One of the main concerns of people and programs is about kid’s obesity. The rate of childhood obesity is soaring. Schools and restaurants seem to be trying to get kids moving and making healthy food choices as well.

So….why don’t they make a Biggest Loser- kids edition?? They could tape it during the summer while kids are on break, and make it like a “health camp” style show. They could learn food preparation, get counseling and work out with trainers. Now, it may not have to be as grueling as the one for adults, but kids need the education to stop their un-healthy habits.

What do you think? Do you think there would be a better show to help get kids educated??

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Discovery kids online has a  list of their shows, tv schedule, fun & games, and videos to watch. One of the more familiar shows is Bindi the Jungle Girl. Bindi Irwin is the daughter of the late animal adventurer Steve Irwin. She now has her own educational show teaching kids about animals.

Another show I wanted to spotlight was Trading Spaces Boys vs. Girls. Just like the adult version the kids have to work together to transform a room with the direction of an Interior Designer.

Discovery Kids has many animal-related educational shows. Some animated and some using real actors/people. They also have shows that are just for fun & enjoyment. Visit the website and let your kids watch shows and play some fun & educational games.

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The main character is a little 5 1/2 year old girl, named Franny who goes to work with her grandfather. Franny’s grandfather is a shoe repairman and is bought a new pair of shoes to repair each episode.

Whenever grandpa puts the customer’s shoes in the basket, Franny tries them on. When she puts her feet in the shoes she is magically taken on an adventure to someplace the shoes have been before. The origin of the shoes determines the location of her adventure. She may go to Jamaica, Alaska, Australia or other places around the globe. On her trip she learns about a new place, meets a new friend  and helps to solve a problem while she is there.

Franny is a very likeable cahracter, but I do feel bad that she just sits at her grandfather’s shop all day. AND….does Franny not know about Athlete’s Foot?? Why would she try on every single pair of shoes that come into the repair shop? Ewww Franny!! But in all seriousness this is a cute show, and not only for girls or shoe-lovers.

photo courtesy of Franny’s Feet

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I remember when I was a little girl, that wicked witch scared me so bad every year when the movie came on tv. Still to this day she gives me the creeps. It’s hard for me to believe that this movie is also for children.

Dorothy and Toto, a tornado, the tin-man, the scarecrow, the lion, the witch, Flying Monkeys and the Wizard take you on a whirlwind trip through fantasy and dreaming. The characters all have a relation to Dorothy’s relatives, but are also developed with character traits. Each character that Dorothy meets helps her in some way while she is helping them. They work together to finally end up at the magical wizard’s door. Dorothy just wants to go home and is told she has had the power all along. The infamous Ruby Red Slippers are clicked together while she chants “There’s no place like home” and then wakes up back in her home. She and Toto are reunited with her family and she finds out the whole journey was just a dream.

So if your child won’t be scared of the creative costumes and cast, you should introduce them to a movie that will last through their lifetime.

photo courtesy of: Wikipedia

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The concept of the show is for kids to learn about all kinds of dinosaurs, as the main characters take a ride through different prehistoric periods. The intro song explains the story- a Pteranodon mother is in her nest with her 3 eggs, waiting for them to hatch. When they do, she realizes there is one more egg left, but doesn’t look like the rest. Out hatches a T-Rex baby and she adopts him anyway. In one of the episodes the mixed family travels on the train to try and find out what kind of species “Buddy” is. They figure out he is a T-Rex, but he loves his pteranadon mother and will not be leaving his family anytime soon.

My son, of course, is into trains and dinosaurs and this show is an absolute favorite.

The great thing about PBS shows is the enrichment activities located on the shows website. Go to PBS Kids to check out the games, printable pictures, facts and videos.

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Caillou is an animated cartoon about  little 4 year old boy. It is on PBS kids and has been on for about 8+ years. Caillou has a little sister, Rosie and a cat named Gilbert. His daily adventures usually include his friends at playschool or his family. He has many imaginative adventures and even some real life problem solving.Everyday he is growing and becoming more independent. I think it’s a cute relate-able show. Although I still wonder why Caillou is 4 years old, and still bald???

The main complaint I have heard from Anti-Caillou viewers is that he is “too whiny”. I really think that is just how his voice is. I love that my son loves Caillou. There are so few shows with a boy as the main character and I am completely ok with Caillou.

So now it’s your turn to say how you feel. It’s a black & white answer with this show- you either Love him or Hate him. We LOVE him……how about you? What do you love or hate about this little bald character.

picture courtesy of PBS Kids

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The “Movers” is a cast of 4 men, that  actually started out as a music band in New Orleans and jumped on the kids music scene. They have catchy songs during their 30 min. show that stay in your mind for days! Their big song is “Brainstorming” (which is in my head now).

These guys live in a big warehouse and help customers who need things to be moved and do small problem solving. They have a cast of quirky characters that always have a problem that need to be solved. They have thematic storage rooms to look in to help find tools and equipment to use. They have a “Warehouse Mouse” that is like their little mascot. The movers goal is to get kids moving their bodies & using their brains. It’s a smart concept, I just am not into watching men dance and sing around, just like the “Wiggles“. I am thinking Imagination Movers is kind of like the American version of the Wiggles.

I’m assuming Disney knew what they were doing because kids seem to love it. Grown-ups however (me in particular) do not really care for the show. Have you seen it? Do you and your kids like it??

photo courtsey of Imagination Movers website

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The Jim Henson company has teamed with HIT entertainment to make a show based on the lovable character from the books by Russell Hoban. Frances is on the Sprout network, and is adorable as ever. My son loves to watch all of the episodes about the dramatic badger and her little sister. Frances, like any little girl, wants her own way all of the time. Her little sister, Gloria wants to do everything Frances does, and of course it bugs this big sister. Frances deals problem solving, sharing, honesty, disappointment and growing up. I highly recommend this show- it’s entertaining and age appropriate.

The Sprout network writes

“Frances is a celebration of the preschool spirit – with all its dramatic highs and lows.  Like many young children, Frances is fun-loving, determined and highly imaginative, expressing herself through original poems and songs. In fact, each episode features two songs – about feelings ranging from pride in a new toy to frustration in having a baby sister, all invented and sung by Frances.  Joining Frances in her daily adventures are her little sister, Gloria, her mom and dad, and her best friend Albert.”

The intro song is enough to get you hooked! Listen & watch for yourself!

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Usually I was getting up for my job, but had the guilty pleasure of catching my favorite shows before clocking in. My favorite shows were on “Disney’s One Saturday Morning” on ABC. They had fun cartoons, funny hosts MiMi & Jellyroll, and a very catchy opening song. See if you remember it…..

The shows included in One Saturday Morning were-

“Teamo Supremo”

“Recess”

“Lizzy McGuire”

“Pepper Ann”

“Even Stevens”

“The House of Mouse”- Mickey Mouse

Comment and let me know if anyone else out there watched One Saturday Morning. I LOVED Saturday mornings!!

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