Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (PBS)

I began watching this with my son just before he turned 2 and quickly turned it off. Yes, there is behavioral modeling, and trains who are acting 'badly' always get it in the end and learn a lesson, but along with the lesson they learn, I believe it's also teaches bad behavior with examples of jealousy and envy and plain old mean spiritidness. I know this has a big following, and it is age appropriate, but I don't want my son modeling his behavior on these trains.

This show is great. WE watched it when we were 1.

worst show ever

I have been watching Thomas The Tank Engine since I was 6 months old, and I think this is the best stuff you could show your kids. But I also want to point out that the older episodes (Season 2 in particular) is a lot rougher and gruffer than today's lightweight stuff. The phrase "Shut Up" is used 3 times in season 2, but what you parents need to realize (I'm talking to you too reedsmom) is that thomas was NOT originally designed for television in the children-protective United States of America! It was originally written by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry in Britain for books. He was a die-hard railfan and really wanted to reflect people's behavior (the good things and the bad, like friendship, honesty, and on the bad side, arrogance, arguing, and fighting) on railway locomotives. His stories were adapted into TV episodes until about season 6. I personally find the pre-season 6 episodes to be much more enjoyable, because they were actually FUN to watch. They were providing good role models. In Old Iron, James was acting arrogant about Edward's slow speed, but when he uncontrollably runs away, Edward comes to his rescue, regardless of what James said. And I also liked that I could watch a show that wasn't SHOVING the moral RIGHT down my throat. There are morals BUT their not forcing it down your throat. ALSO the older episodes didn't constantly have new characters introduced JUST so the creators could make a quick buck. So If you are okay with letting your child get away from all the abc's and 123's and watching a show that does provide some good morals and role models and is entertaining, I'd highly recommend the earlier seasons. (The episodes with "shut up" in them are: Edward's Exploit, Breakvan, and Diesel's Devious Deed) but for the parents out there who are particulate about what their children can and can't see, and only want their kids watching shows that deliberately cram morals down their throat without the engines arguing or fighting, I would recommend today's episodes (S8-15).

This is way more educational than Barney the purple dinosaur and friends. No product placement! I used to love it when I was a baby and I still watch it all the time! If your baby/child loves trains, than this is the perfect show for your baby/child. Even though this show doesn't teach kids social studies, math, science, different languages, reading or other school subjects, it mostly teaches kids friendship like how to hang out with friends, good messages and role models I watched it when I was a kid and it is a very awesome show for little kids. Very educational! LOVED IT SINCE I WAS JUST A TINY LITTLE BEING!!!!

Currently Thomas only comes on PBS, in my area, once a week. Thankfully we own several videos also. With all of the junk shows out there, we are so glad to have Thomas available. My two year old and my five year old both love Thomas. They also love to 'read' the books and play with the trains. It is fine that the trains get cross with one another and such. We protect our children from being around mean or rude people and this is a great opportunity to explain to our children that not everyone is always nice. Some are grumpy and trouble makers. On Thomas, they work it out. Sometimes the trains persevere difficult things to get the job done. Sometimes they say something rude to someone then end up having to rely on that train to help them out. This series shows children how to get along with others (even when its tough) and many other social situations.

Listen reedsmom Did you actually watch the bit and get the message, Duck was defending a character he did not get along with from abuse, you should have watched the scene, and understood the reasons for this. Now you have basically told your son to ingore another person's suffering for the sake of self preservation. Anyway the current series in my opinion is an insult to the brand. It promote's bullying (The action's of the Logging loco's on misty island), and and a sense of defiance to authorty figure's. It's also massively unrelistic. Don't let your kid's watch this, instead buy them a Season 1-5 DVD or some of the Railway series book's written by The rev w awdry. They are far more edcutional and carry better value's.

My younger brother, Conner, who is two, loves it. My other brother, Gavin, who is eight, loved it when he was littler(he secretly watches it though when Conner is :D) It seems a little boring, but it still has a nice storyline. The toys are fun, but they can be pretty pricey, but they don't directly advertise the toys on the show, which is a great thing.