Ideally, at least some of a child’s television time should serve as a learning opportunity. But it turns out that many so-called educational TV shows earn an F, according to a study by the nonpartisan research group Children New. After analyzing a variety of children’s programming for factors including the clarity of message and how well the lesson related to real life, researchers determined that only one episode of every eight qualified as “highly educational.” Top picks: Sesame Street, Beakman’s World, Between the Lions, 3-2-1 Penguins!, Cyberchase, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman, and Teen Kids News. What to avoid: Curious George, The Replacements and That’s So Raven.

In addition to a better media diet, nourish your little one's noggin with the 6 best brain foods. Then, check out these two articles to help keep your entire family healthy: