SpongeBob may help enrich kids’ vocabulary, study finds

Which kids’ TV shows have the biggest vocabulary?

Patrick and SpongeBob in SpongeBob SquarePants

In today’s age of on-demand viewing through streaming services, a lot of children in the United States spend at least three hours a day watching TV. While several parents are worried about their kids spending too much time on screens, a recent study on television watching and child development suggests that parents should be more concerned about the quality or context of what their kids watch, rather than on the quantity.

This finding inspired the team at BusinessNameGenerator.com to determine which of the most popular kids’ TV shows are the best for helping children to enrich their vocabulary. To find out which children’s TV shows had the widest vocabulary, the team used the top 30 most popular “Family” shows from IMDb TV, rated TV -14 or below, as their starting point. Then for each of these shows, they analyzed an average sample of 25,000 words per show to find out how many of the words used were “unique” or were only used once in the sample. The more diverse a show’s vocabulary is, the more opportunities it provides for children to learn new words and expand their language skills.

Which children’s TV shows have the richest vocabulary?

The results of the study revealed that SpongeBob SquarePants was the kids’ TV series with the most impressive vocabulary. The Stephen Hillenburg-created series used 213 unique words in every 1000 words that appeared in the sampling, meaning 21% of the words analyzed for the show were unique.

SpongeBob SquarePants was followed by Stuck in the Middle with 212 unique words, The Dragon Prince with 204 unique words, Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure with 192 unique words, and 7th Heaven with 189 words.

Completing the top 10 were The Middle with 173 unique words, Anne with 167 unique words, Pokémon with 158 unique words, The Owl House with 157 unique words, and The New Addams Family with 154 unique words.

It is worth noting that the top three shows all used more than 20% unique words, four of the top 10 shows originally aired during the 1990s, and 50% of the top-ranking TV series were animated.

Which kids shows have the biggest vocabulary?
Credit: BusinessNameGenerator.com

DreamWorks TV Writer Holly Payne took to Twitter to share the results of the study, noting that the research is a “great example” of why she encourages “writers never to talk down to kids.”

“We must be confident in including vocabulary that young kids may not already know, because that is how they learn!” she wrote in a couple of tweets. “Use the same words adults use and explain, or, better yet, make their meanings clear and memorable through emotional or humorous visuals, sound, and repetition.”

Cartoon News Network also shared the findings of the study on Twitter, and several SpongeBob SquarePants fans affirmed that the TV show has indeed helped them improve their vocabulary.

Is SpongeBob for 11-year-olds?

SpongeBob SquarePants is rated TV-Y as it is designed for children between the ages of 6 and 11.

Is SpongeBob a kid or a grown-up?

SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg previously said that SpongeBob is meant to be ageless in order for the show to appeal to a wider audience. The creator also stated before that the titular character is 50 years old in “sponge years,” but is likely much younger in human years.

While the human-to-sponge year ratio is not clear, fans were able to get a hint at what SpongeBob’s age may be in human years in the episodes Sleepy Time and No Free Rides, in which his driver’s license was shown and his birthdate was revealed to be July 14th, 1986.

Although fans won’t describe SpongeBob as mature, the episode Grandma’s Kisses suggests that he is an adult sponge. In the episode, SpongeBob was teased by his friends about the way his grandma treats him like a child. He decided to act more like an adult but after he struggled miserably, her grandma reminded him: “Remember, you can kiss your grandma and still be an adult.”

Is SpongeBob a female?

No. SpongeBob is a male, not a female. The character has been voiced by comedian Tom Kenny since SpongeBob SquarePants launched in 1999.

When did SpongeBob end?

SpongeBob may help enrich kids’ vocabulary, study finds 2

SpongeBob SquarePants hasn’t ended yet. The series premiered in 1999 and is currently on its season 13. In March 2022, the show was renewed for a 14th season.

SpongeBob SquarePants has also spawned two spin-off series, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years and The Patrick Star Show, which both premiered in 2021.

On the movie front, SpongeBob SquarePants has already inspired three movies: 2004’s The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, 2015’s Sponge Out of Water, and 2020’s Sponge on the Run. As of February 2022, four additional films are planned: three character spinoff films for Paramount+, and a new SpongeBob film for theatrical release.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN | Official Trailer | Paramount Pictures

What is SpongeBob’s real name?

A number of fan sites list SpongeBob’s real complete name as Robert “SpongeBob” Harold SquarePants Sr.

Are SpongeBob and Patrick a couple?

Patrick and SpongeBob

No. SpongeBob and Patrick are not a couple. The characters have a platonic relationship and see themselves as friends who just love to play together. Also, SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg previously stated that SpongeBob is asexual.

Where can you watch SpongeBob?

All 13 seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants are streaming on DirecTV. You can also watch the first 12 seasons of the show on Paramount+, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, and Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.

SpongeBob coloring pages

Do your kids love all things SpongeBob? Then delight them with this SpongeBob Coloring and Activity book set!

SpongeBob SquarePants Coloring Book Set with Coloring Book, Imagine Ink Mess-Free Coloring Book, and Stickers
$9.99
  • Games, puzzles, mazes, and coloring fun with SpongeBob and his friends.
  • Set of 1 coloring book, 1 Imagine Ink Mess-Free coloring book, and bonus SpongeBob stickers.
  • Great gift for your favorite SpongeBob SquarePants enthusiast! This coloring and activity set will provide many hours of fun!
Buy Now
03/01/2024 07:47 am GMT
Sources: BusinessNameGenerator.com, The Cold Wire
If you buy something from a GEEKSPIN link, we may earn a commission