As a parent, it can be difficult to find television shows that are both entertaining and educational for your children. Fortunately, there are several excellent options available that are sure to keep your little ones captivated.
Two of the best TV shows for children are ‘Hey Duggee’ and ‘Bluey’. Both shows provide a great balance of fun and learning, making them ideal for children of all ages. With their engaging storylines and colourful characters, these shows are sure to become favourites in your household.
It is widely accepted that watching television can have a positive impact on children’s development, but it is important to consider the age at which a child begins to watch television.
According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, children under the age of two should not watch television at all. Young children’s brains are still developing and too much television could negatively affect their cognition and language development.
There are potential risks associated with watching television at a young age. Too much television can lead to a decrease in physical activity and an increase in obesity. It can also lead to a decrease in creative play, and can even lead to an increase in aggressive behaviour.
Parents should consider the age at which their child should begin watching television and limit their time. This will help their child develop properly and avoid any potential negative effects from watching television so early on.
However, as children age, television can act as a valuable support system for education outside of school hours. Television can reinforce lessons being taught in the classroom in an enjoyable and stimulating way.
It can also help with emotional development by providing an important window of time to reflect. They can develop their style of social interaction and be inspired by new ideas from their favourite characters.
‘Hey Duggee’ is a popular British show that follows the adventures of a dog named Duggee and his group of animal friends. The show focuses on teamwork and encourages children to engage with their environment and learn new skills. Each episode features a variety of fun activities and challenges that are both entertaining and educational.
‘Bluey’ is an Australian animated series that centres around a lovable blue heeler puppy and her family. The show explores themes of family, friendship, and imaginative play, and encourages children to use their creativity and problem-solving skills. ‘Bluey’ has become a hit with children around the world and has won numerous awards for its innovative storytelling and engaging characters.
In ‘Hey Duggee’ they look at friendships and what that means for young children whose feelings are heightened. ‘Bluey’ is mostly focused on family and the domesticity of squabbles and day-to-day life as a family.
Each of these TV shows portray great examples of communication and boundary setting. They develop at a slow pace, allowing for reflective periods at the end of lessons so that children can focus on what they’ve just learnt, giving them time to digest the information.
A show reminiscent of Sesame Street is the Netflix show ‘Word Party’ which is about creating a party of words i.e. teaching important language and linguistic skills. It’s all done through the lens of the child being the teacher, teaching the animated animal characters how to form words and sentences.
This model allows children to learn leadership skills which will stay with them further on as well as learn the basics surrounding letters and word formation that is a fun foundation for the content they will be learning at school.
While there are many excellent television shows for children, it's important to note that not all programs are created equal. One such example is the popular show Cocomelon. While this show has gained a large following, it has also been criticised for its simplistic and formulaic approach to storytelling.
Recently there has been a widespread outrage that ‘Cocomelon’ is hurting children’s cognitive behaviour. Experts have found it is overstimulating the developing brain and begins acting as a drug – “the brain gets a hit of dopamine from screen-time and it seems that the stronger the ‘drug’ aka the level of stimulation a show delivers, the stronger the ‘hit.” (Jerrica Sannes, 2021).
Parents across social media in lockdown complained of their toddlers exhibiting signs of aggression and intense negative reactions to being away from the television. However, after showing them the aforementioned shows instead, there was a significant shift in how they interacted with television as well as with their parents and peers.
If you're looking for the best TV shows for children, ‘Hey Duggee’ and ‘Bluey’ are excellent choices that are entertaining and educational. By providing your children with engaging and stimulating programming, you can help them develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
When it comes to finding the best television shows for children, it's important to consider the impact that the programming can have on their development. Children are like sponges, and they absorb information and ideas from the world around them at a rapid pace.
