HEAD OF THE CLASS

While “Sesame Street” may be the most familiar standby for preschoolers and their parents, it may have some competition when several new educational shows for 2- to 6-year-olds make their bow.

FOX

Fox’s two Southern California affiliates this fall introduce Fox’s Cubhouse with educational programming directed at preschoolers. Daily shows focus on “music and movement,” “socialization,” or “nature and the environment”:

Jim Henson’s Animal Show With Stinky and Jake: Come outside and play with two new Muppets, a slighlty pompous polar bear and an irrepressible skunk. They host--talk-show style--and introduce wildlife clips with a comic perspective. Mondays and Fridays at 2 p.m. Premieres Oct. 3.

Johnson and Friends: Live-action narrative storytelling and puppetry tackle preschoolers’ most difficult subjects: friendship, sharing, individuality, and family conflict. The stories follow the antics of Johnson, a pink elephant and his toy box friends. Tuesday s and Thursday s at 2 p.m. Premieres Oct. 3.

Rimba’s Island: With characters based on Oaxacan Indian designs, the show uses multicultural music, rhythmic movement, songs and simple stories. Characters introduce kids to traditional preschool concepts such as shapes, colors and the alphabet. There’s a look at more complex issues, too, including self-esteem, cultural diversity and respect for neighbors and the planet. Wednesday s at 2 p.m. Premieres Oct. 3.

THE LEARNING CHANNEL

A new show highlights the cable channel’s “Ready, Set, Learn!” block for preschoolers:

Rory and Me: Concert artist, entertainer and children’s music performer Rory hosts and stars as herself. her co-star is a 6-year-old puppet named Reddy. Weekdays at 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. Premieres Sept. 19 .

NICKELODEON

Two new series will be added to Nick Jr., the cable network’s preschool weekday programming block:

Allegra’s Window: Music-filled half-hour of puppets and live-action characters. Allegra is a 3-year-old puppet who lives a very authentic preschool life. She goes to a day-care center, loves to pretend and finds excitement everywhere. Weekdays at 11 a.m. Premieres Oct. 24.

Gullah Gullah: Half-hour of music, dance and play with husband-and-wife team Ron and Natalie Daise. The show features storytelling rooted in the traditions of the Gullah people of the South Sea Islands of South Carolina. In each show, the Daises take their kids around the island to explore the community and meet its residents. Weekdays at 11:30 a.m. Premieres Oct. 24.

PBS

Kidsongs Television Show: Eleven kids, ages 8 to 12, get to produce and direct their own music television show. Each show features “an informative adult guest.” Weekdays at 9:30 a.m. KPBS ; 11:30 a.m. KCET; 2 :30 p.m. KVCR.

The Magic Schoolbus: Based on Scholastic’s book of the same name. Lily Tomlin gives voice to Ms. Frizzle, teacher extraordinaire, in this animated science-adventure series. She takes the kids on wacky “field trips” into the human body and far out into space in a magically transformable school bus. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on KCET, beginning Sept. 11; Saturdays at 7 a.m. on KOCE, beginning Sept. 17; Saturdays at 7 and 7:30 a.m. on KPBS, beginning Oct. 8.