Parents' Guide to

Young Sheldon

TV CBS Comedy 2017
Young Sheldon Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Joyce Slaton By Joyce Slaton , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

So-so sitcom has insults/language but sweet family support.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 11+

Based on 61 parent reviews

age 13+

Contains swear words

This TV show contains swear words. If you see a child under 12 watching this, I recommend you make them watch something more kid friendly.

age 6+

No idea why it is a 15

Me and my daughter are autistic and she relates to Sheldon which is lovely as so many programs have no representation

What's the Story?

Being 9 years old isn't easy, and YOUNG SHELDON Cooper (Iain Armitage) hasn't made it any easier by being 1) startlingly brilliant, 2) socially clueless, and 3) born to a humble sports-obsessed family in East Texas. In a town where Sunday church is mandatory and football is more mania than hobby, a kid who spends his mornings proving physics laws to himself with a Lionel train set is not destined to be voted Most Popular in the yearbook. But at least he has the staunch support of his mom, Mary (Zoe Perry), and the somewhat more grudging support of his football coach Dad (Lance Barber), his football-nut brother George, Jr. (Montana Jordan), and his acerbic twin sister, Missy (Raegan Revord). Sheldon will someday to grow up to be one of the heroes on The Big Bang Theory (which explains Jim Parsons showing up to do narration), but right now, he's just hoping to get through high school.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (61 ):
Kids say (155 ):

If a spirited sitcom about geeky characters is your family's show of choice, you'll want to at least peek at this one. Young Sheldon shares a similar vibe and tone with creator Chuck Lorre's The Big Bang Theory, and it doubles down on Sheldon's evergreen confidence and courage against people who bully and doubt him. That said, the show's problematic characterizations of people of color fall flat. And a romantic arc that involves a wide age gap might concern some viewers.

There are also a lot of predictable jokes -- not all bad -- and predictable plot twists, but surprisingly secure and quirky Sheldon does have his charms, and the show does, too. Chief amongst them is the sweet relationship between Sheldon and his mom. When Sheldon volunteers to go to church with his mother even though, as his sister says, he doesn't believe in God, he pipes up, "But I believe in Mom." And she believes in him. This mutual support only strengthens as Sheldon grows up -- and that's a lot of fun to watch, even if Young Sheldon breaks no new ground.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why "fish out of water" plots are common in sitcoms like Young Sheldon. What's funny about putting someone in a place they don't fit in? What dramatic possibilities does it offer?

  • How does Young Sheldon depict immigrants and other characters of color? Did you notice any stereotypes? Why are they harmful?

  • How does Sheldon show courage by attending school with much older kids? Why is this an important character strength?

  • This comedy is produced by Chuck Lorre, a creator known for producing a particular style of comedy. Have you watched any of his other shows? Can you see similarities between this show and these other shows?

TV Details

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