Curious George on PBS
Helping Young Children Develop Math and Science Skills
Curious George is an excellent new show for preschoolers that enhances their understanding of various math and science concepts in an entertaining manner.
Familiar Character in a New Format
Curious George, the television series, is based on the classic children’s book by Hans and Margaret Rey. George is a monkey who has a strong drive to learn about the world around him and his curiosity often leads to hilarious adventures. The show boasts award winning actor, William H. Macy, as the narrator, and comedian Will Ferrell as the voice of “The Man with the Yellow Hat.” While many of today’s shows for children are focused on reading, Curious George focuses on math and science, exploring concepts such as patterns, measurement, and geometry. It’s a well written show that’s educational as well as entertaining.
For Parents and Teachers
The live action segment that follows each animated story helps viewers connect the skills explored by George to real life, making it easier for them to understand and remember what they’ve learned. The Curious George website features an excellent section for parents and teachers that provides information on the educational goals for the show as well as video clips and episode descriptions. Teachers will enjoy the “Discovery Guide” which offers a number of lesson plans correlating math, science, and engineering standards. The “Family Activity Booklet” can be downloaded for free, giving parents a list of hands-on, educational activities to do at home with their children.
Online Fun
Children will find nine games featuring Curious George at the PBS website. “Roller Monkey” helps children develop good observational skills while “How Tall” improves their understanding of measurement. Children who visit the website may also want to watch video clips of their favorite episodes. Printable coloring pages of George are available too!
TV Schedule
Parents can feel comfortable letting their young children watch the new Curious George series on PBS because it's a positive show that explores math and science concepts. Check your local listings to see when this delightful new show is on in your area.
