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Dora the Explorer

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 3.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Preschoolers will love Dora's ongoing adventures.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 3 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Dora, who's bilingual, translates Spanish phrases into English and vice-versa. With all of the repetition, kids are bound to pick some of it up. Kids will also learn about culture.
  • Messages:

    The show focuses on cooperation and working together with others to achieve goals.
  • Role models:

    Dora is a spunky, determined girl who approaches problems with a can-do attitude.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    The show has spawned a commercial empire; fans may start clamoring for everything Dora.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Dora the Explorer was written by Joly Herman

Parents need to know that Dora is a bilingual communicator who can speak with all of the critters and humans in her vicinity. Some of the language lessons may rub off on kids -- but other viewers might get bored. Since phrases are constantly repeated, parents may want to consider whether they want their kids to be repeating the same episodes all day. The series offers good exposure to language, culture, and creativity.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the program's repetition -- is it a good learning tool, or does it make the program seem like virtual brainwashing?
  • What do kids think about the show's lessons about language and culture?
  • Is Dora a good role model?
Did this review help you decide?

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More on Dora the Explorer

What’s the Story?

DORA THE EXPLORER is about a young girl and her companion, a monkey named Boots, who are always on the go. They travel over rivers and mountains to reach whatever goal has been set for a particular episode. Dora gets help from her trusty talking backpack full of necessary items and her map, which illustrates the obstacles between Dora and her goal. When Dora reaches her destination, she and Boots break out in song and dance, exclaiming "We did it, we did it!"

Is It Any Good?

On one hand, Dora is an admirable character with a can-do attitude. On the other hand, the show can seem simplistic -- even for young viewers. Challenges are often similar, which may get a bit monotonous.

Still, the bilingual and cultural aspects of the show are right on target, featuring music, holidays, and plants and animals relevant to Central and South American culture. And Dora often decides to "stop and think" about a problem when she can't immediately solve it, proving her to be a thoughtful, patient heroine.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    2 words hate it!

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 3 and give it 2.0

    Only good for about 2 months

    Dora is extremely repetitve, I think the song "Backpack" is just the word backpack yelled 16 times. Many people talk about the benefits of learning Spanish but they don't use enough words. They go to completely made up places that make no sense - Cupcake Mountain is nothing but a giant cupcake. When my daughter was 2 it was good for her learning words like under, on, through, etc. By 3 I could tell she was beyond it, but she wanted to watch it all the time. I banned it.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Lame.

    Borin'. I loved this show while I was YOUNGER. Also when I was 4, a 2 year old ran up to me becuase she thought I WAS DORA.

  4. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    uhhhhhhhhhhh this show is soooooooo LAME!!

    only preschoolers will love this horrible show! Which doesent surprise me because this show is sooooooooooooo boring!!!

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Uh..

    Uh.. it's ok for kiddies, loved to play the games.

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