary_EFL_classrooms - The Effects of Dora the Explorer on Preschool Children’s Spatial Concept Acquisition and Spatial Ability
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313411415_The_Effects_of_Dora_the_Explorer_on_Preschool_Children’s_Spatial_Concept_Acquisition_and_Spatial_Ability - “Better Multiculturalism” Through Technology: Dora the Explorer and the Training of the Preschool Viewer(s).
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=theatre_articles - Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad et al. (2015); Watching television by kids: How much and why?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4456860/ - Qi Meng et al. (2020); Influence of Mothers/Grandmothers Coviewing Cartoons With Children on Children’s Viewing Experience.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7326029/ - Pros And Cons Of Letting Your Child Watch TV
https://startingblocks.gov.au/resources/parenting-and-home/play-and-leisure-activities/pros-and-cons-of-letting-your-child-watch-tv
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