| Not on Netfix or Disney, but the old series (used to be PBS) called "Wishbone" is fantastic. Clever dog resells classic literature with himself as the heroes. Well made and encourages kids to explore the books used in the show. You can stream at least some episodes on YouTube. Highly recommend as positive and fun. Perfect for a first grader or older kids too. |
This is my DS. I loved the PBS app because I didn't have to worry about him clicking to other videos or commercials or ads. The worst part was when he started talking like Hal the dog from Nature Cat. He's in 1st grade now and is definitely picking up sass from friends (especially the ones with older siblings). |
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I think 1st grade is a tough age for appropriate TV content. There seems to be a lot of programming for the preschool set and for older elementary kids. My 6yo DS in 1st grade mostly watches movies on Netflix and Disney+ because there many TV shows out there that appeal to him that I'll let him watch. He's also perfectly content to only watch a half hour of a movie rather than a TV show.
My DS does like the Magic School Bus on Netflix. Both versions of the show. I haven't noticed any red flags. At most, there is some mild teasing of one of the classmates on the show who is a constant worrier and another classmate who is a know-it-all, but I wouldn't call it rude. My kids also like Beat Bugs on Netflix, although I think my 1st grader is outgrowing it a bit. Cute show about a group of insect-friends who sing covers of Beatles songs. I agree with PPs that backtalk and some attitude is common at this age. They see/hear it at school or from friends and they like to test it out for themselves. |
| Just Add Magic on Amazon Prime is great. |
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Story Bots is educational.
I don't let her watch Barbies. She has a younger sibling, DS4, so they also watch Octonauts, Paw Patrol, Masha the Bear, and Blaze. Some other ones I can't remember |
| Just a shout out to Common Sense Media. Great resource. |
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Literature:
Wishbone Reading rainbow Super why Science/zoology: Magic school bus (old and new!) Bill nye (original only!!! New one is adult topics, aimed at the generation who grew up with the original!) Kratt’s creatures Math/problem solving: Cyberchase Odd squad History: Xavier riddle American heroes Who was Liberty’s kids Social/emotional: Mr. roger’s neighborhood American girl movies (crossover with history for book series) Various: Cat in the hat knows a lot about that Schoolhouse rock (movies, can be watched as episodes though) |
| OP, pp again. With the exception of the educational series (schoolhouse rocks, nature) and the companies they’ve bought out (Jim Henson’s muppets), I don’t care for most of Disney’s programming for young children. Issues range from gender and racial stereotypes to glorifying bad behavior and making good behavior look like less fun (Chillin Like a Villain, Descendants 2 is a great case in point. The single song kids could remember is about being bad...) to pushing love and relationships too early. |
My first stop before deciding on any media for kids! However, I’m running into more and more shows that they haven’t checked. |
| One thing we do for Netflix is I keep it on airplane mode except for when I download a bunch of episodes of a series that I know I like (Magic Schoolbus or Octonauts when he was younger). Then the only things the kids can watch is what I downloaded, although not all cartoons are available for download. |
That’s brilliant, hadn’t thought of that!!! |
| If she has a Kindle use the Freetime App. The videos on that are screened and were fine. |
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Spirit on Netflix
Ponysitters Club (Netflix I think, but maybe Amazon Prime) |