The Heart of PBS Kids: A Tribute to the Shows That Shaped Our Generation

PBS Losing Its Funding: Reflecting on Childhood TV Shows

With PBS losing its taxpayer funding, I’ve been reminiscing about my favorite childhood television shows. Regardless of where you fall politically, this news likely has you reflecting on PBS Kids’ impact too.

We cut cable when I was about six years old, so I relied mostly on PBS Kids and other channels we could get with our antenna, like Qubo, or DVDs—until streaming services became a thing. I was grateful for these stations because they offered entertaining shows I not only enjoyed watching but sometimes learned from (though we can all agree that, as kids, we mostly watched for entertainment—even when a show was meant to be “educational”).

Media Literacy and TV Shows: Lessons from Childhood

My mother (the one who taught me media literacy in the first place) didn’t let us watch every PBS Kids show. Oddly enough, when I was a child and still had access to Playhouse Disney (yes, I know I’m dating myself here—and honestly, this whole post probably dates me), my mom let me watch anything on that station without concern. At the time, Disney’s children’s shows weren’t considered unsafe. But PBS Kids was different. There were plenty of shows I was allowed to watch—and some I wasn’t.

Childhood TV Shows That Shaped Me

Today, I want to reflect on the shows that shaped me as a child, as well as some popular shows from that time—even if I wasn’t allowed to watch them. I’m not necessarily endorsing these shows because, for many, it’s been years since I’ve seen them. However, most of the shows listed have stayed with me in positive—not negative—ways.

I’ll do my best to offer useful information and personal reflections on each one.

Shows I Watched and Loved

Clifford The Big Red Dog | 2000-2003 | 65 Episodes

Clifford the Big Red Dog was one of my favorite childhood shows. I vividly remember going to the bookstore with my parents and being told I could choose one book—but I ended up grabbing a whole stack of Clifford books. If memory serves, we left with multiple (don’t ask me how I got away with that, haha!).

The show features Clifford, Cleo, and T-Bone, along with Emily Elizabeth and her friends, all learning important life lessons—like thoughtfulness, respect, and honesty.

One standout feature of Clifford the Big Red Dog is its positive portrayal of disability through KC, a three-legged dog who becomes a service animal. In “The Big Sleepover,” Clifford misses Emily Elizabeth, causing him to howl and wake up the entire island. The islanders rally together to comfort him, but despite the fact that his actions are inconveniencing others, he doesn’t seem to realize this; instead, he’s focused on himself and his feelings. Additionally, some episodes feature Halloween themes, so Christian families may want to use discernment.

Note: The 2019 Clifford reboot introduces progressive elements—including same-sex couples and gender role reversals—that reflect a worldview contrary to Scripture (Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:26–27).

Clifford’s Puppy Days | 2003-2006 | 39 Episodes

Clifford’s Puppy Days serves as a prequel to Clifford the Big Red Dog, showcasing Clifford’s early years as a puppy learning valuable life lessons like “Play fair” and “Help Others.” Though the series doesn’t delve deeply into complex themes, its positive messages are impactful and memorable. Several episodes introduce religious and cultural topics, such as “Hanukkah Plunder Blunder” and “Cinco de Mayo,” providing opportunities to discuss these traditions from a biblical perspective. The show also features positive representation, such as Bebe, a service dog who assists a blind girl, promoting compassion and kindness in line with Luke 10:27. With discernment, Clifford’s Puppy Days can be a useful tool for Christ-centered discussions on culture and caring for others.

I love Clifford’s Puppy Days just as much, if not more, than the original series. It’s adorable, entertaining, and the cast is heartwarming. As a child, it taught me about Hanukkah, and as someone passionate about connecting with people of different faiths to share Jesus, I find the knowledge gained from this episode valuable.

Maya and Miguel | 2004-2007 | 65 Episodes

Maya and Miguel teaches children about diverse cultures and community while introducing them to the Spanish language. The show follows Hispanic twins Maya and Miguel, who have friends from various ethnic backgrounds. Maya is spirited and often comes up with big ideas—sometimes poor ones—that she drags Miguel along to follow. Though her intentions are often good, Maya’s ideas frequently lead to humorous chaos.

The series also includes positive disability representation, featuring a character with one arm and a deaf character who uses sign language. The other children make an effort to learn sign language, and the deaf character has an interpreter, promoting inclusivity.

However, some episodes touch on themes like superstition (such as in “Good Luck Paco”) and non-Christian cultural traditions like Día de los Muertos, featured in the episode “La Calavera.” These topics raise concerns from a biblical perspective (see Deuteronomy 18:10–12). As always, we encourage parents to use discernment, especially when spiritual or cultural themes are introduced, and to keep in mind that Maya’s adventurous ideas can sometimes be a bit far-fetched.

