The Approved List
There are a lot of options for children’s programming these days, and not all of it is good. Several years ago, Bionca and I decided that we would control what our children would watch, the criteria if very subjective, and based on the quality of the show, and how annoying it is or isn’t. Here’s the current list. We’ll update this as we find new shows.
Approved List
- Jack’s Big Music Show – They really have some great music on this show.
- Backyardagains – They are creative and clever, and have good music.
- Sesame Street – Decades of brilliance.
- Franklin – Very benign, and some diversity in stories
- Little Bear – I don’t know this show either, and trust Bionca’s judgment.
- Little Bill – Great characters, and stories.
- Super Why – Bionca likes it. I have no clue what it is.
- Cid the Science Kid – Never seen it, but Bionca likes it, and I like the name.
- Max and Ruby – While it is a bit repetitive, the characters are entertaining.
- Sponge Bob – I’ll watch this on my own.
- Little Einsteins – Pretty cute and not too much repetition.
Not Approved
- Dora the Explorer – She yells all the time, and that is annoying, and to top it off, every show is exactly the same.
- Yo Gaba Gaba – I can’t get over the character that looks like a dildo.
- Wonder Pets – It’s the same damn thing every time. Hire a real animator.
Prety good list, John and I did the same – one reason why our kids really don’t know what the heck Bob the Builder or Boomba is and a few others….here is what I would add (if you ask me) Word World, Mickey Mouse Club House and Little Einsteins (also Word Girl, but that is for later really)
Where’s SpongeBob?
Thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming! I updated the list. I didn’t add Mickey Mouse Clubhouse because if I remember right, Bionca has a specific opinion on that show, but I don’t remember if she likes it or hates it.
GRAB YOUR BACKPACK!
Leave yourself a reminder to re-read this list in August….. of 2012.
You’re missing Go Diego Go, wherever that one stands. Personally I think Alicia is pretty hot.
What it boils down to though is if a show engages your kid and is enriching, you just deal with it. They get less annoying over time (though I still hate Max and Ruby). You’ll never turn the channel when your kid is enjoying the show and unfortunately you don’t really get to pick.
BTW, Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom is only $1.99 on the App store right now. Might want to go ahead and pick that one up
Dora heads up the banned list. I hate her. I don’t have to worry about shows coming on that I don’t like, since there is this nice feature on just about every TV called parental controls, where you can block by rating, or by show.
Dora is blocked. She can take her map, and go to hell.
I forgot to add Curious George, not only is he cute and LOVEABLE!! His show focuses on math unlike most shows out that there. It gets this mom’s two thumbs up.
In defense of Wonder Pets, repetition is good for kids and if you can teach your kids that no matter their size they can do big things and that working as a team is a good – thats a great thing.
I have no feeling towards Diego or Handy Manny but I don’t mine Evan watching them.
As for your blocks on your tv, peanut will get that show you hate other ways, example – Sponge Bob doesn’t come on in our house, but we don’t ask people to turn it off, so it is almost like a treat for them to see it. So Dora will most likely have some place in your little person’s heart…LOL!
Oh and Blue’s Clue – but you have to search for that show….but I love it!
I’m done for now!
Some repetition is fine, as it reinforces lessons, but too much makes me go crazy, and means that the kids are quickly not challenged.