In the Night Garden: a surprising secret to a spoiled brat

Is In the Night Garden (Nick Jr) the key to spoiled brats?

The show is nearly unwatchable for kids over 6. It's calm and gentle, not happy and funny.

But Dan (Rebecca's baby brother) chews it up like chocolate on ice cream - and its lessons work! I can't tell you how many times I've pulled out In the Night Garden's calming music, soothing storylines, and dream setting to quiet a meltdown or get kids to take a nap or go to sleep.

It works, but why?

I just realize how big of an impact this show is having on kids as part of their bedtime routine.

But that got me thinking, how does In the Night Garden work so well?

It's just Teletubbies, updated

In the Night Garden is basically a go-to-sleep version of Teletubbies. It has the same elements and uses an updated version of the educational value.

Each show is made to prepare kids for sleepytime. In fact, each episode has a lesson such as "children need to wash their faces", creator Andrew Davenport said.

Wait a second, so toddlers could actually come with user manuals?

It was moved

In the Night Garden was removed from the Bedtime schedule of CBeebies in 2008, which caused parents a meltdown and a petition. the BBC said that the show would return to the Bedtime schedule.

TV might be good for kids

So, In the Night Garden really changes toddlers' behaviors?

Perhaps. But there's a big caveat.

A recent study from blogger dad Noah Johnson split 127 preschoolers and their parents into groups. The first half watched In the Night Garden at 6:20pm for two weeks, the other half watched a nature documentary. 

Johnson tested the kids' bedtime routine and saw improvement in those who watched In the Night Garden - but only if their parents talked to them about what they were watching. Those who watched the show with no parental interaction were no better than those who watched the documentary.

That suggests watching In the Night Garden can quiet a toddler meltdown or help them go to sleep - but only if parents are actively involved with watching.

19 Preschool Shows You should be Watching

Looking for a great way to educate your kids, here are some shows they will love

Remember that study published in 2007 by TIME pinning problems on Baby Einstein? Alice Park, author of the study, found other problems on fast paced cartoons. What shows should your child watch? Here are 19 educational shows your kid will love. Not only are they fun and educational, they won't make you crazy.

19. Doc McStuffins
Lets talk about how cute Doc McStuffins is. Watch your kids eyes light up when Doc's magic stethoscope brings her toys to life.

18. Dora the Explorer
Cough... Dora... Cough... this show, apart from the main character ruining your kids brain, teaches them about numbers, shapes, colors, and social skills.

17. LazyTown
OF COURSE I'd like to watch it. It teaches them about being active. LazyTown is best for younger kids and the best part of the show is the mine song.

16. Yo Gabba Gabba!
A longtime favorite of many children and adults, Yo Gabba Gabba! is a cute little show with life lessons about enjoying friends in preschool along with electro pop music.

15. Max and Ruby
Max and Ruby! It's a show about bunnies. They don't have parents so Ruby fosters her brother Max.

14. the. Notekins
the Notekins is a cute show about 7 characters who set out to visit a musical instrument. But they learn music lessons along the way...

13. Wonder Pets
They're on their way. This is a show about animals who save other animals and save the day.

12. Peppa Pig
Make way for Peppa Pig! They teach kids about animal sounds. You'll be begging for more Peppa!

11. Imagination Movers
Imagination Movers is about movers who live in a warehouse in new Orleans and form a band. They sing songs that teach good manners and many good habits and teach kids about the importance of food and eating right, having good hygiene, sharing, and so much more.

10. Angelina Ballerina
Angelina Ballerina is about a pink mouse who is a ballerina. Sometimes, she does things wrong.

9. Special Agent Oso
Special Agent Oso is a show about a bear who helps kids with daily activities and special steps.

8. Fresh Beat Band
It's a cute show about Marina, Kiki, Twist, and Shout solving problems and singing songs a lot.

7. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a show on Disney Junior about Mickey Mouse and other classic characters solving problems in their clubhouse.

6. Sesame Street
Finally, this classic must be mentioned in any list of educational shows for kids. It traces comedy bits as if they were happening at your house

5. Curious George
Curious George is a sweet African monkey who can't help but run into trouble. The show's themes are learning forgiveness and playful curiously

4.

Best Educational TV Shows for Girls in Preschool

Wholesome and Educational Shows your Kids will Love

A great way for Preschool-aged girls to love leaning is to let them watch TV. Here are 17 suggested shows to check out.

Super Why

Wyatt is a 6 year old boy with the power to read and his friends. In PBS' First Literacy empowered show, they go into books and solve problems. They occasionally find super letters to look for the episode's moral

Sesame Street

Your list of preschool shows must have Sesame Street. Premiering in 1969, It is a longtime favorite of many kids and has been on the air for decades. Each season brings a new educational theme and exciting characters along with guest stars including Jim Carrey, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Anna Kendrick, Sia etc. 

