The Best Kid’s Cartoons: What is Your Child Watching?

Your children, as you know, should not be watching a lot of television when they are young. Even when they get older, a lot of television will not be a good idea, as it keeps them from more active and mind stimulating pursuits.

 

Not all cartoons are meant for kids. In fact, many are definitely NOT meant for kids!! Among the many kids’ cartoons out there, how do you decide which ones are okay — perhaps even good — for your child to watch?
Child sitting in front of a television

From “Looney Tunes” to “SpongeBob SquarePants,” kids’ cartoons have been entertaining children for decades. Today, there is more cartoon programming than ever before to choose from, including shows that look like they may be for kids but have adult themes and humor. Before you introduce your child to a seemingly innocent kids’ cartoon, do your research to see what’s age appropriate, say media experts.

Not all kids’ cartoons are kid friendly, Jen Singer, the editor of MommaSaid.net, reminds parents. “The mistake that parents make is assuming that all cartoons — simply because they are animated — are OK for kids, but hello, ‘Family Guy.'” says Singer regarding the adult show. They often aren’t, though. Your child might be attracted by the animation, but the content may really not suitable for children.

When you find a program your child is interested in, take time to listen to the characters’ dialog. “I chose kids’ cartoons by how the characters talked to each other,” says Singer, recalling when her who teen children were younger “If I didn’t want my kids to say what was coming out of the characters’ mouths, they didn’t watch it. Sorry, Bart Simpson!”

Before introducing a new cartoon to your child, no matter what the age, Boursaw urges parents to check out the Parents Television Council website for great resources and reviews of cartoons and TV shows. “There’s a wealth of info. there, including family viewing guides, studies and reports, and picks of the week,” she says.

Toddler Television
Jane Boursaw, editor of the entertainment site ReelLifeWithJane, says to stick with a tried-and-true channel, such as PBS Kids, for choosing appropriate cartoons for toddlers. “They carry shows like ‘Caillou,’ ‘Curious George,’ ‘Barney,’ ‘Sesame Street’ and ‘Arthur,'” she says. “You can’t go wrong with these shows that are gentle, sweet and educational.”

PBS is also home to other cartoons that toddlers will enjoy, including the longtime favorite “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “The Magic School Bus,” “Dragon Tales” and “Curious George.” The PBS Kids site also has sections with tips and educational resources for parents and teachers.

Cartoons for Preschoolers
Cartoons aren’t just about entertainment either. Cartoons for preschoolers such as Nick Jr.’s “Dora the Explorer,” “Bubble Guppies” and “Team Umizoomi” can teach early reading and math skills, while PBS’ “Sid the Science Kid” touches on, well, science.

Singer recommends the PBS cartoon “Cyberchase” for grade-schoolers, which follows a team that solves math mysteries and …

Read more: https://www.care.com/a/the-best-kids-cartoons-what-is-your-child-watching-20150624233022

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