The Adventures of Paddington – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Adventures of Paddington

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

85%

WISE Score

8.3

IMDb

The politest bear in London teaches preschoolers about kindness, curiosity, and the proper way to eat a marmalade sandwich.

8.3/10

7.7

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The Adventures of Paddington

show

TV-Y, 2019

85%

WISE Score

8.3

IMDb

The politest bear in London teaches preschoolers about kindness, curiosity, and the proper way to eat a marmalade sandwich.

8.3

7.7

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8.3/10

7.7

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Screenwise Verdict

This is top-tier preschool content—the kind you actually feel good about your kid watching. Paddington is unfailingly kind, curious, and well-mannered without being preachy or boring. The show teaches empathy, problem-solving, and cultural awareness through a bear who genuinely loves marmalade and making friends.

The British charm is real, and parents will appreciate humor that doesn't make them want to throw the remote. It's not going to teach your kid to code or do fractions, but it will model the kind of emotional intelligence and kindness that actually matters.

The main limitation is pacing—it's deliberately slow and gentle, which is developmentally perfect for preschoolers but will lose older kids who've been raised on YouTube's frenetic editing. If your 4-year-old is already deep into high-stimulation content, this might feel like watching paint dry. But if you're trying to establish a calmer media diet, Paddington is your bear.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 3-7, especially preschool through early elementary. The gentle pacing and clear emotional lessons hit the sweet spot for this age group. By 8+, most kids will have moved on to faster-paced content, though nostalgic or younger-at-heart kids might still enjoy it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Paddington is the gold standard for wholesome children's content. The show centers on a polite, well-meaning bear who writes letters to his Aunt Lucy about daily discoveries, modeling gratitude, curiosity, and kindness. The British sensibility brings gentle humor without meanness or chaos. Pacing is calm and age-appropriate for preschool/early elementary viewers.

Imaginative

The premise of a bear exploring London and discovering new things daily invites curiosity and wonder. The letter-writing framing device is charming and models thoughtful reflection. However, as a CG-animated adaptation of a beloved classic, it's more interpretive than groundbreaking—it's imaginative within established boundaries rather than wildly original.

Safe

Exceptionally safe for young viewers. Paddington content is famously gentle—no violence, no scary elements, no inappropriate content. The show has kids mode available on platforms. The worst thing that happens is marmalade-related mishaps. This is the show you put on when you need zero surprises.

Enriching

Paddington models excellent manners, empathy, problem-solving, and cultural curiosity about London. The letter-writing format subtly promotes literacy and reflection. It teaches cooperation and kindness through example. However, it's primarily gentle entertainment rather than deeply educational—kids learn social-emotional skills more than academic content. TMDB rating of 7.7 suggests solid viewer satisfaction.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Paddington is basically a masterclass in manners and empathy—your kid will start saying 'please' and 'thank you' in a British accent
Genuinely wholesome without being saccharine; the humor works for adults too (think Ted Lasso vibes but for preschoolers)
The letter-writing framing is sweet and models reflection and gratitude in a way that feels natural
Zero content concerns—this is the show you can put on while you take a shower without worrying what they're watching
Introduces London culture and British vocabulary in an accessible way

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What to Watch For

The pacing is deliberately gentle, which is perfect for younger kids but might bore screen-savvy older elementary kids
It's quite British (accents, cultural references), which is charming but might need occasional translation for American kids
Some kids might find it 'babyish' after age 6 or 7, depending on their media diet

Conversation Starters

"Paddington writes letters to Aunt Lucy about what he learns—what would you write to someone about your day?"
"Why do you think Paddington is always so polite, even when things go wrong?"
"What's something new you discovered today, like Paddington does?"
"Have you ever tried marmalade? Want to have a Paddington-style snack?"

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