Noggin Vs. Sprout: Preschool TV Programming

My three-year-old daughter counts to ten in two languages, sings her alphabet, and knows her colors and shapes. She also knows Dora, Diego, Sagwa, Angelina Ballerina and a slue of other pre-school characters. It's the results of preschool TV programming.

My daughter watches both Noggin and Sprout, Two channels designed to entertain and educate preschoolers. But how do they really compare? Here's a head to head comparison.

Platform

Although both channels cater to the preschool audience and their caregivers, they do so in different ways.

Noggin is the only commercial-free educational channel, but only airs during the crucial learning hours of 6am-6pm (eastern time).

Sprout is the only 24 hour preschool programming; however, it does run advertising.

Objective

The both channels also have a slightly different mission.

Noggin's mission focuses on connected learning. Connected learning is the concept that "children make connections between essential curricular content and the world they know." Noggin approaches connected learning by using TV formats that are interactive; by repeating a learning situation while approaching it from slightly different angle; by providing learning that is contextual and grounded in research; and by taking multidisciplinary, curriculum-based material and making it applicable and demonstrable.

Sprout has very similar objectives providing connected learning experiences with gold-standard PBS classics like Sesame Street, while attempting to provide programming that will mirror daily preschool activities. Daytime programming is designed to get children up and moving while evening programming is designed to help calm them down, much like the structured play of preschools.

Programming

Noggin strives for an interactive approach and its programming delivers. Programming like Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, The Upside Down Show, Blues Clues, and Pinky Dinky Doo, encourage viewer participation in physical activity and cognitive problem solving.

Sprout provides programming that is day part appropriate with more intense educational programming in the morning and passive programming in the evening.

Multimedia

Both channels have websites with games and activities that underscore key learning and detailed programming information. My three-year-old already has early computer skills, scrolling the mouse and double-clicking due to complete on-line activities.

Preschooler's Opinion

My daughter clearly prefers Noggin during the day. The interactive programming facilitates play rather than passive TV viewing. In the evening she likes to lay down and watch the "Good Night Show" on Sprout, a block of programming that includes 15 minute segments of popular shows while underscoring the importance of bedtime routine.

Mom's Opinion

Although, I grew up with PBS and loved Sesame Street as a child, if I had to choose between the two channels I would have to go with noggin. I appreciate their commercial free format. Although, my child is still subject to the marketing of her favorite characters, Noggin provides a safe haven from the daily bombardment of overpriced toys and process foods. Noggin uses that crucial advertising time to run small learning pieces that are repeated with enough frequency to make a substantial impact.

I'm glad I don't have to choice, however. It's nice to have a preschool option after 6pm. Many evenings my daughter and I have snuggled together watching "The Goodnight Show" and it has been a soothing presence when my daughter was up sick in the middle of the night.