Ages 3-6
Team Umizoomi
Ages 3-6, Nickelodeon, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: A great preschool aged show that tackles math skills with color, energy and characters that will keep your kids engaged. From the folks who brought you Blue’s Clues, parents now have a kid’s show that goes beyond simple counting and provides a format that encourages kids to work through questions themselves.
Little Einsteins
Ages 3-6, Arts and Reading, Disney, Recommended by Common Sense MediaWhat’s Smart About It: Four precocious preschool friends make discoveries, work as a team and use their special musical talents. Each episode has a mission and journey of discovery that incorporates a celebrated piece of classical music and a renowned work of art or world culture.
The Upside Down Show
Ages 3-6, Good Ol' Values, Nickelodeon, Recommended by Common Sense Media, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: Two brothers that don’t get out much (literally) take preschoolers on adventures in every episode in this live action show. There are lessons taught such as cooperation, meeting friends and thinking about the world around them.
Oobi
Ages 3-6, Nickelodeon, Recommended by Common Sense MediaWhat’s Smart About It: Yup, they’re just hand puppets, but their cute simplicity is just the start of this fun and supportive world for preschoolers. Show themes are focused om making friends, good habits and dealing with problems.
Charlie & Lola
Ages 3-6, Disney, Good Ol' Values, Recommended by Common Sense Media, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: Adorable British siblings are having fun learning about new foods, getting a haircut and losing a tooth. The show is simple, and kind, the characters are articulate and provide a great example for kids.
The Backyardigans
Ages 3-6, Good Ol' Values, Nickelodeon, Recommended by Parents' Choice Foundation, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: These five silly animals have big imaginations, musical skills, funky dance moves and hope to keep your little ones moving and engaged int heir creative stories that start from…yup, their backyard. Get the song lyrics online and sing along.
Yo Gabba Gabba!
Ages 3-6, Good Ol' Values, Nickelodeon, Recommended by KIDS FIRST!, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It:DJ Lance Rock gets your little ones up dancing, moving and shaking while teaching lessons like forgiveness, friendship and healthy eating. Great colors and characters draw kids in to this fun and educational techno colored world.
Amazing Planet
Ages 3-6, Ages 6-9, National Geographic, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: The Earth has changed quite a bit and it continues to do so every day with help from wind, fire, earthquakes and water. Amazing time-lapse photography and computer modeling predict the shape of our future earth.
Sesame Street
Ages 3-6, Arts and Reading, Good Ol' Values, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: It’s not just about letters, numbers, shapes and colors on Sesame Street. Big issues are tackled as well, such as, missing a family member, loneliness, even poor self esteem. In the end the messages are always positive and helpful. Sesame Street has been on for 40 years and has introduced children to everything from different cultures, people and ideas, to the fuzziest Muppets of all time.
WordWorld
Ages 3-6, Arts and Reading, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense MediaWhat’s Smart About It: A group of animal ‘WordFriends’ teach preschool kids how to solve problems by building the right word. Words come alive and characters in this animated children’s show.
