Wrap-up & Final Thoughts

My hope in doing this blog was to reach out to other parents who have been made to feel bad by others for letting their pre-school children watch television. I wanted to let them know that there are plenty of very high quality viewing choices out there and that they should not feel guilty because they are not hurting their children or short-changing them in any way.

Normally I am quiet about my son Drew's accomplishments because doing otherwise makes me uncomfortable but I felt that in this case it was important to share just how awesome he has grown up to be. Parents need to know that their children won't be dumber or slower or fatter or less imaginative if they get to watch high quality television in moderation. I highly recommend co-viewing, too. I would rather watch the shows I reviewed more than almost anything else on tv any day.

Okie dokie?

Over and out.....

A Few Dislikes That Were Liked By Others

It only seems fair to also discuss television shows that I personally didn’t like but that other parents seemed to enjoy and find good for their pre-schoolers. The first one that occurs to me is Caillou. For me, the whiny voice of the main character was a dealbreaker but decide for yourself. In addition to being whiny, he also seemed like a brat to me, not the role model I was looking for in a tv show. I laughed when I read Common Sense Media about Caillou:

What parents need to know: Parents need to know that the main character is a sweet, curious child who loves to explore the world. The program sometimes deals with intense emotions such as fear, anger, loneliness, anxiety, and empathy, but they're presented in a straightforward manner that will help kids, not frighten them. The character sometimes exhibits realistic behavior typical of a 4-year-old.

Some of Caillou's reactions to situations are quite realistic: When he breaks a friend's bucket in the sandbox, the friend tells him that she doesn't want to play with him anymore. Caillou sulks, and when his mother asks him what's wrong, he doesn't at first 'fess up to breaking his friend's toy. A narrator explains Caillou's true intentions to viewers: He's embarrassed. Caillou might also make a sour face or protest if asked to do something he doesn't want to do, but the narrator usually explains his motives. Overall, he displays realistic reactions -- which might make Caillou more companion than role model. But he always gets the life lesson -- and viewers will, too.

Back to me: The reviewer may think that watching Caillou pout, sulk and whine is worth it but I sure didn’t. I am not so sure that he got the life lesson either.

Another show that some parents loved but we did not is Thomas the Tank Engine. Don’t get me wrong because we spent a fortune on Thomas trains and stuff and Drew spent many many hours at his train table building and creating and having the time of his life. Plain and simple he was scared of the show. To me it seemed way too intense at times and just kind of creepy. Someone gave him a video of Thomas as a gift and Drew just shook his head. Let’s see what Common Sense Media has to say about Thomas the Tank Engine:

What parents need to know: Parents need to know that this is generally a male-centric series, though a few females do make appearances. Otherwise, the dramatic action told through the voice of a single narrator will be compelling even for the youngest viewers, without overstimulating young children's sensitive field of perception.

The Thomas the Tank Engine stories were conceived by a young British boy early in the 20th century, who would listen to the trains as they chuffed through the countryside. The stories he told his son -- who has consequently passed them on to his own son -- have been documented in books and toy train models. Since the series was introduced to television viewers in the 1980s, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends has seen a healthy fan base sprout worldwide. Parents can be assured that this series has educational aspects as well as behavioral modeling. Some of the expressions on the train's faces can be a tiny bit creepy, but the intention behind the animation is good, as follows the tradition of a well-told story.

Me again: “tiny bit creepy?” Yeah right, how about a whole lot creepy! Try it out if you like but my advice is to stick to the train sets.

Stanley

If your child is an animal lover, then in addition to Zoboomafoo (see Blog Entry #2) you should check out Stanley. Stanley was in production from 2001 until 2005 and explores animals while also dealing with every day problems in each episode. The main characters are Stanley, his pet Goldfish Dennis, and the “Great Big Book of Everything.” The supporting characters are very diverse with Jewish and African–American friends and a Latina teacher. Stanley’s mom is a dentist and a good role model.

Here is a bit of trivia for you. Dennis the goldfish is voiced by Charles Shaughnessy, a British actor well-known in the United States for starring in the television show, The Nanny, and in the NBC soap opera, Days of Our Lives. You will recognize his voice immediately.