I enjoyed watching Maya and Miguel growing up. I remember the episode about the calavera, and if my memory serves me correctly, my mom used it as a teaching moment. The show also included lessons about the Mayans—though I retained little of that information, it was still exciting to learn about as a child. I also adored Maya’s book bag and longed for a satchel instead of a backpack for school—something I eventually got!

Cyberchase | 2002-Present | 148 Episodes

Cyberchase is an educational, STEM-focused cartoon that teaches kids about math and science topics like geometry, timekeeping, and money. The show also contains morally ambiguous content and characters like Wicked—a witch who uses magic—Halloween-themed episodes, and magical or mystical storylines can blur the line between imagination and concepts that conflict with biblical teachings. Some cybersites, like Castleblanca (inspired by spooky themes) and Mount Olympus (based on Greek mythology), also introduce spiritual and mythological elements that require discernment. Additionally, the episode “The Big Night” has a frog focus on their breathing and makes a mundra. Ghosts and other weird creatures also appear, and there’s a minor subplot that involves a likely Harry Potter spin off. However, not all episodes are concerning–some are very focused in math or science and fighting The Hacker, the main villain (played by Christoper Lloyd).

Additionally, after teaching a concept in Cyberspace (animated portion of the show), they have a “For Real” section where they teach how math and science concepts are applicable in real life, often connecting directly with a lesson from the animated portion of the show.

I’ll admit, Cyberchase is one of my all-time favorite childhood shows. I vividly remember the first time I watched it: my mom turned it on, and after a few moments, she said, “This looks good,” and let it play—something that was uncharacteristic for her. I’m grateful she did, because Cyberchase turned out to be a fantastic show. It was fun and imaginative, and while I enjoyed pretending to “portal” into the Cybersites and really wanted a Squawkpad, I also picked up some cool facts. I learned that races can start at different points but still be equal in distance, soufflés are super delicate, and that parallelograms exist! It even taught me how to keep time without a watch.

I recently watched a few episodes to prepare for this article, and I actually found myself Googling concepts in the show and realizing my prior understanding was off. Even as an adult, I learn from this show.

Martha Speaks | 2009-2014 | 96 Episodes

Martha Speaks is a mostly wholesome, vocabulary-focused show that teaches words like “coincidence” and “dilemma.” However, at least one episode includes discussion of luck and superstition. Additionally, consequences for characters’ actions are sometimes simplified or overlooked entirely. While the show is a fun and engaging way to learn new words, Christians should apply discernment when watching.

Martha Speaks was one of the best shows on PBS Kids during its run. Although each episode teaches a lot of vocabulary, it’s tough to remember them all. Still, who knows how many words I picked up from the show! I was around 10 when it first aired, so I was older than the target audience, but I still really enjoyed it. I’ll probably always remember Helen yelling at Martha, “It’s a coincidence!”

Curious George | 2006-2015 (PBS Kids run) | 198 Total Episodes (including other runs)

Curious George is a wholesome and lighthearted show about a curious monkey who explores the world around him. The series is generally educational, with a focus on science concepts and everyday problem-solving. However, George often causes chaos, sneaks around, or breaks rules without facing real consequences. A few episodes also include Halloween themes or explore curiosity about “invisible forces” (such as the sound of a cricket) so viewers may want to use discretion depending on their family’s sensitivities.

Curious George once inspired me to build an apartment/hotel out of sticks in my backyard—and we even made a paper vending machine to go with it. It didn’t turn out how I imagined (not even close), but I’m grateful for shows like this that encouraged creativity and imagination. I always enjoyed it, though it was usually the last show of the day, which made its daily ending feel a little sad.

Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman | 2006-2010 | 100 Episodes

Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman is a fun, educational game show designed to teach problem-solving, teamwork, and a variety of topics like math, science, history, among many other subjects. The show mixes real-life challenges with cartoon segments featuring Ruff, the animated host. While mostly wholesome, some episodes include fantasy or mystical elements that could blur the line between pretend and spiritually confusing themes (e.g., light references to ghosts or haunted locations). For example, episodes like “The Mystery of the Missing Thing in the Haunted Castle” and “Ruffman Manor is Haunted!” may be a bit spooky for sensitive viewers.

I personally loved this show and would’ve jumped at the chance to be on it, but I often felt intimidated by how much the kids already seemed to know—especially with subjects like math. Still, it was entertaining and educational, covering everything from history and etiquette to baking. It’s a shame they cancelled it.

Word Girl | 2007-2015 | 128 Episodes

WordGirl is an educational cartoon that teaches vocabulary and language skills, but some elements may raise concerns for Christian families. The show often portrays adults—including WordGirl’s parents—as unintelligent, which can subtly undermine the biblical principle of honoring authority (Exodus 20:12), and Becky (WordGirl) is frequently shown as more competent and intelligent than the adults around her. The villains are usually portrayed in a humorous or sympathetic light, modeling problematic without consistent moral consequences. WordGirl’s constant superiority may encourage pride over humility (Philippians 2:3).

WordGirl was my favorite superhero as a kid—and honestly, I still wouldn’t mind naming her as my favorite today. I even conquered my fear of a big rollercoaster by thinking, “I’m WordGirl and I can fly.” The villains are funny and not too scary, which works well for younger audiences, though it might unintentionally downplay the seriousness of evil.

Shows I Wasn’t Allowed to Watch

Caillou | 1997-2011 | 92 Episodes

Caillou is a children’s show about a 4-year-old boy navigating everyday life. While the show appears harmless on the surface, many parents have raised concerns about Caillou’s frequent tantrums, disobedience, and the lack of meaningful consequences for poor behavior, and have even reported that Caillou negatively impacted their children’s behavior. In fact, my mom ended up banning the show in our house because I began copying his whining and acting out. His actions can undermine efforts to teach respectful, obedient behavior at home. The show sometimes subtly encourages materialism, with an emphasis on toys and getting what one wants. Parents may want to use discernment when deciding whether to allow younger viewers to watch it.

Arthur | 2002-2022 | 253 Episodes

Arthur is a nostalgic staple for many, but it was one of the few PBS Kids shows I didn’t grow up watching. The main reason? Every time my mom gave it another shot, it introduced something like witchcraft—and it just wasn’t worth the hassle of navigating.

To this day, Arthur remains one of the most controversial shows on this list. While it’s praised for tackling important topics like “asthma, dyslexia, cancer, diabetes, and autism,” it has also introduced themes that raise red flags for Christian families. Most notably, the show confirms that Mr. Ratburn is gay and includes a gay wedding episode. And, if that’s not concerning enough, it also contains many occultic themes.

These include crystal balls and fortune-telling, a Harry Potter parody, as well as casual magic tricks, and witches, among other concerning content. Halloween-themed episodes glamorize spooky, supernatural elements, and Prunella and Rubella enjoy occultic things. Unfortunately, the occult isn’t just in the Halloween episodes. While often portrayed as silly or harmless, these storylines blur the line between good and evil, normalizing practices that the Bible warns against (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). Parents will want to use discernment when deciding whether to allow their children to watch Arthur.

Dragon Tales | 1999-2005 | 94 Episodes

Dragon Tales is a fantasy-based show involving magic and adventures in a world of dragons. Siblings Max and Emmy discover a dragon scale, and after reciting a rhyme, they get transported to Dragon Land. While the show teaches morals, the benefits of overcoming fears, and Hispanic culture, magic is a recurring theme, and the use of mystical elements may blur the line between fantasy and reality—something that may be concerning for Christian viewers.

My mom didn’t like this show when I was little; eventually, we did end up watching it, but I can’t remember if she ever officially gave the OK. Regardless, it encouraged me to pretend to wish into Dragon Land, and personally, that gives me pause when thinking about whether to share it with my future children.

Bonus: Sesame Street | 1969-Present | 4,731 Episodes (as of this writing)

Sesame Street was a staple of my childhood, but if I were a child today, I likely wouldn’t be allowed to watch its current version. While the show promotes values like kindness, it has increasingly embraced secular ideologies that some Christian families may find concerning.

For instance, the show has introduced LGBTQ+ affirming content. In 2021, an episode titled “Family Day” featured a family with two gay dads. Additionally, discussions around gender identity have been incorporated into the show’s programming.

The portrayal of characters like Elmo as friendly “monsters” and a friendly vampire, The Count, may also raise concerns for some parents.

While older episodes may be less ideologically driven, it’s essential for parents to approach Sesame Street with discernment, ensuring that its content aligns with Biblical values.

Conclusion

While PBS Kids has historically been a valuable resource for accessible, educational entertainment, it’s important to acknowledge that some of its recent content has ventured into areas that may conflict with Biblical teachings and have leaned towards presenting unbiblical concepts as normalized or even virtuous. Additionally, most shows have contained some content that isn’t biblical, even in the older programming. As the network faces defunding and shifts in programming, what I would love to see is a return to a focus on timeless, God-honoring values. It would be refreshing to see PBS Kids lead the way in offering content that empowers parents to teach their children Biblical truth, especially when it comes to addressing today’s “hot-button” topics—without worrying about exposing kids to conflicting ideologies.