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Spring Watch USA

(Rated TV-G, Educational, Starring Vanessa Garnick, David Mizejewski, Jeff Corwin, Where to watch: Animal Planet)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 3, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Watch the season unfold in near real-time series.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Viewers watch wild animals in their natural surroundings and learn about their lifestyles, their eating habits, and the factors (global warming, human interference) that threaten their survival.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Animals are occasionally shown hunting and eating prey. In one scene, for example, a snake consumes a mouse while the host explains how the snake had snatched and strangled the life from his prey; in another, an owl returns to her nest with a dead mouse in her mouth. Scientists also trap and sedate animals using blow darts and injections to assess their health.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Some discussion of animals' mating habits and breeding seasons.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Show sponsor Tractor Supply Company is mentioned here and there throughout the show.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Spring Watch USA

Parents need to know that this nearly real-time series offers a close-up look at nature's springtime changes. Cameras take viewers on an animal's-eye-view tour of the country, and hosts explain the different species' lifestyle habits. Because each episode airs within days of being filmed, the information is always current and relatable for viewers observing spring unfold outside their own windows. This is a great choice for family viewing, but very young children may be frightened by occasional scenes of animals eating prey or scientists using blow darts or injections to sedate animals for observation.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about seasonal changes where they live. Kids: How does springtime in your area compare to what you see in the show? Which wild animals live near you? How do their activities change in the spring? How does this series teach you about geography and biology? Can television be a good teaching tool? How? Can it hinder education as well? How? Families who enjoy this series may want to get in touch with nature directly by studying the species indigenous to their area and taking hikes to experience them first-hand.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    bubby00000
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 2.0

    bad

    kids 17 yes

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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