In 1999, we got our first look at Dora Marquez, a young bilingual girl who takes children through interactive adventures in her world in every episode. Dora's exact nationality, not that it has any real bearing on the show, has remained vague, but most of her adventures have reference to animals that are found in both North and South America. Part of the show's obvious goal is to expose children to the Spanish language. Dora has many friends in her world, but her most trusted companion is a monkey named Boots. You will rarely ever see the two of them separated.
In Boots's Cuddly Dinosaur, Boots loses his dinosaur on the way to a sleepover at Dora's. It is up to Dora and Boots to find the dinosaur, so that Boots can sleep.
When Dora loses Osito, her teddy bear, she must go to The City of Lost Toys. Along the way, she meets several friends who have lost items that must also be recovered.
Dora has twin siblings who often embark on imaginary adventures as the The Super Babies. In Super Babies' Dream Adventure, Dora tells the twins a naptime story to help the super duo go to sleep.
In Louder, Dora and Boots must help Little Red Rooster wake up the sun. He has a sore throat, and must regain his voice so that he can be loud enough to wake the sun.
When Little Star falls to Earth from up above the world so high, Dora and Boots must find a way to put her back in the sky.
Dora and Boots travel into a book in Dora Had a Little Lamb. They have to get the little lamb back to where it come from.
All six episodes follow the very formulaic principals of Dora the Explorer. Whether it is finding an item or traveling to a location, they begin by first identifying a goal. Next, they employ the use of The Map to find how to get there. There are always three landmarks they must find and each of these landmarks will present some problem that will need to be solved. The path between the landmarks will involve some form of direct interaction between Dora and her audience. Along the way, they must also use tools or items carried by Backpack. There is a song and dance associated with every accomplished task.
Dora is a welcome staple in my home. My children have used counting skills most directly related to their exposure to the show. There are tons of academic applications and principals brought forth in the entirety of Dora the Explorer's world. There are too many interactive, associative, tactile applications to be able to name them all here. More importantly than any of the academic initiatives that there are trying to make is that my kids love watching her and have fun with it.
If I have any dig on Dora, whatsoever, I don't see the language familiarization happening enough. They mention the Spanish equivalent to a word, but unless I work directly along with them, the association doesn't happen. I know the sole purpose of the show is not specifically to teach Spanish, but they do so many other repetitive exercises with words and ideas that I think they could push equally as hard on the language. This disk only has English subtitles and audio. I think that is a real tragedy.
If you have explorers in your house, you already know most of this. Dora's Slumber Party should be a welcome addition to your children's television exposure.
