Table of Contents
- Peppa Pig 5/10
- Cocomelon 3/10
- Bluey 8/10
- Ms Rachel 9/10
- Paw Patrol 4/10
- Numberblocks & Alphablocks 10/10
- More Parenting Hacks
I am a teacher, and here is my honest assessment of some of the nation's most popular children's TV shows – and unfortunately, it's not great news for Peppa Pig enthusiasts.
As a primary school teacher, I witness firsthand how children's viewing habits affect their behavior and learning in the classroom.
Peppa barely speaks in complete sentences and is excessively simplistic.
Henna Sharma shared the kids' TV shows she finds unappealing as a primary school teacher.Credit: Henna Sharma
Children's shows influence everything from their vocabulary and behavior to their social skills and ability to self-regulate.
Today, there is considerable pressure for shows to be both educational and entertaining.
What children watch shapes their words, actions, and even how they manage frustration or share with others.
A study found that many primary school children spend three or more hours a day on devices during weekdays.
By 2025, the average child in the UK is expected to spend about 6 hours and 22 minutes daily on screens (of all types), with 0-4 year-olds averaging nearly 6 hours and 57 minutes.
Currently, over 1 million children in the UK are spending the equivalent of a full working week (40+ hours) on screens each week.
It is crucial that kids engage with content that stimulates their minds, rather than merely consuming mindless entertainment.
So, which TV shows are most beneficial for children's development?
Here’s my rating of the most popular shows currently watched by kids – and I’m being brutally honest.
Peppa Pig 5/10
Peppa often displays rudeness towards her friends and shows disrespect to her parents.
Honestly, Peppa Pig doesn't make the cut.
Peppa rarely speaks in complete sentences, the vocabulary is repetitive and lacking, and the narration is overly simplistic.
The settings are uninspired, the script is tedious, and the so-called "humor" falls completely flat.
The social skills depicted in the show are also questionable.
Peppa frequently behaves rudely towards her friends and shows disrespect to her parents – certainly not the best role model.
She should model kindness and embrace diversity, as well as demonstrate healthy habits like eating well, rather than throwing tantrums when things don't go her way.
While it may keep young children entertained, there is no character development or growth.
The show also reinforces traditional gender roles, showcasing girls in pink who enjoy dolls and boys in blue who prefer dinosaurs.
Each episode feels monotonous – lacking emotional depth, character expression, and narrative complexity.
It ultimately comes across as flat, repetitive, and, frankly, a bit soulless.
Cocomelon 3/10
Its rapid pace makes it a hyperactive show.Credit: PA
Sure, the songs are catchy and the colors are vibrant – but it's overstimulating and excessively repetitive.
Children may enjoy the tunes for a while, but there is little real learning, narrative depth, or character development – just a continuous loop of noise and flashing images.
Research indicates that fast-paced scenes and bright colors create an overwhelming experience that can negatively impact a child's behavior and attention span.
Children who watch it may be 7.7 times more likely to exhibit low attention spans and symptoms of hyperactivity.
When a show bombards kids with non-stop flashing images and endless jingles, it's not just entertaining – it rewires their brains to seek constant stimulation.
A child fixated on Cocomelon may become bored with real life, where nothing moves that quickly or is that loud.
While it may impart age-appropriate lessons like forming positive eating habits and how to use the potty, its rapid pace contributes to a hyperactive viewing
