Recommendations for slightly educational tv programmes for DC

[AshMeri]

Morning! So I've realised that I've become more lax on screen time for the DC (9 and 10) in recent months. My younger DC mentioned that she felt in a lesson at school recently that lots of other children had better general knowledge than her. It made me realise that in fact I let them both watch hours upon hours of trash (The Next Step and similar teen angst shite). We talked about how watching this means they come away with no real new knowledge, other than what Britney thinks of Brad and who in A troupe Elliot has kissed (I don't know their bloody names).

Rather than ban it though, I'd like to balance it out with stuff that does slightly enhance their brain but is easy enough to watch when they're trying to wind down from a day of home learning. They are pretty good at reading non-fiction, they do read The Week and Nat Geo for Kids. Are there any TV programmes for pre-teens that anyone would recommend just to build general knowledge in a gentle way (so it doesn't feel like a lesson)?

My kids love survival shows, horrible histories & walking with dinosaurs

Horrible Histories (My DD- 16, will still watch this purely for the songs, and the fact she remembers watching it when she was younger. But a few of the songs helped in her GCSE history mocks )

Operation Ouch
Horrible Histories
Bear Grylls - kids one on Netflix where they can choose what options he takes

As they’re a bit older, maybe some of the nature shows like Blue Planet? My 11 & 9yo absolutely love these. There are lots on tv about all different animals.

To be honest, I think TV is only educational if it’s enhanced though. So for example, you could watch a film set in a past era, like The Secret Garden, and then research with the kids that era? Then they are getting a full understanding. I think - for me anyway - when I watch TV I don’t take in new information that well, I just relax.

Just to add, I’m not saying tv is bad or anything, but I think limited television of the type they want to watch is better than lots of programmes that are supposed to be educational. Especially if they have already been learning all day.

Thank you all - I'd forgotten about Horrible Histories. I still really enjoy that too.

@Kanaloa you're absolutely right - I think I just want them to watch more of a balance of television programmes. I'm sick of hearing that American teen stuff and I'm sure it must influence their thinking in some way. Something gentle like the Blue Planet in the background while they're doing other stuff would be no bad thing.

Not general knowledge - more Stem - but there are some great youtubers. Our favourites include Mark Rober (who is an ex NASA engineer) and The Backyard Scientist.

Oh and Jay Foreman does some brilliant YouTube videos - take a look at Map Men, Unfinished London and Politics Unboringed. So funny and also very interesting.

Smarter Every Day is another good youtube channel.

They are all young white men which I find frustrating but that isn't their fault!

Channel 5 had a documentary last night about the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge which my kids got unexpectedly engrossed in. The telly guide said it was N episode on Golden Gate Bridge so it must be a series!

Great thread - so much on TV and on line that can help at a time like this .

Brilliant suggestion of extension from Kanola

PBS ( American ) brilliant and gripping doc on the dustbowl by Ken Burns .

Race Across the World? I wasn't sure if it would be of interest to your children's ages but I've just seen a poster on another thread say that their 10 year old enjoyed it.

My (older) DD's favourite subject is history and she swears she learnt most of what she knows from Horrible Histories. Also Operation Ouch, and there used to be a programme on CBBC with Dick and Dom about science/inventors. Can't remember the name.

My DS8 loves quiz shows and picks up all sorts of general knowledge on there. He is beginning to get better at answering the questions now! I am obviously not talking University Challenge, but things like the chase, pointless, tipping point - all harmless fun but learning at the same time. He is also getting quite good at discussing strategies and what works best! Even saturday night stuff like the wall can work - downtime which isn't quite so brainless!

Not tv but if you don't already, sign up to get The Week Junior delivered. There is always a copy here kicking about and it gets picked up and read throughout the week.

Thank you everyone - some really useful suggestions. I hadn't thought of YouTube for this so we'll look at those. They have also liked some of the children's quiz shows like Top Class on CBBC so maybe this. I also like the Week Junior but think I might like it more than the DC!