Why Educational TV Can Be Beneficial for Children: New Shows in 2025

Why Educational TV Can Be Beneficial for Children

1. Cognitive Development

Educational shows like Wonderblocks and Skillsville introduce children to early math, logical reasoning, and executive function skills. Visual learning helps reinforce memory, especially for abstract concepts like weather or coding.

2. Language & Literacy Skills

Shows like Phoebe and Jay and Not a Box enhance vocabulary, phonics awareness, and narrative understanding. Exposure to dialogue and storytelling improves comprehension and communication.

3. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Characters model empathy, sharing, and problem-solving, helping children develop emotional intelligence. Shows like RoboGobo and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ promote teamwork and friendship.

4. STEM Education

TV programming such as Weather Hunters and Iron Man and His Awesome Friends  sparks curiosity in science and technology. Visual demonstrations of scientific principles can be more engaging and memorable than static lessons.

5. Creativity & Imaginative Play

Programs like Not a Box promote open-ended thinking, helping kids invent their own stories and games. Creativity is linked to cognitive flexibility and emotional well-being.

6. Accessibility and Equity

For many families, educational TV is an accessible and affordable supplement to preschool or home learning. Closed captions, multilingual options, and inclusive characters broaden accessibility and representation.

Tips for Parents & Educators

• Co-watch when possible: Talking about what’s on screen helps children process and apply what they learn.
• Set screen-time boundaries: Use shows as a learning tool, not a babysitter.
• Look for interactivity: Shows that prompt kids to sing, count, or problem-solve (like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+) are more engaging and educational.

Here are some of the most exciting, beneficial educational shows for children in 2025:

🎓 Interactive & STEM-focused

• Wonderblocks (CBeebies, premiered Jan 20, 2025) – Join imaginative characters in teaching pre‑coding logic and sequencing, part of BBC’s creative "Blocks Universe".
• Skillsville (PBS Kids, premiered Mar 3, 2025) – A game‑style animated adventure that builds executive function, problem-solving, and early career exploration skills. 
• Weather Hunters (PBS Kids, premieres Sept 8, 2025) – From Al Roker, this show follows a kid meteorologist solving real‑world weather mysteries with STEM learning.

📚 Literacy & Imaginative Play

• Not a Box (Apple TV+, premiered June 13, 2025) – Based on Antoinette Portis’ book, this gentle, slow-paced series celebrates imagination as a bunny turns a box into creative worlds.
• Phoebe and Jay (PBS Kids, 2025) – Twin preschoolers learn literacy by exploring signs and solving everyday reading-based problems.

🐾 Science & Ecology

• The Creature Cases: Chapter 5 (Netflix, June 9, 2025) – Animal-themed detective stories that explore geography, biology, and teamwork.

🚀 Superheroes & Careers

• RoboGobo (Disney Jr., Jan 17, 2025) – A kid inventor and his team of robo-suited pets protect animals and learn empathy and problem-solving.
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (Disney Jr./Channel, July 21, 2025) – A revival of the classic that promotes problem-solving, creativity, and interactive learning.
• Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends (Disney Jr., Aug 11, 2025) – Combines STEM concepts and teamwork through kid-friendly heroics.

🔮 Adventure & Edutainment

• Ms. Rachel (Netflix 2025) offers musical learning experiences. 
• Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman (Disney+ 2025): An exciting prequel series where we get to see the influences on Peter Parker as he becomes a hero. 

Here’s an easy to follow chart of new educational children’s shows in 2025 along with an explanation of how each show can benefit children.

📺 New Educational Children’s Shows in 2025