Best Bilingual / Multicultural & Educational Television for Kids

Best Bilingual / Multicultural & Educational Television for Kids

These days there are a growing number of bilingual programs that teach language and cultural lessons to kids.  Many more shows include diverse characters.  Here is a list of some of the most popular kids television shows that promote cultural content with corresponding links to their webpages.  We still have a long way to go, but we’re getting there!  Gotta love Nick Jr. for leading the way.  ;)

• Yo Gabba Gabba – African American main character (DJ Lance!). There is a variety of music and musical styles and celebrity guests, colors, animals, friendships, emotions, and more are discussed.

• Little Bill – African American main character, multicultural characters, cultural lessons, family dynamics like marriage, siblings, relatives.

• Dora the Explorer – Bilingual, Spanish; Latino characters.  Educational and cultural lessons, friendship, exploring a variety of places.

• Go, Diego, Go – Bilingual, Spanish; Latino characters.  Educational and cultural lessons, animal rescue and nature discovery.

• Ni Hao, Kai-Lan – Bilingual, Chinese.  Chinese American characters and cultural lessons, friendship, emotional issues like sharing and competition.

• The Backyardigans – Multicultural characters with diverse voices, cultural lessons and travel around the world, diverse music and dance, imagination and play.

• Sesame Street – Available in various languages, language and cultural lessons, educational, emotional issues, family and friends.  This show spans the globe!

• Sid the Science Kid – Interracial relationships, the main character is ‘mixed‘!  Discussion on friendships, special needs, science and discovery.

• Maya & Miguel – Bilingual, Spanish.  Latino characters and cultural lessons, family and friendship.

• Handy Manny – Bilingual, Spanish.  Latino main character and cultural lessons, educational, friendship, fix-it projects.

• Special Agent Oso – Bilingual, Spanish, some French and Italian.  Cultural lessons, special needs, friendship, secret missions.

• Doc McStuffins – African American female main character. Helps children develop positive relationships with doctors and stimulates both emotional and academic learning.