I know that Common Sense Media must have great things to say about this show so let’s take a look:

What parents need to know: Parents need to know that it won't take long for this show to win the hearts of kids and parents alike. Stanley is an inquisitive, friendly kid with an insatiable appetite for asking questions about animals. Based on the book series by Andrew Griff, this cartoon is about a kid who sometimes makes mistakes, has challenges with his older brother, and always finds comfort in his pet dog, cat, and fish. In fact, Stanley has conversations with these animals, especially his best friend and confidant, Dennis the goldfish. Each episode involves a "jump" into the Great Big Book of Everything, where Stanley learns firsthand about the animal in question. A sure-bet hit with preschoolers and kindergarten-aged kids, it's about kids, friends, family, and the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Stanley may wear tiger-striped pajamas and talk to his pets, but he still manages to be one of the most relatable characters for kids on TV. He has trouble moving to a larger bed, gets frustrated with friends, and sometimes fights with his brother. He's also adorable, loves his family, and has a diverse set of friends.

Both the animal and human characters in Stanley's life are likable and interesting. Stanley's mother, a dentist, sometimes helps Stanley find the answers to his questions on the Internet and, though clearly a busy mom, she's very playful with her youngest son. Stanley's friends are African-American and Jewish, and his teacher is Latina. At the end of each episode, Stanley and Dennis tuck into their respective beds, talk about the day's adventure, and voice their appreciations for the marvelous creatures around them.

Back to me. I knew that they would love it. I noticed this additional review by a parent on Common Sense Media and thought it was great:

One of the few little kid's shows that I actually enjoy by myself: Oh yeah, you just read that right. I'm an adult and yet when this show was airing, I'd occasionally watch it without needing little kids around as an excuse. (Granted, I never let anyone know I was watching it) This is actually a pretty cool show. The characters are alright, the show teaches kids about animals (Though I do think Zoboomafoo did this a little better) and it's just fun. My favorite part was always that infamous song about the great big book of everything and I always found it hilarious how much the fish hated it. I know I am way too old for this show and yet I enjoy watching it, and with that in mind, I'm sure any child would enjoy it too.

Me again. Your kids will learn some good life lessons from Stanley and also learn about animals, not to the extent of Zoboomafoo, but still very worthwhile.

Rolie Polie Olie

Speaking of McDonald’s, who doesn’t love their french fries? C’mon let’s be honest. Just like they are a guilty pleasure that are ok to have once in awhile, I have another show to share that I suspect is not highly recommended but I may be surprised. I guess we’ll find out together as I research it for this blog.

I love Rolie Polie Olie. It was in production from 1998 until 2006 and Drew, my husband & I would watch it together and laugh. At first, it took a little getting used to because their whole world is very geometric and CGI but the characters are endearing and the family unit is so cohesive that you can’t help but be drawn in. The main characters are Rolie Polie Olie, his sister, Zowie Olie, their mom and dad and grandpappy, their dog Spot and their neighbor’s son, Billy Bevel. The family learns the typical life lessons over the course of an episode.

It’s tough to describe Rolie Polie Olie so let’s see what Wikipedia (*gasp*) says:

The show centers around the Polie Family, who live in teapot-shaped house in a geometric world (Planet Polie) populated by robot-based characters. The stories revolve around the young 6 year old Robot Olie learning life lessons and going on wacky adventures (either real or imaginative) while growing up. These often include his 2 year old younger sister Zowie, his 38 year old inventor father, his 31 year old hard-working mom, his fun-loving 70 year old grandfather Pappy, and his dog named Spot. Although most of the main cast is made up of circular bots, other characters are featured in other shapes, such as Olie's friend Billy Bevel and his family, who are square-shaped bots from "Planet Cubey". The show contains a classic Mickey Mouse flow to it, mixed with a little Star Trek. Nearly every object in this world is alive.

So that is why we loved it so much! It is Mickey Mouse mixed with a little Star Trek. And everything is alive and has a personality. Wow, according to Wikipedia (yes, I know!) the show was Emmy Award-winning. I double checked that on other sites and saw that it was nominated a few times for Best Animated Show but did not see that it won except for Best Production Design. So now this blog can be a lesson in media literacy about Wikipedia, too. Use it to find other references but don’t rely on it!

