Dora the Explorer
By Joly Herman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Preschoolers will love Dora's ongoing adventures.
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Dora the Explorer
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Based on 63 parent reviews
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What's the Story?
DORA THE EXPLORER is about a young girl and her companion, a monkey named Boots, who are always on the go. They travel over rivers and mountains to reach whatever goal has been set for a particular episode. Dora gets help from her trusty talking backpack full of necessary items and her map, which illustrates the obstacles between Dora and her goal. When Dora reaches her destination, she and Boots break out in song and dance, exclaiming "We did it, we did it!"
Is It Any Good?
On one hand, Dora is an admirable character with a can-do attitude, but on the other hand, the show can seem simplistic -- even for young viewers. Challenges are often similar, which may get a bit monotonous.
Still, the bilingual and cultural aspects of Dora the Explorer are right on target, featuring music, holidays, and plants and animals relevant to Central and South American culture. And Dora often decides to "stop and think" about a problem when she can't immediately solve it, proving her to be a thoughtful, patient heroine.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dora the Explorer's repetition -- is it a good learning tool, or does it make the program seem like virtual brainwashing?
What do kids think about the show's lessons about language and culture?
Is Dora a good role model?
How do Dora and her friends demonstrate communication, curiosity, and perseverance in Dora the Explorer. Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 14, 2000
- Cast: Caitlin Sanchez, Harrison Chad, Kathleen Herles, Marc Weiner
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication, Curiosity, Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: September 22, 2022
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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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