In the event you’ve ever had a room full of children arguing over whose flip it’s, you already know why instructing kindness and friendship issues, and why it’s more durable than it sounds. That’s the place Bluey is available in. Like most academics, I knew it as a preferred present that children love a lot, however as soon as I began paying consideration, I obtained it. In 2025, it was probably the most‑watched present in america, streamed almost 40 billion occasions, and it’s simple to search out on Disney+, Bluey TV, and YouTube. What shocked me, too, wasn’t simply how entertaining it’s, however how naturally it exhibits youngsters issues we’re consistently making an attempt to show: empathy, cooperation, repairing errors, and being a very good pal.
Bluey understands what we academics already know to be true: Play issues, creativeness issues, and massive emotions matter. Bluey, a feminine blue heeler canine, navigates on a regular basis household life with a way of honesty and deep familiarity. Strange moments flip into extraordinary adventures, and youngsters see their very own experiences mirrored again at them with heat and care. As an elementary instructor, I’m at all times in search of methods to guard play whereas nonetheless giving youngsters one thing to construct from. That’s why I used to be so excited when the BBC Studying Hub and We Are Academics requested me to to evaluate and take a look at classes from the Studying Hub’s new Bluey assortment. There are 15 free episodes, every with actions that assist foster youngsters’ pondering and emotions.
5 Nice Episodes of Bluey I’ve Used within the Classroom, Plus Actions To Go With Them
1. Watch the “Seesaw” episode to show about imaginative play.
What it teaches: One factor I discover is that a lot of my kindergartners wish to play imaginatively, however they aren’t at all times positive how one can start or how one can preserve a sport going as soon as it begins. In kindergarten, free play can really feel overwhelming and not using a shared thought to anchor it. I believe an important place to begin is the “Seesaw” episode of Bluey. You will discover the actions that go along with this episode on the BBC Studying Hub, making it simple to observe the episode after which transfer immediately into play. Within the episode, Bluey and Bingo experiment with steadiness, fall down, snort, and preserve making an attempt till they determine it out collectively.
After watching: Children can discover steadiness and motion by the paired exercise, adjusting and making an attempt once more identical to they noticed onscreen. Seeing play unfold imperfectly helps youngsters really feel comfy leaping in and giving it a attempt.
Bluey touches on virtually all the core parts of resilience: trusting relationships, emotional communication, problem-solving, self-regulation, empathy. (Science Alert)
2. Attempt the “Asparagus” episode to get youngsters speaking about manners and why they matter.
What it teaches: Another excuse Bluey matches so naturally into the college day is the size of the episodes. They’re quick sufficient to carry consideration however significant sufficient to stick with youngsters after the episode is over. The “Asparagus” episode is a robust instance. Bluey is aware of she ought to use her manners, however when magic asparagus enters the image, the whole lot shortly turns foolish and chaotic. Children acknowledge that feeling straight away.
After watching: This exercise provides youngsters a playful option to follow good manners and take into consideration how their decisions have an effect on others. Actions like pretending to be manners detectives or appearing out totally different responses give youngsters area to discover kindness and persistence by play.
3. Share the “Let’s Get Ice Cream” episode for instructing about managing let-downs.
What it teaches: Typically play doesn’t go precisely as deliberate, and that may be arduous for younger youngsters. Within the “Let’s Get Ice Cream” episode, Bluey and Bingo are so centered on making issues truthful that they spend all their time circling one another as a substitute of having fun with their ice cream. Earlier than they notice it, each ice lotions have fully melted. Dad refuses to purchase them new ones, and when he lastly shares his personal, there is just one spoon left. Children instantly perceive this example. They acknowledge the frustration, the frustration, and the sensation of wanting issues to be truthful.
After watching: Children can work on equity and taking turns by playful sharing and easy decision-making. Sharing supplies, ready, and speaking about truthful versus equal provides youngsters a secure option to work by massive emotions whereas staying linked to at least one one other.
Play can facilitate real progress—socially, emotionally, developmentally. (The Guardian)
4. Try the “Faceytalk” episode for speaking about persistence and progress mindset.
What it teaches: Free play will be difficult for youths who need clear instructions or rapid success. When one thing doesn’t work straight away, it’s simple to really feel caught. The “Faceytalk” episode displays this in a method youngsters acknowledge immediately. Muffin needs to remain on the display screen and end drawing her cowboy hat, and she or he refuses to provide Socks a flip. What begins as pleasure turns into irritating as Muffin takes up increasingly area.
After watching: The “Faceytalk” exercise provides youngsters an opportunity to follow sharing and taking turns by play. Drawing collectively, passing management, and ensuring everybody will get an opportunity to take part helps youngsters see how kindness and consideration preserve play transferring ahead.
5. Instructing about effort and self-acceptance is simpler with the “It’s a Child Race” episode.
What it teaches: It’s so simple for youths to check themselves to others, even at a younger age. Who is quicker? Will I end first? Who can do one thing higher? I see this come up on a regular basis in kindergarten. The “It’s a Child Race” Bluey episode captures that feeling in a mild, reassuring method. Bluey wonders if she is best than the others. Mum reminds her to “run your personal race.” As Mum appears to be like again on Bluey and Judo as infants, we see how in a different way they every develop. Bluey rolls, bum shuffles, crawls backwards, and tries the whole lot besides what Mum is anticipating. Then, Bluey strikes from crawling backwards to strolling straight towards Mum within the kitchen. Everybody will get there in their very own method and in their very own time. Children hook up with this episode instantly. They acknowledge the strain to maintain up and the consolation that comes from realizing they don’t have to maneuver on the similar tempo as everybody else.
After watching: The “Child Race” exercise helps youngsters discover the thought of effort, encouragement, and transferring at their very own tempo. Transferring alongside totally different paths, tracing strains, and cheering one another on helps youngsters assist each other moderately than compete. It creates area for youths to speak about progress and celebrating progress in a supportive method.
Why Bluey Belongs in Lecture rooms
On the finish of the day, what makes Bluey so helpful within the classroom isn’t simply that children find it irresistible, it’s that the teachings are already there. The episodes give college students a shared story to speak about, a personality to narrate to, and a low‑stakes option to discover massive concepts like equity, empathy, frustration, and making issues proper after you mess up. As an alternative of ranging from scratch or lecturing about “being type,” you may level to a second in an episode and ask, What would you do? Instantly the dialog feels actual.
The actions that go along with these episodes make it even simpler to construct on what youngsters see. They flip quick, acquainted tales into significant discussions, play, and reflection with out taking the enjoyment out of studying. When instructing friendship and kindness can really feel overwhelming or summary, Bluey helps make these abilities seen, concrete, and doable.
If Bluey already has a spot in your classroom conversations and play, the BBC Studying Hub is the pure subsequent cease. It brings collectively Bluey actions, concepts, and playful experiences designed to suit the way in which younger youngsters be taught finest. Whether or not you might be in search of a spark for imaginative play, a shared expertise to speak about emotions, or a mild option to construct connection by play, the Bluey associate web site on the BBC Studying Hub makes it simple.
