From adaptations of classic children’s books to shows about science kids exploring their world, quality TV can support your child’s growth.

Social-emotional learning happens naturally as characters solve everyday problems together. Ready to find the perfect show for your young girl or boy? Here are ten educational shows for toddlers to help them learn!

1. Sesame Street

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will learn their ABCs, numbers, and social skills from lovable characters who make learning fun.

Sesame Street has been a trusted friend to children since 1969. Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and the rest of the gang turn basic lessons into adventures your toddler will love.

The show mixes puppets with real people, creating a world where learning feels natural and exciting. Each episode includes catchy songs that help kids remember what they learned, from counting cookies with Cookie Monster to singing the alphabet with Elmo.

The show also tackles important social topics, teaching kids how to share, be kind to others, and handle their feelings. The short segments keep toddlers interested, while the familiar characters make them feel safe and ready to learn new things.

2. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will learn how to handle big feelings and get along with others through simple songs they can use in real life.

Daniel Tiger lives in a colorful neighborhood where every day brings new feelings and situations that young children face, too. This animated show takes after Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, using the same gentle approach to help kids understand their emotions.

Each episode follows Daniel as he deals with common childhood moments, like feeling mad when sharing toys or being scared of going to the doctor. The show’s real power comes from its short, catchy songs that give kids the words they need to express themselves.

For example, “When you feel so mad that you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four.” Parents often say their toddlers sing these helpful tunes at home when facing similar situations. The show also introduces kids to everyday routines like brushing their teeth and getting ready for bed.

3. Blue’s Clues

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will sharpen their problem-solving skills by searching for clues and solving fun mysteries with an adorable blue puppy.

Blue is a playful puppy who leaves paw prints on three important clues that lead to the answer to each day’s puzzle. The show speaks directly to kids, making them feel like they’re part of the adventure.

The host talks to the screen, asks questions, and waits for the children to answer, which makes toddlers feel heard and engaged. When Blue leaves a clue, kids get excited to spot the blue paw print and shout, “A clue! A clue!” This interaction keeps them focused and eager to learn.

The show moves at a perfect pace for little ones, repeating key moments so they can follow along. Kids also learn to draw simple pictures in the handy dandy notebook, match shapes, identify colors, and put clues together to reach solutions.

The show’s simple animation style and clear storytelling help toddlers stay focused on solving each day’s mystery.

4. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will learn basic math, shapes, and problem-solving skills while going on adventures with Mickey and his friendly gang.

Mickey Mouse and his friends welcome kids into a bright, computer-animated clubhouse where every problem has a fun solution. Each episode follows a similar pattern that toddlers love: Mickey needs help with a task, and it’s up to the viewers to join the adventure.

The show makes learning feel like a game, especially when it’s time to pick the right “Mouseketool” for each challenge. Kids learn to count with Donald Duck, spot shapes with Minnie Mouse, and sort patterns with Goofy.

The show includes plenty of movement to keep the watchers engaged, with the “Hot Dog Dance” at the end of each episode getting kids up and moving.

Parents appreciate how the show teaches cooperation, as Mickey and his friends always work together to reach their goals. The familiar Disney characters make kids feel comfortable, while the interactive elements keep them engaged in learning basic concepts.

5. Word Party

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will build their vocabulary by learning new words alongside four adorable baby animals who act just like toddlers.

Word Party brings us into a world of baby animals who love to learn and play. The show stars Bailey the elephant, Franny the cheetah, Kip the wallaby, and Lulu, the panda, who ask for “big kid” help from young viewers.

The baby animals talk, sing, and act exactly like toddlers, making mistakes and learning from them just as kids do at home. Each episode focuses on everyday situations toddlers face, like sharing toys or trying new foods, and introduces words that fit these moments. The show makes learning new words fun by turning them into catchy songs and games.

Kids often repeat the new words they hear, especially when the baby animals celebrate these “word party” moments with music and dancing. The show’s simple animation and bright colors catch toddlers’ attention, while the short episodes match their attention spans perfectly.

6. Beat Bugs

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will learn about friendship and helping others while enjoying kid-friendly versions of beloved Beatles songs.

Five tiny bugs turn their backyard into an amazing world of adventure, all set to the music of The Beatles. The show follows Jay, Crick, Walter, Buzz, and Kumi as they face everyday challenges that kids can relate to.