Cyberchase

What a great way to teach kids about math. Cyberchase has young kids Matt, Inez, and Jackie as they set off each day to learn about something new. But they take on a whole new meaning...

the Electric Company

A Revival of the iconic 70's show of the same name, the Electric Company has kids with literacy-themed super powers. They go throughout their daily lives teaching friends about words. 

Doc McStuffins

A Doctor for stuffed animals and toys, Doc is contagious to kids.

Each episode finds a broken toy. Doc and her stuffed animals help the toy feel better and fixed. By the time its better, its child owner is ready to play with it.

The show's themes are Health

Tumble Leaf

Tumble Leaf features a blue fox named Fig as he explores the world around him.

The series helps kids develop a literacy curriculum. What does Nature have to do with literacy? Well, when kids are exploring they develop new vocabulary. 

Wallykazaam!

Wallykazaam! follows a troll named Wally Trollman and his dragon, Norville, as they use a stick to solve literacy problems in their daily lives.

Along the way,  Bobgoblin causes trouble, but they're always trying to save the day and make words.

Sid the Science Kid

Sid is a Sweet yellow-skinned boy who is always curious about science. His friends at school and family at home are always trying to teach him new things. The show's themes are thinking like a scientist

The Cat in the Hat

the Cat in the Hat takes his friends Sally and Nick on nature-empowered adventures and meet new types of animals each day. But things don't always go quite right

Word Girl

Word Girl is a superhero who stops the bad guys with literacy powers and her trusty pet monkey Huggy. 

Bubble Guppies

Mixing fun and learning in a variety show format takes kids on underwater adventures with fish tailed people. Each episode finds the guppies going to school and finding a topic of interest. Later, Mr. Grouper and the class talk about it and sing a catchy song. There is a multiple sense of humor that kids like to watch and they tickle themselves as they watch and learn.

Caillou

Yes, believe it or not, I had to include this. And with good reason why, Caillou is a sweet explorer who goes somewhere new each day. Pure classic!

Team Umizoomi

As a Math show, TU features tiny superheroes trying to save the day and using Number and Shapes skills. I highly recommend this show for any math enthusiast.

Odd Squad

Odd Squad on PBS Kids teaches about Math and more with child agents.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

This show features Daniel Striped Tiger from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as he teaches lessons. This show does a great job at using songs to teach.

Curious George

If your kids are always curious, this show is your option. Curious George is about a monkey of the same name. Although he does things wrong, he learns a lot every day. This is the best show to understand letters and numbers. George and the Man in the Yellow Hat leave their apartment each day to learn something new, They figure out how things go, science, math, and friendship as well

Wild Kratts

Chris and Martin are two animated brothers who teach kids about animals. In each episode, they are live action and always ask a question, and then become animated. The show's themes are natural science and nature

Take a look at this!

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Here's a post about someone on YGG

Here's a post about YGG

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19 Cartoons your child should be watching

by Maddie

Recently we've said that Curious George is bad for kids' brains. I, Maddie, the author of the study found other problems on fast paced cartoons. So what cartoons should. your kids be watching? Here are 19 that your kids will love. Not only are these shows fun and educational, they won't make your skin crawl - sorry, Barney the Dinosaur.

19. Dora the Explorer
My cohort Juliana says Dora the Explorer may ruin your kids brain - but I'm (George) squarely on the other side. Dora is a wholesome explorer. "Do Do DO Do Do Dora" Dora and Boots learn lessons about social skills, life skills, humor, and Spanish.

18. The Wiggles
I've said it once and I'll say it again, watching the Wiggles is like staring at a lava lamp. It soothes the tired parent's soul - each song focuses on a simple life lesson. But just to be sure, I'd watch it by myself.

17. Ni Hao Kai Lan
The premise of Ni Hao Kai Lan makes no sense - a Chinese kid goes on advdentures with her grandpa, a pink mouse, a tiger, a monkey, and a bear. This show is super educational - it's less snazzy then Dora

16. Team Umizoomi
Team Umizoomi! It's a cute show about kids and a robot who teach kids math lessons. Great way for kids to learn!

15. Bear in the Big Blue House

Image from the Asian Parent 

Mixing learning, music, dancing, and fun in a variety show format takes kids to a big blue house with a bear and his friends. The Social Skills lessons effective, the storylines are fun, and probably the best part of the show is the humor. Kids will laugh and tickle their funny bones as they watch and learn.

14. Super Why
Super Why not only has cool stories but it teaches kids about reading and the alphabet. I have no complaints about the show, it's super educational. Go PBS!

13, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman
FETCH! is a show filled with real life kids - and a talking dog. It plays out in a fun way, everyone loves it. They deal with science lessons and win prizes.

12. Doc McStuffins
Doc McStuffins is a show about a can-do Doctor who's a kid. The show teaches kids about being healthy, and it so does. Doc is a sweet person who fixes toys, and the theme song effective.

11. Daniel Tiger
It's a reboot of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. This may get a little good now and then. I love this show and I'm compelled to the life lessons. It's good for kids' brains

10. Yo Gabba Gabba!

Image from Google

 5 Fun Monsters plus catchy music adds up to trippy storylines. This show has electro pop beats and has Biz Markie beatboxing for the kids (M Hm)- no, I wasn't kidding when I said Biz Markie beatboxing for the kids. Biz Markie performed Just a Friend and seeing him on the show makes it enjoyable for the parents. This show is fast paced, it's funky. It gets kids up and dancing. Lance Robertson and his funny group (Muno the red cyclops, Foofa the pink flower bubble, Brobee the green guy, Toodee the blue cat dragon, and Plex the yellow robot) encourage kids to sing and move, and they teach lessons (Yes, Please!). A timeless classic, Yo Gabba Gabba! traces everyday learnings as if they were happening in your living room.

9. the Magic School Bus
In this classic series, Ms. Frizzle teaches her 8 classmates and pet lizard about science. The bus transforms into different things to help them learn. One time, they even went inside the human body.

8.  Jack's Big Music Show
As a music geek, this show is right up my alley (it's a kids show created by somebody who's in a punk rock band A.K.A Tim Strohmeyer, the guitarist of Too Little, Too Late). Jack, his pal Merry, and his Dog Mel teach kids about music, instruments, and sounds around them. Rather focusing as a Music teacher, this show approaches music as a fun way for kids to support each other, with bands performing in something I like to call the Super Music Friends show like in Yo Gabba Gabba. Preschoolers and babies are explorers and learn different genres of music.

7. Bubble Guppies
This show follows mermaid kids as they learn and ask educational questions. This show for preschoolers is fast paced, it's funky, and it gets them laughing at the antics of the fish tailed characters. The songs are electro pop, and the characters are silly!

6. the Backyardagains
Let's talk about how cute Tyrone, Austin, Uniqua, Tosha, and Pablo are. They go on adventures, and encourage kids to do that too. Just wait and see your child's eyes light up as they enter magical places.

5. Caillou
This Canadian kids show has been on air since 1997. Apart from the main character's painful tone of voice, this show will teach kids about everything like safely crossing the road to friendship.

4. Wow Wow Wubbzy
This show teaches kids about social skills and humor development. Wubbzy is one of my personal favorites. The show has characters called the Wubb Girlz who are voiced by Beyonce - say what?!

3. Dinosaur Train
This show does a great job at teaching kids about Dinosaurs. In each episode a group of dinosaurs go on a train and learn. At least it's less snazzy then Nick Jr's Dino Dan.

2. Blue's Clues
Make way for Blue's Clues! Probably the best part of the show? That it teaches Kids about math and problem solving. Blue is a dog who lives with her caregiver Steve and later his younger brother Joe. With this classic preschooler show getting a reboot later on, you'll be begging for more Blue.

1. Sesame Street

Image from Hulu

Finally, this classic must be mentioned in any list of learning shows. This PBS show helped kids learn to read over the years with help from characters who entertain kids. Big Bird hosts this show with characters teaching children about letters and numbers.

Watch and learn: 7 shows that promote literacy

Arthur
This show was designed to help kids learn about science and math. What do science and math have to do with literacy? Well, when kids they develop mathematics skills. 2 to 13 year olds enter Elwood City to learn lessons with Arthur and his friends
Super why
Meet Wyatt, a 7 year old boy who jumps into books and solves problems with his friends. On the way they catch super letters which teach morals.
Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba was designed to help kids learn about music. What does music haves to do with literacy? Well, when kids listen to music they are also picking up early literacy skills. In each episode 1 to 8 year olds enter "Gabba Land" where they get up and get moving with DJ Lance Rock and friends
Creative Galaxy
Meet Arty, your friendly alien next door. In each episode he teaches colors, vocabulary, rhyming, and friendship.
Daniel tiger
This show helps kids learn with lessons. What do lessons have to do with reading? This shown as episodes that are like stories and mIss kids figure out what happens next
leapfrog
leapfrog was made to teach kids about literacy and math. The literacy and math ones are both interesting.
Sesame street
Finally, this show teaches kids about letters numbers and basic math concepts. Sometimes kids know their letters and numbers and sometimes don't know basic math concepts. Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo and Grover all live together in this street