There are television executives who will tell you their networks show educational programming for children, you know, like stations did after Congress passed the Children’s Television Act of 1990. Most of the stations the FCC polled in 1993 to see how well they followed the act complied simply because they listed “The Jetsons” as educational. Hey, it’s in the future, right? What’s more educational than the future?
The FCC quickly fixed that problem, but “educational” shows are still under scrutiny. However, truly educational programs are out there. Here are the Top Five Most Educational Shows On Television for The Kids:
#5. Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman: For children six to twelve years old, this Emmy-winning program is a combination game show/reality program hosted by the animated dog Ruff Ruffman who sends real-life child contestants (filmed during the summer when they’re out of school, of course) on challenges, such as learning about germs how to make a healthy pizza. The show was canceled in 2010, but can still be seen on PBS stations.
#4. Super Why: Follow the stories of Whyatt and his friends Red, Pig, and Princess, as they take children from the town of Storybook Village on adventures through fairytales like Hansel and Gretel, and Jack and the Beanstalk, teaching them the alphabet, phonics, spelling, and problem solving along the way.
#3. Word World: This three-time Emmy award winning program stars Duck and his WordFriends who take preschool-aged children on adventures through literacy, starting with the WordFriends themselves. The bodies of the WordFriends, Frog, Sheep, Pig, Dog, and Ant, are built of the letters that make up their name.
#2. Cyberchase: Three human mathematicians, Jackie, Matt, and Inez, use their math skills in the computer world of cyberspace to defeat the cartoon villain the Hacker, voiced by “Back to the Future” actor Christopher Lloyd. The show’s goal is to teach children that math is all around us, and everyone can be good at it. Cyberchase has won an Emmy even though one of the animated characters is voiced by comedian Gilbert Gottfried.
#1. Sesame Street: Taking the spot of the best children’s educational program is the grandfather of them all. On air since 1969, Sesame Street has educated generations of children. Featuring the Muppets Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Zoe, and Oscar the Grouch, the show educates through entertainment.
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