What makes this show special is how it uses Beatles songs to help tell each story. When the bugs learn to work together, they might sing “With a Little Help from My Friends,” or when they’re trying something new, “All You Need Is Love” plays in the background.

The songs are sung in a simple way that kids can understand, while parents get to enjoy hearing familiar tunes. The bugs solve problems as a team, showing kids that everyone has different strengths to share.

The animation brings the backyard to life, making flowers look like towers and puddles feel like oceans to these tiny friends. Each episode wraps up with a lesson about being kind, brave, or working together.

7. Elinor Wonders Why

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will discover basic science concepts by following a curious bunny who asks questions about everything she sees.

Among educational TV shows for young kids, Elinor Wonders Why stands out for its focus on real science. Elinor is a little bunny who loves to figure out how things work, just like most preschoolers.

Along with her friends, Ari, the bat, and Olive, the elephant, she explores her animal town to answer questions that kids actually ask: Why do birds sing? How do seeds grow? Why does water make things wet? The show takes after classics like Magic School Bus but aims at a younger audience with simpler concepts.

Each episode encourages kids to use their senses and ask questions about the world around them. Parents love how the show builds early reading skills by introducing science words in a way that makes sense to little ones.

The animation style feels warm and friendly, and the stories move at a perfect pace for young viewers. Elinor and her friends show that being curious is fun and that every question is worth asking.

8. Cocomelon

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will learn basic skills like counting, colors, and letters through songs that are so catchy they’ll sing them all day long.

Among popular kids’ TV shows today, Cocomelon has become a favorite that really encourages children to learn through music. The show follows JJ and his family, along with classmates and animated toys, as they sing their way through daily routines and adventures.

Each episode turns everyday moments into musical lessons: brushing teeth becomes a counting game, cleaning up transforms into a color-matching activity, and getting ready for bed includes alphabet practice.

Unlike shows that focus on animal behavior or adapt classic children’s books, Cocomelon creates original songs that connect directly to a toddler’s world. The bright 3D animation keeps little ones glued to the screen, while the simple, repeating lyrics help them learn new words.

Parents say their kids often act out the songs during playtime, from pretending to bake with Mom to copying the “Yes Yes” vegetable song at dinner. The short episodes fit perfectly with toddlers’ attention spans, making learning feel like playtime.

9. The Stinky and Dirty Show

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will learn how to solve problems and work with others through the adventures of two lovable truck friends.

Stinky the garbage truck and Dirty the backhoe loader turn everyday tasks into exciting challenges that need clever solutions. These two best friends face problems that seem big at first, but they never give up. Instead, they ask, “What if?” and try different ideas until they find one that works.

If their first plan fails, they simply try another way, showing kids that mistakes are just steps toward success. The show makes problem-solving fun as the friends build, dig, and work together to help their truck neighbors in Port Trash. Kids love the silly humor (yes, there are plenty of stinky jokes), but parents value how the show teaches resilience.

Each episode proves that good ideas can come from anyone and that teamwork makes solving problems easier.

10. Dora the Explorer

What this show teaches your kids: Your child will learn Spanish words and basic problem-solving skills while joining Dora on adventures that encourage viewer participation.

Like Curious George and other beloved shows in early childhood education, Dora the Explorer stands out for making little kids feel like real adventurers. Dora, a bright seven-year-old girl, and her monkey friend Boots take viewers on journeys that teach valuable lessons through activity.

The show doesn’t let kids just sit back watching TV; instead, it asks them to jump, point, count, and speak in both English and Spanish.

Each episode follows the same pattern that young viewers love: Dora needs to go somewhere, checks her map, solves three challenges along the way, and celebrates when she reaches her goal. The show is packed with Spanish words mixed naturally into English sentences, making language learning feel like a game.

Kids help Dora spot the sneaky fox Swiper, count stars in Spanish, and solve riddles using both languages. Parents say their children often walk around the house repeating Spanish words and pretending to use Dora’s backpack and map.

Final Words

These shows deliver more than entertainment and help kids grow. Whether your child loves watching a science kid discover new things, needs help with social-emotional learning, or enjoys seeing young girls lead adventures, there’s a perfect match here.

Each show turns everyday problems into chances to learn and grow.