Which Educational Shows Get a Thumbs-Up from Both Parents and Kids?

Choosing which educational shows on television are worth letting your kids watch can be a frustrating process. Parents prefer that the content inform and model positive behaviors and values but kids must also be engaged and entertained. Our family has a list of top five educational shows (including those on cable network) that rate high with both our preschool-aged kids and with us parents.

5 - "Wow Wow Wubbzy" on Nick Jr. This would be the number one pick if our four-year-old was the only judge --he has an obsessive affection for it. It features a set of four memorable friends that are neither humans nor classifiable animals. There are interesting plotlines that not only deal with issues that all kids can relate with, but some episodes also highlight current events or people in popular culture. A clear moral lesson is woven into each show, teaching a value such as honesty, self-acceptance, and persistence. It doesn't directly teach The Three Rs like a typically-educational show would, though, so it didn't rate higher on the list.

4 - "Super Why" on the PBS channels. This educational show is all about enhancing kids reading skills with a touch of problem-solving added. A team of "super reader" superheroes with individual "powers" help solve a true-to-life problem through a hunt in books for "super letters". The reading skill set taught through direct instruction is unquestionably important, so it rates higher for that reason, although it isn't as engaging as other shows in our top 5.

3 - "Zaboomafoo" on PBS. Strangely named, this animal and nature show has unusually high energy for its type. The Kratt Brothers, with the help of a puppet lemur named, Zaboo, spotlight a different animal or nature topic each episode. There is a lot of play while they give a myriad of facts and it taps into a child's natural curiosity for the world around him.

2 - "Blue's Clues" on Nick Jr. This pup has been on the air for years now, but its appeal and relevance remains strong. An ingenious mix of live action and animation, "Blue's Clues" teaches all sorts of school-worthy skills in a kid-captivating way. I like that it uses well-written songs and a think-aloud style of problem-solving.

1 - "The Upside-Down Show" on Nick Jr. A pair of Australian "brothers" performs their clever antics centered around inventive uses of the remote control from the comfort of their living room. Imagination is the key in their world as they travel from room to room in the quest of one thing or another. Children can glean a greater vocabulary, problem-solving skills, and models of cooperation as they giggle along to the silliness. Admittedly, both of us parents giggle right along with them. I think the acting is fantastic.