‘National Geographic’ explores the ties that bind the animal world

Who says the mother-child bond is limited to humans? In honor of Mother’s Day, National Geographic Explorer airs a segment called “Baby Animals,” a short (five minutes) but sweet look at the ties that bind creatures large--like elephants--and small--like mice.

On the same episode: footage from the second annual National Geography Bee, moderated by Alex Trebek of “Jeopardy,” in which students from all over the country prove they know where they’re at--literally.

“National Geographic Explorer,” today 6-8 p.m.; Monday 9:45-11:45 p.m. and Saturday 7:05-9:05 a.m., TBS. For all ages.

MORE KIDS’ SHOWS

A cast of puppets tell the tale of The Moonstone Gem (today 3-4 p.m. Nickelodeon), about a magic stone that grants the wish of anyone who holds it--and gets stolen by an evil baron. For 2- to 11-year-olds.

The rebroadcast documentary My Best Friend’s a Computer (today 5:30-6 p.m. KCET) explores how computers and electronic games affect kids’ emotional and psychological development. For parents.

Based on a true story, Home Sweet Homeless (Monday 5-5:45 p.m. HBO) shows how an average family had a run of bad luck that left them on the streets. For ages 10 and up.

Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman star in the new made-for-TV movie Robin Hood (Monday 7:30-10 p.m. KTTV, 8-10:30 p.m. XETV), based on the legend about the Sherwood Forest folk hero. For ages 8 and up.

Premiering during the new Showtime FamilyHour, a block of programming scheduled every Tuesday, 7-8 p.m., “The Angel and the Soldier Boy” (7-7:30 p.m.) is an animated fairy tale about a little girl’s four birthday gifts that magically come to life while she sleeps. For 2- to 11-year-olds.

In the 1987 fantasy film Harry and the Hendersons (Tuesday 8-10 p.m. KTLA), a family adopts a friendly Bigfoot-type creature. For 6- to 13-year-olds.

The concluding episode of PBS’ series New Explorers (Tuesday 7:30-8 p.m. KCET) profiles “baby doctor” Marlita Reynolds, a surgeon at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She helps save the lives of premature babies. For parents.

A.M. Los Angeles’ “All Southern California Show” (Wednesday 9-10 a.m. KABC) includes a segment on “Great Things to do With Kids.” For parents.

In the 1985 movie Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird (Thursday 6-7:30 p.m. the Disney Channel), Big Bird leaves Sesame Street to go live with a family of Dodos, but soon realizes his mistake. For 2- to 9-year-olds. The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (7:30-8:30 p.m.) follows. For all ages.

You don’t need a spoonful of sugar to help Mary Poppins (Friday 7-10 p.m. KTLA) go down. The classic 1964 musical fantasy from Disney combines live-action and animation to tell the tale of the Practically Perfect English nanny. For all ages.

In “Rebel Slave” (Saturday 6-6:30 a.m. KNBC), a Young People’s Special, a young slave boy fights for freedom during the Civil War. For 6- to 12-year-olds.