Parents' Guide to Catie's Amazing Machines

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Common Sense Media Review

Melissa Camacho By Melissa Camacho , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 5+

Stereotype-busting STEM show has lots of fun vehicles.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 5+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 4+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

CATIE'S AMAZING MACHINES features British rally driver Catie Munnings as she introduces viewers to some of the fastest, biggest, and most impressive machines on the planet. Each episode features Catie showcasing three different vehicles that have related features or functions. With the help of some experts, she briefly discusses their functions, and how they work. She then gets a chance to drive, fly, or sail them herself. From giant monster trucks and construction excavators, to helicopters, clipper ships, and military crafts that operate on land or sea, Catie shows some of the most exciting machines that people are using to get form place to place.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

This entertaining series offers preschoolers a chance to learn more about different kinds of vehicles and how they work. While the concept itself isn't particularly original, the fact that it is hosted by a woman makes it feel like it is. Despite a rising number of women in motor sports, and in the fields of science and engineering, Catie Munnings' presence still manages to create the sense that the show is, in part, meant to challenge gender stereotypes as as they relate to machines, technology, and who uses them. Adding to this are some of the host's obvious efforts to stay away from gender-specific terminology. These aren't bad things, since they serves to normalize the presence of people from all walks of life in these areas for future generations. But what also makes Catie's Amazing Machines fun is that it features enough big, fast, and sophisticated vehicles to satisfy young motor vehicle enthusiasts.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about car racing and motorsports. How does science and engineering contribute to it?

  • What is a rally driver? Why is this driven from a race car driver?

  • Does Catie's Amazing Machines challenge gender stereotypes? If so, how?

TV Details

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