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Parents' Guide to

Arthur's First Day

By Stephanie Snyder, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Classic characters learn that change can be a good thing.

Arthur's First Day Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 6+

Based on 4 parent reviews

age 6+
age 6+

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The long-running series Arthur has the recipe for a classic show that is appropriate and enjoyable for young viewers, and the one-hour PBS Kids special is no different. From the upbeat theme song to the lovable characters, kids will be hooked on Arthur's First Day, and parents who grew up on the original show will tap into the nostalgia of their childhood. Despite those warm fuzzy feelings, parents may start to tune out after another dream sequence that runs longer than necessary or the unrealistic portrayal of students who are rarely supervised by adults at school.

Nevertheless, the show does an effective job of capturing the positive and not-so-positive emotions related to the first day of school from many angles: kindergartners who are just getting started, fourth graders who know what to expect, and older kids who are seasoned enough to help others have a positive experience. This special is unique in how characters creatively solve a problem, which should give families plenty to discuss on the first day -- or any day -- of school.

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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