The Best Shows for Kids

Are Some Shows Better Than Others?

In modern society, screen time can be hard to avoid. We pushed off watching TV for as long as possible with our toddler, and luckily, she wasn't all that interested (there were times when the TV was on and she was in the room). The first time she sat and was engaged in a show started around 2/2.5 years old. At that point, I had not done much research and knew nothing about the fact that some shows are better than others. I thought TV was TV, and to avoid it as much as we could. A friend had told us that their child loved Miss Rachel, and so we tried it. She was mesmerized. After a few months, we were annoyed and getting creeped out by adults talking in baby voices, it was time to read up on things. I learned a lot about the addictive theme songs, colors used in shows, the length of a program, and frames per second. We switched to better options, and instantly, the TV no longer became a source of meltdowns when it was time to turn it off. Switch up the programs you allow your child to watch and see if it makes a difference. I can now easily spot what I would call an approved show. 

Here is a list of our go-to better kids' television show options.

1. Trash Truck

A sweet, gentle animated series on Netflix aimed at preschoolers. It follows a curious 6-year-old boy named Hank and his best friend, Trash Truck – an expressive, oversized garbage truck – as they explore the world together with a few other friends. It is beautifully animated and has a calming feel.

2. Puffin Rock

Adored by both kids and adults, Puffin Rock features soothing narration and the nature-based adventures of sibling puffins. The tone is very soothing with soft colors and gentle music, it is great for winding down, quiet time, or before bedtime.

3. Llama llama

A cozy animated series for preschoolers, based on the popular picture books by Anna Dewdney. Each episode is a slice-of-life story focused on Llamaa learning to handle everyday situations. It is presented in a gentle, supportive tone, with lots of focus on emotional development and social skills.

4. Peppa Pig

One of the most iconic and widely loved preschool shows globally – it is cheeky, simple, and super repeatable. The episodes are short and perfect for tiny attention spans. Some critics say Peppa's attitude can come off a bit bratty or bossy, depending on your kid; that might be good or bad. For our timid toddler, a show with a confident main character is a win.

5. Elinor Wonders Why

A gentle, curiosity-driven animated series. It is designed to help young children learn how to ask questions, think critically, and explore the world around them. Each episode includes real-word science segments and musical interludes or short educational videos.