I am very curious to see what Common Sense Media has to say about it since it seemed fun and cute and very imaginative to me but did not give off the, “We’re teaching you whether you realize it or not,” vibe that other shows give off. Here goes:

What parents need to know: Parents need to know that this imaginative world of robotic friends is colorful and inviting for preschoolers, but may not seem high-tech and flashy enough for older kids and up. Still, it won an Emmy and appeals to many in its target audience.

This is the type of show that parents need to take a breath and watch for a while to appreciate. Yes, the songs will be stuck in your head for the day. But for a very young preschooler, it's funny, not scary, and extremely silly. Okie dokie?

Families can talk about many of the issues Olie's family faces, from how to get along with a brother or a sister to what kind of behavior is appropriate at the dinner table. Families can also talk about how much fun it is to use your imagination. What shapes and colors would make up a world all their own?

Back to me. Well I am tickled to find out that Rolie Polie Olie isn’t as much of a guilty pleasure as I thought it was. Rolie liked to wear a colander on his head during his adventures and Drew followed suit. My child would sue me if I posted a picture of him at two wearing a metal colander on his head so instead I will show you Rolie with the colander hat. All I know is that this show sparked Drew’s imagination and made him want to draw the characters and act out adventures. He made space ships out of boxes and crayons and had great adventures while watching Rolie and Zowie. To me, developing the imagination is as critical as other skills so this mom gives Rolie Polie Olie a thumbs up. Okie dokie?

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Clifford the Big Red Dog is another one of the shows cited positively in the Kaiser Brief:

Viewing of educational programs like Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, Dragontales, Arthur, and Clifford between six and 30 months of age was associated with accelerated language growth,whereas overall television viewing (including adult programs) was associated with reduced vocabulary.

Norman Bridwell started writing the Clifford the Big Red Dog books in 1963 and created Clifford and his person Emily Elizabeth. The animated television show on PBS was introduced in 2000 and ran until 2003. Clifford is about a huge but cuddly and sweet dog and his doggie friends, Cleo and T-bone. Clifford’s person, Emily Elizabeth, is also featured in the show. Each half hour show is divided into two 15-minute segments, one of which often focuses on the dogs while the other usually focuses on Emily Elizabeth and her friends and family.

Let’s look at what Common Sense Media has to say about the show:

What parents need to know: Parents need to know that kids are often magnetically drawn to stories about Clifford because he's the magical pet every child wishes for. The program is chock-full of positive lessons and likable characters -- and may remind parents of their own childhood fascination with Clifford. The series is full of educational messages on social, emotional, and physical matters.

Norman Bridwell's Clifford the Big Red Dog series of books dates back to 1963, so most parents with young children probably remember reading the stories themselves. The reason the intrigue spans generations is quite simple: Everybody who loves dogs wishes they had one like Clifford. He's gigantic, playful, and loving, and he's an unfailing friend to owner Emily Elizabeth. The lessons of each show play out in an uncomplicated, formulaic manner that's easy for young minds to grasp. Sometimes, the lessons are learned by Clifford and his canine pals T-Bone and Cleo. Other times, Emily Elizabeth and her human friends do the growing. Themes have included how to be a good houseguest, why it's important to avoid prejudging others, and taking responsibility for one's actions. As with spin-off series Clifford's Puppy Days, this program's content is based on ten "Big Ideas" that provide the backbone of the show's moral messages. Some of the Big Ideas include helping others, showing respect, playing fair, and sharing -- universal values that kids should be exposed to in the preschool years.

Back to me. My family all loved to watch Clifford for many reasons. Yes, it was predictable but in a comforting way sort of like McDonald’s. You know exactly what you are going to get at Mickey D’s whether you are in Timbucktoo or Gastonia. But Clifford is much better nutrition for the mind than Mickey D’s is for the body. A few years ago, I stayed home sick with a bad cold one day but Drew was at school and my husband came home for lunch and found me watching Clifford. He was slightly bemused since I could watch anything at all that I wanted and finally got to hold the remote control. I told him that at that time of day, Clifford was simply the best thing on the hundred or so channels on television. Watching it makes you feel good because it reinforces simple lessons that we never outgrow.

There are dozens of Clifford books available to strengthen the lessons learned by your toddler from watching Clifford. Watching the show made Drew hungry for the books…what a great result!

