Parents' Guide to

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Excellent lessons from Mister Rogers' next generation.

TV PBS Kids Educational 2012
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 2+

Based on 34 parent reviews

lorenserruya
lorenserruya Parent of 3-year-old
August 16, 2022
age 2+

Teaches kids to be brats

Daniel throws a tantrum about EVERYTHING! This show turned my angels child into a stopping feet, screaming, defiant little brat. We cut this out and she is slowly turning back into her living self .

This title has:

Too much swearing
2 people found this helpful.
EowyntheFair
EowyntheFair Adult
September 14, 2020
age 2+

Good show! Ignore the haters.

This show is overwhelmingly positive. The songs are memorable and well done, so your child can remember them. It has elements of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood that parents will love and teaches educational things like how crayons are made or about musical instruments. Moral/Emptional/Practical lessons include Friends help each other Stop and go potty right away! Find a way to play together Ways to say "I love you" How to be happy when it isn't your party Dealing with having a new baby Some complained about Daniel expressing anger, but the episode is meant to teach kids to talk about it and express it rather than hurting others or breaking things. I saw another review that talked about how Daniel is often annoyed by something. This is a teaching show, if he never had anything going wrong the show wouldn't be educational. And apparently whoever wrote that review doesn't watch 3 year olds play much. lol. Lastly, I saw people complaining about the fact that Daniel doesn't wear pants. A tiger walks upright and is friends with a prince and an owl, his teacher is a human, and his dad works in a clock shop...your biggest concern is his pants? Lol. My toddler likes it!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
2 people found this helpful.
See all 34 parent reviews

What's the Story?

From The Fred Rogers Company comes DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD, an animated series that invites preschoolers into the friendly hometown of 4-year-old Daniel Tiger (voiced by Jake Beale), a curious, imaginative kid who loves to embark on adventures with his friends O the Owl (Zachary Bloch), Miss Elaina (Addison Holley), Katerina Kittycat (Amariah Faulkner), and Prince Wednesday (Nicholas Kaegi). As Daniel and his pals explore their world, they find things don't always work out according to plan, but each misfortune can be turned into a positive opportunity if they have a positive attitude. Through songs, stories, and make believe, Daniel and his viewers learn the value of friendship and emotional flexibility, which helps them navigate the choppy waters of growing up.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (34 ):
Kids say (18 ):

This endearing show was inspired by the award-winning Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and its relationship to this iconic kids' series gives parents good reason to tune in with their tots. Kids who are brand new to the Mister Rogers characters will take an immediate shine to this modern animated generation, and moms and dads who cut their teeth on King Friday, X the Owl, and Lady Elaine Fairchilde will delight in the touches of the classics noticeable in those characters' preschool-age kids, nieces, and nephews. And the parallels don't stop there; Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood pays respectful homage to Mister Rogers with its music, its stories, and, of course, its very welcoming host.

And, not content to just look and sound like the original, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood appeals to preschoolers on a level that only animation can, taking the opportunity to teach them important interpersonal and pre-reading skills. Because Daniel speaks directly to his audience, kids feel like they're part of the story from the beginning, and they'll feel his disappointments, share his joys, and learn lessons along with him. Need another reason to love it? Its seamless incorporation of preschool skills like counting and phonics is a good reminder of how easily these can be practiced when you're playing with your kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about relationships. How do Daniel and his friends show their affection for one another in Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood? What are your favorite things to do for your friends or your siblings?

  • Kids: What problem did the characters face in this episode? How did it make them feel? How were they able to deal with it? What, if anything, would you have done differently?

  • Parents can use this opportunity to talk about how people rely on each other in a neighborhood or a town. What roles do people play in the town where you live? What would happen if no one did these jobs?

  • How do the characters in Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood demonstrate communication, curiosity, and teamwork? What about compassion and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?

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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