What is a good educational cartoon for a 4 year old?

Question

OK Gem My lil one is 4 and I have spent her whole life as a stay at home mom entertaining her. I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a break.

Answer 1

bules cules dora the expoler not just tv playing is good and reading toghter playing toghter and stuff like that

Answer 2

little Einsteins

Answer 3

pbs kids it got all educational cartoon

Answer 4

anything on pbs kids

Answer 5

Science: Peep and the Big Wide World

Reading: Super Why

Math: Miffy And Friends

Music and Art: Little Einsteins

Multiple Subjects: Blue's Clues, Hi-5 (live-action, but wonderful)

These are shows that my daughter loves, and that I've found to have really taught her a lot.

My suggestion is to tune in to PBS Kids, Discovery Kids, and The Learning Channel to see exactly what is out there for your child, and what you like.

Some of the shows on these stations are really well done and educational, some of them, honestly, aren't. Only you know his/her needs, and what he/she will like.

As for anyone knocking the fact that you're going to let your child watch TV, don't listen. Every stay at home mom (me included) needs a break, and a half hour here and there isn't a bad thing. Plopping your child in front of the tv all day as a babysitter is.

What I like to do is watch these shows with my daughter and be involved. I ask her questions about what she is viewing, and help her to notice things that she may be overlooking.

Answer 6

Dora, The Explorer!

Answer 7

The shows on PBS Kids, Playhouse Disney, and Nick Jr. are appropriate and at least somewhat educational. (PBS, obviously, is more educational in terms of academic/school-related stuff, but the other channels give more life lessons like friendship, social skills, etc.) However, never underestimate the greatness of old kids' shows (seriously, nothing on TV today can even begin to compare with the stuff from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s). For example, remember The Letter People, The Electric Company, Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street (the classic stuff, not "the Elmo show" they try to pass as Sesame Street today), The Puzzle Place, or Adventures in Wonderland? Those were all great shows, and I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of all the great stuff the past has to offer. Obviously, it's more difficult to find that stuff these days (although it's becoming easier, like with the Sesame Street Old School DVDs- which are not "inappropriate for children"...), but Youtube has a goldmine of these shows, not to mention that most old kids' shows have whole online fan communities that will be more than happy to give you information and help you find tapes, DVDs, etc. of the shows.

Answer 8

I have a thing about Barney-I CAN'T STAND HIM- but my son and most young children love him, and he has learned so much from that rediculous show.  I also have found that Dora and Diego, Mickey Mouse Playhouse and Little Einstiens are good- they are interactive and ask questions for the kids to answer. My son stands in front of the TV and answers the questions- I LOVE IT!

Answer 9

Word World - enjoy!

Answer 10

Elmo

Dragon Tails

Dora

Handy Manny

Seasame Street

Little Einsteins

Really and show on PBS kids

Answer 11

Dora the exployer

Answer 12

I think SuperWhy on PBS is the best educational cartoon out there now.

That being said:

Shows shown on PBS under "PBS Kids" are consistently good.  No commericals which helps.

Most shows during the "preschool" blocks of Disney (Playhouse Disney) and Nickelodian (Nick Jr.) are okay as well - although many aren't really educational so much as just safe - although they are beginning to change that.  

Some teach social skills, some reading, some logical thinking.

My personal favorites right now are:

Super Why!  on PBS - one of the best reading shows I've ever seen

Charlie & Lola on Disney -  very sweet show with an older brother and younger sister.

Cyberchase - on PBS - a bit over the head of a 4 y.o. but they are introduced to good math concepts.

Little Einsteins - on Disney - music and art

And I love Backyardigans.

Answer 13

Blue's Clues and Elmo's World.

Answer 14

I guess it depends upon what you want y our child to learn.  Most anything you find on Playhouse Disney, Nick Jr., PBS, or Noggin is pretty educational for kids.  You can check out their web sites to learn what the shows intend to impart, educationally and developmentally - they also have wonderful games that help pre-schoolers develop web skills and so much more.  Here are some of the sites:

PlayhouseDisney.com

Noggin.com

PBSKids.org

We are computer consultants and our kids got on line quite early.  There are some terrific sites that can teach your kids virtually anything.  StarFall.com springs to mind - taught both of my kids to ready by the time they were 4.  

There are amazing resources out there and don't let anyone say you shouldn't use them, if you want to.  Boo to the person who gives you a hard time about the choices you make.

Peace!

Answer 15

Dora the Explorer (My daughter's Favorite)

Blue's Clues

Sesame Street

Go Diego?

Baby Einstein

Barney (Don't like him, but my daughter loved him!)

Most cartoons on PBS are educational. But it can't compare to you teaching your child.

Answer 16

Yourself. Acting crazy and make some time is what you need for your 4 year boy because when you do that some crazy and silly character won't be his favorite. You'll be his favorite. You'll be the best of everything for him. I am not saying that don't let your kid whatch cartoon but don't fed them up with a bunch of looney TV character that going to scandalize later and will depress your kid.

Think about it.

Answer 17

These are not cartoons but i suggest backyardagans or the wiggles. they sing and teach children social and behavorial skills. they are fun too. my grandson loves them. we all love to move with the beat and these characters enhance movement while teaching educational skills for preschool age children.