New Kids on the Block - Grandparents.com

Children's television shows used to swing between the sleepily earnest (Think: Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo) and the somewhat subversive (a cross-dressing Bugs Bunny, Shaggy's 'munchies'… Pee Wee’s Playhouse?).

This was when cartoons aired once a week and your kids would crowd in front of the TV set before dawn on Saturday mornings. Back then, you had to be up on the popular shows… so you knew which lunchbox and backpack to nab for the first day of school.

Since then, the number of made-for-preschoolers TV shows has mushroomed.

Nielsen Media Research estimates that between January and May, 2007, children ages 2-5 were watching an estimated two-and-a-half hours of television… a day. Before your grandkids arrive for summer visits, prime yourself on the new heroes and villains that figure in their world. Get to know what they're watching — and what they may be missing.

Below, the top five shows most watched by preschoolers based on Nielsen's ratings for the first week of May, 2007.

1. American Idol
Yep, the kiddies are glued to the sets watching Simon Cowell skewer the contestants, just like you.

2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
"Meeska, mooska, Mickey Mouse" is the magic phrase that makes the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse appear out of thin air. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto star in this computer-generated animation series. Classic storylines have been retooled to foster educational development, namely, basic math skills. Nowadays, Mickey and the gang act more like kindergarten teachers than cartoon characters.

3. Go, Diego, Go!
Diego is Dora the Explorer's cousin and television spin-off. The 8-year-old Latino boy spends his days adventurously rescuing animals in distress with the help of his sister Alicia. He's kind of a prepubescent Dr. Doolittle who enjoys a special empathy with animals. Like Dora, Diego speaks in both English and Spanish. The show consistently features some of the best Latin music on kids' television. Composers George Noriega and Joel Someillan have described it as "Celia Cruz singing lead with the Beatles!"

4. Dora the Explorer
Dora is a 7-year-old Latina with big brown eyes who loves to, well, explore. Dora sings and speaks in both English and Spanish saying "Let's go" followed by "Vamonos." Speaking directly to the viewers, she engages the tykes in counting objects or locating characters on screen. Preschool viewers will pick up a smattering of Spanish and some basic map-reading skills: Dora never fails to use one to get where she is going. Adults may find it slow; but, it’s definitely worthwhile viewing for kids.

5. Blue´s Clues
Blue is an animated dog whose clues are offered by a live host. Like Dora, the host talks directly to the viewers, expecting them to respond aloud to the television set. The show encourages problem-solving and subtly promotes diversity. Two of the characters, Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, have children named Paprika and Cinnamon. The widespread presence of African American, Asian, and Hispanic characters in animated kids' shows is a sharp departure from what was the norm even only a decade ago.

Other High-Quality Shows

Some, but not all, of the most popular programs such as Dora the Explorer are critically-acclaimed and praised by educators. Each of the following programs — which may not rank most popular — stands out for its high quality.

1. Handy Manny
Manny, the handyman, has talking tools (such as Felipe the Screwdriver) and storylines that feel like a grade-school civics lesson. The show, at heart, is about getting along with others. Not the fastest-paced or most engaging of all children's series, but perhaps the best-natured. Watching provides useful lessons to kids while possibly giving adult viewers a toothache from its sweetness.

2. Little Einsteins
Forget the hopelessly pretentious title, and consider watching this TV show and the DVDs. See Quincy play musical instruments, June dance, Annie sing, and Leo conduct. In one DVD, the cast gives a ride on its rocket to a wayward Monarch butterfly en route to Mexico. Before that, though, they make a layover at the United Nations to perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. You'll be impressed at how fast your grandkids pick up the difference between adagio and crescendo.

3. Sesame Street
The classic children's show remains must-see TV for preschoolers and their grandparents. The storytelling and the characters, save Elmo, engage both youngsters and adults. Not an easy trick, considering that every segment carries an academic or social lesson. Read: Learning the alphabet and how to count are still important. So is learning how to get along with others. Bonus: The show still airs on PBS stations everywhere, so you don't need a cable or satellite connection to watch.

4. The Backyardigans
All the action takes place in a suburban backyard, hence the title. The ensemble animal cast — Austin, Pablo, Tasha, Tyrone, Uniqua — frolic and sing, sing, sing in imaginary settings such as pirate ships. The show tends to inspire strong reactions among adults — who either love it, or hate it. Your grandkids, though, may well be singing along and insist on watching the same episode repeatedly. One caveat: These songs are as infectious as pop ditties that stick in your head.

5. Wonder Pets
Three classroom pets — a duck, a guinea pig, a turtle — go off on globetrotting adventures. The pets are the same ages as their preschool audience and rely on collaboration and cooperation ("What's gonna work? Teamwork!") to rescue baby animals. Like in The Backyardigans, the dialogue is sung as in a musical or opera. Broadway composers write original music for the show. The key message here: Developing empathy for your peers and those in distress.

Remember: You’re not the target audience here, so you may find some of these programs to be a little much. But by demonstrating interest in what your grandkids are watching, you can engage them on their own terms.