My neice was a huge fan of Bear, and when I had my daughter I was glad to see that it was still on TV. Since my daughter was around 7 months old, she has adored Bear. She can actually sit through an entire episode without fussing or moving. The characters excite her (especially Tutter and Bear), and the gentle nature that Bear uses to interact with the viewers is superb. It can't help but foster respect for other people, and self confidence in the kids who watch it. The lessons are range from cleaning house to using the potty, to the different seasons. Each subject is treated with the same gravitas, and the opinions and thoughts of kids are nurtured and reinforced.
As an adult who watched his fair share of kids shows growing up (I was nurtured on a diet of Captain Kangaroo, Mister Rogers, Sesame Street and Electric Company), this is the best show I have seen for kids in a long time. Bear is a modern day Captain Kangaroo, the sidekicks are wacky, the lessons are important, and the kids are talked to, not talked at or talked down to.
As an adult who watched his fair share of kids shows growing up (I was nurtured on a diet of Captain Kangaroo, Mister Rogers, Sesame Street and Electric Company), this is the best show I have seen for kids in a long time. Bear is a modern day Captain Kangaroo, the sidekicks are wacky, the lessons are important, and the kids are talked to, not talked at or talked down to.