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SeeMore's Playhouse (PBS)

common sense media says

Cute puppets sing about safety for preschoolers.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show combines animation, puppetry, and music to teach preschoolers the basics of safety and wellness. It has sing-along songs, soft visuals, funny storylines, and cuddly animal characters who talk to one another about being safe in the water, on a bicycle, and even when playing hide and seek. Preschoolers will be interested, but 5- to 6-year-olds may find the program too young for their taste.

Positive messages: Themes include working as a team, respecting differences, communicating responsively, and taking action for your own safety.
Violence & scariness: In the context of discussions about safety, SeeMore mentions avoiding hurting yourself with a sharp knife or getting burned by a hot oven.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Branding is inevitable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on SeeMore's Playhouse

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about safety in their own home. How can you use the tips from the show? What did you learn about safety? Parents can also point out the challenges of working in a group that has lots of different personalities. What do you say to someone you think is trying to boss you around? What about someone who just doesn't want to help even when you ask them to?

What's the story?

What's the story?
SEEMORE'S PLAYHOUSE revolves around SeeMore the Safety Seal (voiced by Frankie Cordero) and his animal friends: Basil the Wombat, Shades the Wolf, Lottie the Lamb, Penny the Pup, Barb the Porcupine, and Harry the Hippo. In each episode, the gang talks about ways kids can stay safe at home and around their neighborhood, as well as the importance of taking care of their health. Animation is mixed in with the puppetry; the animated segments feature the same characters, who present the safety topic again as a knock-knock joke or in another funny form. Adults may cringe at song lyrics about keeping away from sharp objects in the kitchen or avoiding an oven as a hide-and-seek hiding spot, but these characters help kids understand that everyone, including themselves, can take an active role in keeping one another safe and sound.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

By creating appealing characters and mixing up the format, SeeMore's producers have found a way to keep kids with miniscule attention spans on one topic through an entire 28-minute show. SeeMore's friends are a good mix of girls and boys, they all look different enough to tell apart, and they have unique personalities (some also have accents from Down Under). Some of the characters are easier to play with than others, but they all have to learn to play together -- a good example for preschoolers.

Although the show has the same soft feel as Bear in the Big Blue House, the quality of the songs and the overall production aren't quite as high. And once kids hit kindergarten, they'll probably be bored by SeeMore's simple plots and characters. So, parents, enjoy it while you can, and watch the show with your little ones to help them learn about taking care of themselves, staying safe, and playing cooperatively.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: PBS
Cast: Frankie Cordero
Genre: Educational
Where to watch: PBS
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

cassg
adult
 
Cheap and Unengaging!
My kids couldn't sit through 5 minutes. The show is boring to me and even more boring to my kids. Looks like a high school production with cheap puppets and cheap animation. The subject is worthy of something better than this!
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tvgarrett
adult
 
Ok, so here's what I think...
My kid (5 yrs.) did not sit through the whole show, though she did enjoy the music videos. Like some of the other reviewers have mentioned, not all of the vocals are very engaging. Luckily, a couple of characters save the others' sour notes. The show seems promising, but we really should have higher standards. We can criticize the writing, sure...but, I think that some episodes did well with writing safety issues into the storylines. There have been many great characters/actors that can save bad writing...perhaps some of the voice performers or puppet people can raise the stakes?
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davidjohnson
adult
 
It's OK
A well-intentioned program, obviously researched well, but for the most part, with just inexperienced actors (puppetiers). some of the issues seem to be geared toward older children, which is great, but most of the puppets speak way to baby-ish to hold the attention of an older child.
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NancyFL
adult
 
Great show - My kids love it!
SeeMore's Playhouse is a great show - my children love it and already know the songs. My son has even embrased washing his hands which was a daily battle until now. Despite what I suspect is the same person posing as several people posting poor reviews, I say tune in for yourself. The show is adorable and worthwhile.
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Maria S
adult
 
Just another waste of airtime!
I don't think it's possible to be any more boring. It was the perfect way to put my kids to sleep. Even my 3 year old couldn't sit through the show. Bad production, bad puppets and bad singing...
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judd
adult
 
Who is this show made for?
I would think that the subject of safety would inspire a more well produced, content driven program. As in much of kid's TV, the bar is way too low. Poorly written dialog that is sometimes relieved by a few good songs. Seemore's Playhouse often abandons it's safety mission in favor of sappy, boring and ineffective "motivational" diddies. Cheesy graphic sets and unengaging vocal performances cry out for a "back to the drawing board" scenario.
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Cartoonaholic_ ...
adult
 
SeeMore Rules!!!
SeeMore's Playhouse is one of the greatest shows I ever seen!!! This show's puppetry is apparently reminiscent to Bear and the Big Blue House and Nanalan'. Originally, I thought it was going to be clone of Pee-Wee's Playhouse, but this here show teaches kids how to be safe, you know what? This show even made Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol a thing in the past. In those animated pop quiz segments, SeeMore looks like he's pulled out of the old 1990's cartoon, 2 Stupid Dogs *gag*!!! I hate to say this, Barney, but not even YOU can't stand up to the power of SeeMore! LONG LIVE SEEMORE THE SAFETY SEAL!!!
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doublek28
adult
 
My Niece's are enjoying the show and sing along with the songs which remind us to stay away from unknown liquids and sharp objects. It is nice that the show is getting through to at least a 4 year old.
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