I am very picky when it comes to television shows my children watch. Even more picky when it comes to what I watch while they are awake. I could not be more thankful for a station such as Noggin. I have known of the station Noggin for quite awhile but only recently did I discover the cartoons on it actually meet my approval. Some of them I do not let me daughters watch however there are quite a few that I personally enjoy and my daughters get a real kick out of.

Each of the shows they broadcast on noggin encourage some type of development for preschoolers. Their station is aimed towards preschool age children and older. While my daughters are 22 months and 8 months, they still enjoy the shows that they get to watch. More so, my oldest. Some of our favorites are:

Dora The Explorer
Dora the explorer is a very interactive show. The theme song of it is what gets my oldest attention. She has fun yelling ‘No’ and ‘Yes’ at the screen when questions are asked. While she doesn’t always get it right, she is trying and she is learning. Dora The Explorer also encourages the Spanish language. While I am still working on the English language with my oldest, I do not see anything wrong with helping my child to be bi-lingual as she gets older. Here in the United States so many languages are spoken, the most prominent being English & Spanish. Dora The Explorer also encourages Problem Solving Skills and helps to teach colors, numbers, and basic terms we are encouraging with our children.

Wonder Pets
Wonder Pets is another show that I allow my daughters to watch. Not just because it is cute but it is another show that teaches Problem Solving. There is a lot of singing and music, which is a huge hit with both of my girls. It also teaches children how to be helpful. While toddlers may not be pulling a thorn out of a Tiger’s paw, maybe one day I’ll be able to trust my daughters will come to me when someone is hurt and even try to help out!

Blue’s Clues
I am sure most of us are all aware of the infamous Blue’s Clues. This particular show has been around for quite awhile. This is another child-based show that focuses on Problem Solving. Helping Steve find the clue’s that Blue left. This show not only encourages friendship but demonstrates sharing, teaches colors, numbers and numerous different developmental skills. My daughter has since learned the word ‘Blue’, obviously. But it is not just the dog that is being called ‘Blue’ she has been able to identify the color ‘Blue’ throughout our entire household.

Backyardigans
Backyardigans is an extremely interactive broadcast that encourages the use of your imagination. These characters can transform anything into what they want it to be. I’ve seen episodes where they are in a museum, in outer-space, and beyond. They do this all from their backyard. Very interactive music, dance moves and songs to sing along too. They also have a live-tour that has started and I am very interested in taking my eldest to one of their shows, considering the whole time will be a bunch of dancing. Have I mentioned my oldest loves to dance?

While there are many great shows to mention, I try not to let my children be raised by the television. It is a great distraction, especially when your busy, but I try to leave my time for things I have to do, for when one of those four shows are on. Most of our time at home is spent with no television on.

Noggin is a great station for preschoolers and I would personally suggest it and the above shows to any Mother who is worried what is aimed towards our kids. This day in age we have to be picky about what our kids watch. There are a lot of cartoons out there that are aimed towards older children so be careful what you choose to be your child’s daily program. Some cartoon’s have shocked me by what is being said and done. So please be careful.

If you click on the links for each show above, it will describe each show in more detail and will also provide activities for your kids. I find this extremely helpful now and I am sure I will in the future.

Do you allow your children to watch TV? If so, which shows do you permit?

Vanessa is a mother of two, very young, daughters. She’s constantly pulling her heart out and giving lots of love.

Image credit to ne_atl from Flickr