Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Energetic A.M. fun and learning for preschoolers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
SUNNY SIDE UP is a high-energy, three-hour programming block that combines quality kids' shows with exciting live segments designed to encourage preschoolers' curiosity about the world around them and their desire to master critical skills like counting, colors, and letter recognition. The show joins Sprout's other programming blocks, including The Good Night Show, to round out the course of preschoolers' days, taking them from the morning through evening hours with curriculum-based entertainment they're sure to learn from and enjoy. Hosts Carly, Emily, Kaitlin, and Tim, who rotate on-air duties weekly, practically ooze enthusiasm for the featured subject of the day, warmly inviting kids to laugh, play, and learn along with them. Each week, the show centers on a new theme, and youngsters learn about themselves and the world around them as they explore topics like animals, family, and "All About Me." Kids are encouraged repeatedly to interact with the hosts by answering questions, piecing together clues to a puzzle, and counting or reciting facts.
Is It Any Good?
The fact that the show airs live enhances the hosts' abilities to both connect with and teach preschoolers as well, allowing them to reference current holidays and other events and to receive and respond to email submissions in a timely manner. From birthday greetings for young fans to weather reports from kids all over the country, the series incorporates real-life Sproutlets at every turn, even applauding do-gooders with a "Good Egg" award for extra efforts at home or school. Plus, parents will enjoy the celebrity guests including folks like Jon Hamm and Michelle Obama, sharing their unique perspectives on preschool themes.
Mixed in with all of this educational content are abbreviated versions of kids' favorite Sprout shows. The constant back-and-forth between these episodes and the live segments provides plenty of stopping points for parents who want to limit their children's TV intake, so don't be turned off by the show's three-hour "runtime."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the show's various themes. Kids: What was the theme of the show this week? What did you learn? Which of the songs, games, and puzzles were your favorites? What did you like about them?
Parents can expand on the show's weekly themes through books, craft projects, field trips, and discussions. For example, take your kids to a local event or destination that coincides with the featured topic, and talk about what you experience. (An animal theme might inspire a trip to the zoo or an animal shelter, for instance.) For older preschoolers, the show's use of viewers' names and hometowns offers a great opportunity to pull out a map and expose kids to where these states are in relation to their own home.
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 26, 2007
- Cast : Kelly Vrooman , Kevin Yamada , Sean Roach
- Network : Sprout
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Numbers and Letters
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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