Gotta Have It: Round-the-Clock Educational TV for Tots

As a good mama, you know that too much TV is a no-no. But as a real mom, you also know that some nights the only way you can get dinner on the table is with a little help from the boob tube. But the educational, age-appropriate (read: less guilt-inducing) programs seemed to evaporate at 6 p.m. You need some babe-distracting options, quick -- and that Beverly Hills, 90210 rerun isn't cutting it.

Problem solved: NOGGIN, Nickelodeon's preschool-age station, recently upped its programming from 12 to 24 hours a day. Instead of airing between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., NOGGIN -- and such shows as Oobi, Jack's Big Music Show, and Wonder Pets! -- is now available around the clock. That means that intellectually stimulating, commercial-free kiddie TV is always available to help you during those pinch situations -- no matter what time it is. Need to help your kid settle down for bedtime? Let them catch up with Dora and Diego between 7 and 8 p.m. Kid feeling barfy in the middle of the night? Maurice Sendak's Little Bear airs at 3 a.m.

NOGGIN is available on cable, digital cable, and satellite TV. For more information, contact your cable provider or go to www.noggin.com.

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