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Best educational shows for kids: reading and math
Reading and math shows work best when they are slow and ask the child to join in. These are the ones teachers and librarians name most often.
Chosen from PBS KIDS and Reading Rockets lists; facts checked on Wikipedia, Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
Between the Lions
PBS KIDS · Ages 4-7
A library lion family teaches sounds and words with songs.
Buy: Amazon
Super Why!
PBS KIDS · Ages 3-6
A story-based show where children help change a tale with letters.
Buy: Amazon
WordWorld
PBS KIDS · Ages 3-6
Animals are built from the letters of their names.
Buy: Amazon
Martha Speaks
PBS KIDS · Ages 4-8
A dog who can talk and teaches new words.
Buy: Amazon
Reading Rainbow
LeVar Burton · Ages 5-9
Original series that celebrated books and libraries.
Buy: Amazon
Alphablocks
CBeebies · Ages 3-6
Letters become characters in their own short world.
Buy: Amazon
Electric Company
Children's Television Workshop · Ages 6-9
Classic reading show of the 1970s.
Buy: Amazon
Sesame Street
Sesame Workshop · Ages 2-6
Letter of the day and song.
Buy: Amazon
Numberblocks
Alphablocks Ltd, CBeebies · Ages 3-6
Each number is a character built of blocks; teaches adding and place value.
Buy: Amazon
Odd Squad
PBS KIDS · Ages 5-9
Child agents solve cases using ratios, fractions and patterns.
Buy: Amazon
Cyberchase
PBS KIDS · Ages 7-11
A cartoon about a cyber world, with real math in each problem.
Buy: Amazon
Peg + Cat
PBS KIDS · Ages 3-6
A girl and cat solve problems with counting and measure.
Buy: Amazon
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