Dora Explorer

YMA recommendation

	Approved as non-violent media
Most suitable age range: 2-4

Availability

About the program

Synopsis

Dora and her friend Boots the monkey delight in helping their fellow creatures and find adventure at every turn. Together they set off to help a lost lamb find Mary, to repair a punctured balloon with sticky tape, and solve the mystery of missing alphabet animals. With the help of a map, the viewers and odds and ends from Dora’s backpack they complete their tasks and learn lots in the process.

Points to consider

Words of caution

• None

Positive aspects

• introduces children to the Spanish language
• demonstrates map reading skills
• uses repetition to help remember as well as to reinforce concepts learned
• uses early maths skills such as counting and adding
• encourages early reading skills by looking at letter identification
• encourages children to try and taste new foods
• involves children in the show by constantly asking them questions or encouraging them to participate
• takes a simple object and looks at many varied and creative uses for it
• Dora and Boots are always respectful, helpful and kind. They look at the positive side and ask each other what part of the journey they liked best.
• There is a “naughty” character called Swiper who likes to follow Dora and cause trouble by taking things. Dora demonstrates positive and assertive reactions to this behaviour by putting up a hand as if to say ‘Stop’ and saying “Swiper no swiping” three times. Swiper then leaves and Dora is able to continue with her mission. This provides children with a constructive, empowering, strategy for what they can do to assert themselves if someone is doing something that they do not like. The Swiper scene is included in most shows and children are encouraged to join Dora in saying “Swiper, no swiping.”

Questions to ask

• Dora used the Spanish word ‘fantastico’. What do you suppose it means?
• Dora had never tried a pickled pepper before. Did she like it? What would have happened if she hadn’t tried it? Is there a food that you haven’t tried that you might like to try?
• Parents are provided with the opportunity to discuss assertive strategies for difficult situations, to help their children see beyond the basic uses for different objects and discover more creative ways to use them as well as to look at the positive side of things and to try to find something to be glad about or grateful for even under difficult circumstances.