1. Charlie and Lola on The Disney Channel. English siblings (Charlie is probably 11, Lola is 5) who love one another and treat each other with kindness and patience. This whimsical program's opening is narrated by Charlie, "I have this little sister. Lola. She is small and very funny." Regular viewing of this program has infused Dumpling with a proper and constant British accent.
2. Handy Manny is relatively new on The Disney Channel. This hispanic handyman and his cleverly-named tools (Felipe the Phillips-head screw driver, Stretch the tape measure, Squeeze the pliers, Pat the hammer, etc.) move through his small town providing valuable service to everyone from the pet store owner to little old ladies and the miniature golf course owner. There's one comb-over kind of shopkeeper on the block who is always trying to fix or install something that is above his pay-grade; Manny always politely offers to help, but his advances are always cordially rebuffed. I'm not sure if there is a "statement" in there, but the kids don't care. There is a little bit of Espanol and a lot of positive work ethic and self-respect to be gained through Manny's example.
3. Little Bear on Noggin. Occasionally we must skip an episode for an unhealthy emphasis on magic, but mostly this sweet, older contemporary standby (it hit the air over a decade ago, and I don't think it's still in production) is very well enjoyed by my younger girls. I like the imaginativeness of the main characters, the clarity and correctness of their speech and the darling relationship between family members -- young, old and older.
4. Little Einsteins, also on The Disney Channel. These characters aren't as compelling as on some programs, but then the show really isn't about them. It's about the great art and worth-while music each episode introduces to young viewers.
5. Between The Lions on PBS. This show has caught me by surprise at times in the past with some veiled adult innuendo, but the children don't catch it and the visuals, songs, skits and animation have served to help each of my three readers progress past that, "This is too hard!" stage of reading. This show has truly been an asset.
6. Zoboomafoo on PBS is a fun and informative animal science program hosted by a couple of mildly goofy brothers. I appreciate that they don't talk down to the children as they employ a sense of humor, and that they don't shelve their masculinity during the sight-gags.
7. Jojo's Circus on The Disney Channel is just plain cute. She's welcoming, inclusive and always kind. Who wouldn't like a sweet-sounding, oversized red-head whose best friend is a lion named Goliath? And at the end of every episode, Jojo narrates what she learned that day; Charlotte Mason would be proud.
8. The Andy Griffith Show on TVLand (or DVD) is enjoyed by every member of our family. The black and whites are our favorites. There is always a lesson to be learned and they, like many worthwhile stories, inspire the children to narrate what they've seen -- and that kind of mental exercise is always profitable.
9. Davey and Goliath on Trinity Broadcasting System (or DVD) is claymation from the 60s and 70s. It's familiar Lutheran theme, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God is the tip-off that moral Christian character will be the name of the game (even if the storylines do move through the muck that is foolishness bound up in the heart of a child to get there).
10. The Backyardigans on Nick Jr. is 5 little puppet friends who enjoy grand adventure in their own backyard. Their imaginations turn the space into anything they want it to be. The animation is also intriguing if you watch closely during the step movements (aka: dancing).
11. Oswald on Noggin is, like Little Bear, out of production I believe. It's animation is simple and its storylines are safe. Fifi watched this one when she was younger and we spent more time in front of the big grey box.
12. Dora the Explorer on Nick Jr. is tired, I'm afraid. But for the child who hasn't seen the program, there is much to gain, including a little bit of Spanish vocabulary. I'm guessing that Dora is short for Computadora, which is the Spanish word for computer (which the program is themed around).
13. Go, Diego, Go! on Nick Jr. is a spin-off of Dora, presumably for boys. My children picked up right away that Diego and Dora are the same voice.
6 comments:
I used to love Little Bear. It is so sweet. We still love Classic Pooh, too.
My almost 2-yr-old LOVES Charlie and Lola! It is such a great show with a great message to kids!
I thought I commented below, referring to this one because comment option wasn't there, but it's gone. Hmmm. That goofy cyberspace!
Thanks for your very kind comment on my In My Skin post. Made me feel good!
I see a lot of these programs (or at least hear them) when the kiddoes are here. They love Dora and Diego. We get Little Bear and Pooh at the library all the time. Little Einstins music is great. They pretty much like all the same ones - and I still LOVE Andy Griffith. Nothing better was ever nade IMO.
Is Zoboomafoo still on? It doesn't come on our PBS anymore :o(
We get pre-recorded tv shows-on the Armed Forces Network due to being oversees which I let them watch in the morning so we get some of the ones you listed above. It really does help in the morning when I am trying to get some chores done. :)
As we have no television reception (I am still waiting for Sky Angel - we couldn't get a satelite feed where we used to live, too many trees and too close to the horizon)I have not seen many of these ever or for years. I have seen Charlie and Lola courtesy of the public library movies, very cute. Didn't know that Davey and Goliath were still around.
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