Wherever there's face painting, Ella will request to become a fairy.

DAY two of the 31 Days To Build A Better Blog challenge? Write a list post. So here goes…

BEFORE children we vowed our kids would not be subjected to The Wiggles or Hi-5.

Within six months of Princess Ella being born, that went out the window – along with “we will not let them eat chocolate’’ and “we will not take them grocery shopping’’.

While books and craft take precedence in our household, there’s always time for a li’l TV each day.

Here’s 10 of our top Aussie kids’ shows and how they’re affecting our children (not to mention doing a mother’s head in):

  1. Playschool – Watch for puzzled looks on children’s faces. While we wondered why our parents were laughing at John Hamblin’s adult humour all those years ago, now our children are wondering what’s so funny about Rhys Muldoon. “Ah, nothing, darling’’.
  2. The Wiggles – These four skivvy-clad men have taught children that it’s OK to scream “wake up Jeff’’ to a sleeping baby. Sheesh!
  3. Dorothy The Dinosaur – Children are learning to sing opera and dance ballet. However, as you’ll see in the YouTube video, it’s also creating divas who like to hog the spotlight.
  4. Hi-5 – Similar to Dorothy, this one has taught them when Teddy Bear or Monster Dance comes on, Mum is not to sing the lead, only back-up vocals.
  5. Magical Tales – Just because Sparkles and William can say “Spellaroo’’ and the Star House is cleaned up instantly, doesn’t mean it will work in real life. After attempting this one three times, it resulted in a very disappointed preschooler.
  6. The Fairies – Children must have a fairy dress, shoes and wand with them to be able to dance properly. If they can’t find their fairy dress, all hell breaks loose.
  7. The Kingdom of Paramithi – “Every day is a special day’’, except on days when you throw a killer tantrum. And mum doesn’t respond to: “Genevieve? Can you do a dance for me?’’ while twirling your finger.
  8. Toy Box – Has learnt a new way to sing the alphabet that’s far more annoying than the time-honoured version. It also means now that “T’’ is our favourite letter.

    Ella and Kellie during a meet and greet with Dorothy in 2008

  9. Zigby – Just because you can hear Playschool favourite Justine Clarke singing, doesn’t mean you can see her. “Quick mum, it’s Justine.’’ Runs from the kitchen to the lounge. “Oh, where’s Justine?’’ Yes, sorry, just a stupid zebra (once known as a stripy horse).
  10. Bindi The Jungle Girl – Teaching our children it’s OK to pick up snakes, spiders, rats … oh, and crocodiles. A real education.

So, what shows do your children watch? And, more importantly, what are they learning?

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33 Responses to FEATURE: The top 10 Aussie kids’ shows and how they’re affecting your child

  1. Becky says:

    Ah-ha! I KNEW I knew the voice singing the Zigby song!! Great list! As I type my girls are learning that Grandpas shrink when they put a hat on…

    • Kel says:

      Haha! Don’t you hate that, when you know the voice but can’t quite figure it out! Yes, Grandpa’s a bit of a fave in this household too!

  2. Missy Boo says:

    ‘Arthur’ is the current favourite in our house. I know it’s not an Aussie one, but last week she learnt all about cancer! WTF?

  3. THE BLOKE IN THE SHED says:

    I loved the episode where Arthur got nits and they all had to wear those stupid hair nets. It was on not long after Ella got nits from childcare!!!! Could relate to it so well ,,,,,

  4. Caz says:

    Oh some of my stable daily fav veiwing 🙂 My littlest pink also still love the night time garden and Gabba Gabba. Nice idea for a list – hard trying to think of things you knwo a lot about. (Maybe my brain is just tired.)

    • Kel says:

      Yo Gabba Gabba is a big hit here too, Caz. Think the 31DBBB will get slightly easier from here. First two days have been full on, but worth it! 🙂

  5. Jay Walsh says:

    Good Lord, are The Wiggles still around? I thought they went the way of Barney the Dinosaur and Teletubbies. This was fun!

    • Kel says:

      Sadly Jay, yes! And as big as they’ve ever been, despite a new frontman. Will we ever hear the end of Hot Potato, Big Red Car and Fruit Salad…? I think not!

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  7. Rebekah says:

    Funny and thought-provoking!! Love it.

  8. Ellissa says:

    There are some new ones here that I haven’t heard of before (I’ve been out of Oz for 5 years). Will check them out with my daughter. Thanks!

    • Kel says:

      Hours of viewing there, Ellissa!! LOL! Some aren’t on at the moment, but tend to rotate (ie Magical Tales and Hi-5 on Channel 9 at 3.30pm). Enjoy!