Teletubbies

Okay, this next review may be controversial to some but I have a soft spot for the Teletubbies because it comforted Drew at literally the worst time of his (and my) life. When he was thirteen months old, Drew had RSV and pneumonia and the doctors told me that he could literally stop breathing at any moment. He was strapped to multiple boards with IVs and lines running through him yet he was wide awake and distressed. The doctors told us to do whatever it took to try to comfort him. Other than Baby Mozart, Drew had watched almost zero television at that point so we had to rely on whatever VHS tapes were in the little shelf at the hospital. So Teletubbies it was. I was highly skeptical but the colors and the soothing voices and the silliness appealed to him and I am forever fond of Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po.

Some people call it creepy and a televangelist who shall not be named cast all sorts of bigoted aspersions against it but I advise you to decide for yourself. For those of you who are trivia-minded, urban legend credits acerbic former American Idol host Simon Cowell with creating or producing the Teletubbies but actually his company just produced one of their albums, A Teletubbie Christmas.

Let’s take a look at what Common Sense Media has to say about the Teletubbies:

What parents need to know: Parents need to know that this show out of Great Britain is a big hit with toddlers and preschoolers. It's never explained exactly what the Teletubbies are, but they're ultimately cute and benign. But the question comes down to this: How old should children be before they are introduced to television? The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend any TV time for kids under 2; that said, there are no content concerns within this show for the youngest viewers.

Teletubbies, though gentle and mild in tone, might be confusing to the youngest viewers: It appeals to non-order just when kids most require order to organize their formative mind. On the other hand, the show is non-violent, multicultural, and curious. It embraces love and play. It's slow and gentle -- though its emphasis on watching the videos that play on the Tubbies' tummies is a bit redundant.In the end, although Teletubbies is unique and fascinating, it's not necessarily educational or important. You may want to decide whether it serves as a treat -- or a distraction -- before letting your child watch more than twice a week.

Back to me. So as I suspected, it is not educational but it is not harmful either. So there is no need to look for the Teletubbies on television but nor is there any need to beat yourself up if your kids watch it every now and then.

Bob the Builder

Speaking of Bob the Builder, let’s take a look at this import from the United Kingdom. “Can we fix it?” is the catch phrase from this sweet show where the answer is always, “Yes we can!” I do not recommend it as highly as the other shows I have reviewed for reasons I will explain but since I mentioned it in my last post I thought it best to address it. Bob the Builder is fun and harmless and positive but it just isn’t that educational and parents beware: the merchandising for this show is HUGE!!! It does not take too many viewings for kids to become enamored of all the very cool machines and to want to collect them all in as many forms as possible: LEGO, books, battery-operated, non-battery-operated. I warn you in advance if that is not a path that you are willing to take.

Bob the Builder started the year Drew was born and is still being produced in different forms. Here is what Common Sense Media has to say about Bob the Builder:

What parents need to know: Parents need to know that there is nothing objectionable in this show. That said, while the series is primarily about the can-do attitude that Bob and his building crew demonstrate while facing tough assignments, some of the adult details won't interest preschoolers. How much do 3-year-olds want to know about "paperwork" and "raising money"? Not all episodes are abstract in this manner, but enough stress to "get things done" colors the program to make adults feel a little guilty for sitting in front of the tube with their little one.

The most effective aspect of Bob the Builder is the characters' ability to identify a problem, make a plan that aims to solve it, and then delegate the crew to get the job done. On the other hand, this type of organizational structuring would be more suitable for viewers over the age of 5, who have been exposed to the dynamics of a large group and who understand the need for order. The youngest viewers should really learn basics like vocabulary and counting before they're asked to consider the complex problems simplified in this program.

Yes, the animated trucks are fun to watch, and the gracious nature of Bob and his un-stereotypically handy wife are indeed decent role models, but making the assumption that this program should replace the fun of actually playing with actual toy trucks in the actual back yard would be a mistake. So try this: Give the 3-year-old viewers the trucks and sand for building, and observe the situations that they create to see whether they think like adults, or are still children after all.

Me again: It isn’t very educational but it is fun and who can resist Elton John singing Crocodile Rock as a claymation character? That song was on our trip-CD-playlist for over a year. I must also give a shout-out to Wendy, Bob’s friend who is just as handy as he is and that provides a good role model to all the little girls who may want to build and create and renovate, too.