BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Pick Educational TV Programming

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

Rate: (0 Ratings)

Although too much television isn't a good idea for young children, a few carefully chosen educational TV programs can be a great teaching tool. Programs that focus on early reading skills, math concepts and language development are a positive influence on learning and growth.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

TV program guide

Step1

Take a look at the program guide for the TV stations you subscribe to. PBS and Noggin provide preschool programming throughout the day. Discovery Kids caters to the older child with adventure and science programs.

Step2

Decide how much time you want to allow for TV watching per day. One hour per day is a good place to begin. Adjust for older kids who want to watch special programs. For preschoolers, no more than an hour is advisable.

Step3

Look for detailed descriptions on the shows that interest you. These can be found on the corresponding stations website.

Step4

Choose programs for early literacy. Shows that promote letter and sound recognition combined with phonics and sound blends build pre-reading skills.

Step5

Consider programs that focus on numbers, what they look like and how they relate to one another. This should also include sorting and grouping by color, size and shape.

Step6

Include programs for older children that reinforce what they are doing in school. Shows like Cyber Chase are designed to improve developing math skills and how they relate to everyday life. The Magic School Bus brings science to life and has resources that follow a curriculum.

Step7

Think about programs that offer content about relationships for the preschooler. Sesame Street does a great job with concepts like "inside," "outside," "bigger," "smaller" and "between." These are important preschool building blocks.

Tips & Warnings

Watch TV with your child as much as possible. This will give you opportunities to reinforce the concepts they will learn.
Look for educational DVDs of the shows you like best at your local library.

Comments

MusicalMommy said

Flag This Comment

on 3/9/2008 I was so excited to read your article and find someone who shares my view that TV for kids is best used for educational programs.

I was disappointed, however, that you left out music, while mentioning early math and reading skills. Music develops both halves of the brain in a way that nothing else does! The benenfits of music for children is extensive and well-accepted.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of educational music shows around. Most just allow kids to experience music. The best one that I have found is a DVD entitled "Trebellina." It is actually amazing. It teaches young children (up to age 4) how to read music, introduces pitch and instrument names and sounds. [It taught my kids to read music at obscenely young ages -- which is a gift for which I will be forever grateful.]

There is also a language series out by the BBC entitled Muzzy that teaches foreign lan