Ages 6-9
Dr. King – Documentary
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Good Ol' Values, HistoryWhat’s Smart About It: Host Tom Brokaw brings to life the heroic story of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and displays the leader’s remarkable journey for civil rights and racial integration
Grossology
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Nickelodeon, Recommended by KIDS FIRST!, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: Follow along as Ty and Abby fight invading bacteria, viruses and other nasty things on a battlefield that just happens to be in someones body…Gross! The duo usesscience and a knowledge of biology to beat back the invaders.
DogTown
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Good Ol' Values, National Geographic, Recommended by Parents' Choice FoundationWhat’s Smart About It: More than just dogs are saved here at America’s largest no kill animal shelter. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteer staff many of these animals get to find new loving homes. Some episodes show sick animals that might upset the younger viewers, but overall this show was made for young ones that would like to learn more about animal care.
The Cosby Show
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Good Ol' Values, Recommended by Parents Television Council, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: One of the first and maybe the best network programs that featured a professional African-American family. Great parents are raising respectful and interesting kids, and with every episode there’s a problem to overcome with some commonsense and a whole lot of love.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Recommended by Parents Television Council, Safe and FunWhat’s Smart About It: It’s amazing to learn how much you forgot. This is a trivia game show that has adults competing against the kids. It’s simple, kind, good, clean fun.
Cool Fuel
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, Discovery, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: Did you know used french fry oil can power a truck? A wily Australian and his scrappy dog travel around the US on homemade zero emission vehicles and teach great lessons about energy and the environment. The science is easy enough for a child to follow but captures the interest of nearly everyone who watches.
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.
Time Team America
Ages 6-9, Ages 9-11, History, PBS, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: Want a reality show but can’t stand the trash? What about a reality show that has teams using the latest technology to excavate historic sites around the nation? Get your metal detector and shovel, you’ll feel like you’re working right next to them
Bindi: The Jungle Girl
Ages 6-9, Discovery, Recommended by Common Sense Media, ScienceWhat’s Smart About It: Develops kids’ appreciation for nature and the need to preserve animals’ habitats.
Little People, Big World
Ages 6-9, Discovery, Good Ol' Values, Recommended by Parents Television CouncilWhat’s Smart About It: A family faces and overcomes amazing challenges, a model of strength and compassion.
