Abstract
This article attempts to explain the present state of educational preschool programming in the context of an ecological and evolutionary model. We propose that three groundbreaking shows (Sesame Street, Blue's Clues, and Dora the Explorer) have contributed to the present wealth of quality television options for this age group in the US due to the unique way they responded to the larger sociocultural and political climate, as well as their innovative approach to format, curriculum, and research.