  9. Trish says:

    Great list that appeals to me.
    My boys (4yrs) love all ABC1 & 2 shows …I only just realised what one was Octonauts …super heros for littlies Claire described it.
    Playschool is a fave too.
    Great list Wiggles is still an early favourite ( since mr 17 was a toddler).
    They love Giggle & Hoot… the presenters not as a show.

    • Kel says:

      Oh, I forgot about Giggle and Hoot! Hoot seems to be a real hit with the kids! And yes, can’t see The Wiggles going out of fashion with toddlers anytime soon…

  10. Tracy says:

    Ohh.. I think I just saw into my future. We have managed to avoid the tv with our baby girl so far but I know it won’t last forever. The 10 yo boy outgrew little kid shows a few years ago and it sounds like there is a whole new batch of shows that I’ll be learning about.

  11. Margaret says:

    Kell, believe it or not Im back into childrens viewing on telly, when my boys were little play school was a favorite and yes I used to laugh at things they didn’t understand, Im so glad to see that things have not changed and Ryan and I run to the telly now when we hear the play school music, two other big favorites are Grandpa in my pocket, the boys just love this one as Grandad has a hat just like Grandpa’s and they really love Mr Maker, I like that one too as the guy is a bit of a Robbie Williams look alike and he makes lots of crafty things, have even downloaded a couple of his shows onto my ipad so the boys can watch him whenever they like.

    • Kel says:

      Ella is mad for Mr Maker. She received two Mr Maker DVDs for Christmas and has already worn them out! I’ve got the craft set up in the corner of the dining room, so she can “be Mr Maker” whenever she feels like it! Had to laugh at your Grandpa comment. Their hats ARE the same!!!! 🙂

  12. amie says:

    Kel I’d like to add one to your list that has a big impact on our house, Mister Maker and “I’ve got a good idea”, Scariest words to come out of a three year olds mouth!!

    • Kel says:

      LOL! Yes, Mister Maker is a big hit in our household too! You’ve seen the volume of craft Ella has!!! Someone just “had a good idea” half an hour ago. “I’ve got a good idea. How about … we eat some really lovely chocolates. Would that be a good idea, Mum?” Hmmm…..:)

  13. Kids and TV says:

    […] blog post over at Three Little Princesses made me […]

  14. kasia says:

    love it!! what an awesome list!!

    * important note on *
    The Fairies – Children must have a fairy dress, shoes and wand with them to be able to dance properly. If they can’t find their fairy dress, all hell breaks loose.

    This should be on a warning label on all fairy dvd’s and also when you sign your child up for fairy dancing lessons at “the fairies”.. also be warned when you do as to enter “the fairies” dance room you must walk through a tunnel filled with pink and purple fairies merchandise.. then of course.. you must exit the same way.. These would have to be the most expensive lessons imaginable..

    ps.. they’re pretty darn adorable though.. all dressed up in their {fun-fairy-tastic} pink and purple outfits..

    • Kel says:

      Hearing you, Kasia! LOL! About to put up a couple of posts on Ella’s very first dance lesson this morning, by coincidence. Thankfully it was in a church hall, with a former Australian Ballet dancer and no merchandise. Just brilliant. And yes, way too cute!!!

  15. Adelle says:

    This really is a little something I must do more research into, appreciation for the post.

  16. […] Holly to sleep. I try my best to do as much craft, drawing, “hairdressers”, telephone calls to Dorothy the Dinosaur and hide and seek (with the bonus of getting five minutes shut eye under the bed) as I can. […]

  17. Nicole says:

    Love this post, I used to love playschool (especially John Hamblin) sesame street, inspector gadget and astro boy. My older two kids have grown out of the wiggles (I like the wiggles just the songs get so stuck in your head) but now I have a third I am guessing they will get reprised. I can’t stand Night Garden, come to think of it, the kids haven’t been watching abc all that much lately.

    • Kel says:

      I’m glad somebody else doesn’t like In The Night Garden too! Drives me batty!!!
      I was a big fan of Astro Boy and Inspector Gadget too as a child. But I don’t think you can ever beat good ol’ PlaySchool! 😉

  18. Sarah Bell says:

    My little ones love Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band on Nick Jr. Have you guys seen them? We saw them at the Opera House last month and they were amazing. Jessie couldn’t stop dancing and I have to admit I was up there with the best of them. The music was really great.

    • Kel says:

      Ooh, we haven’t got into that yet, Sarah. I’ll have to see if I can hunt them down online. I’m quite interested now to check them out. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  19. […] confidence to stand right up the front.  She likes the spotlight (check out her diva moment in the video from two years […]

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