Monday, March 10, 2008

Children's Shows

The other day, I happened to actually be sitting with the Princess watching Oswald on Noggin (a Nickolodeon Channel for preschoolers). I never really realized how latently sexual it is. The show was about how Oswald found this "Big Yellow Banana" and how he was sharing it with everyone. Then I started looking at the characters:

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  • Weenie the hot dog dog.
  • Oswald the blue Octopus that looks like a "blue ball"
  • Daisy, the Flower (do I need to tell you want a flower represents?)

It was kind of disturbing. I don't let her watch Oswald anymore. What were these people thinking when they came up with this show? Or more to the point, what the heck were they smoking?

I have actually found some new shows that I really like having the Princess watch though. Shows that have encouraged her to realize that putting letters together can make words. Shows like:

  • Super Why (PBS)- A show that teaches kids that they can change fairy tale stories by changing the words in sentences.
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  • Word World (PBS)
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  • Leap Frog Videos - These aren't actual shows but they are awesome DVDs. They've taught the Princess all about the letters and the sounds they make.
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Does anyone have any other ideas on educational shows that encourages reading? It seems like there just aren't enough.

Which reminds me. I hosted a book club meeting at my house and one of the ladies mentioned that when she wakes up in the middle of the night for her baby's feeding, she watches The Cosby Show. Then she brought up the question . . . are there any shows on these days that emulate a good wholesome family like The Cosby Show? We also had Family Ties and Growing Pains. I've been trying to come up with a good show like those that's on today during prime time and I couldn't think of a single one. I don't even think shows like Hannah Montana are up to par. It's kind of sad that our kids only have shows that feature skanky women like Paris Hilton or the High School kids from the O.C. (I know this is off the air now) to watch. It's all so risque. It's no wonder that all these young girls are so scandalous.

6 comments:

Life As I Know It said...

My kids like Word World and Super Y too.
They are pretty much limited to PBS. It's surprising how many "kids" shows are out there that aren't appropriate for kids!

Misty said...

Word World Rocks. We gave up on Cable
"children's" shows long ago. You know how, middle schoolers (and some high schoolers) like to do and say inappropriate things around little kids because it stokes their ego's that they are so "grown up" and stuff? THESE are the mentalities of the people who make Disney and Nick shows. I am certain of it. Pushing the envelope to see what they can get away with... Ugh!

Stacey said...

Ok,is it wrong that I laughed a little. I never thought about Oswald like that. hee hee.

Anonymous said...

I never noticed that about Oswald. But we don't really watch it, either. We watch Max and Ruby, Clifford and Word World.

Butrfly Garden said...

"Run, Sun, Fun...Wonderific you're terrific!" :) We LOVE Super Why. :) And I don't even have preschoolers anymore. haha. (Alyssa is in 1st.)

We almost caved and got cable again, but saved ourselves at the last minute. I love PBS's programming.

Except Max & Ruby - I can't remember what channel they're on. But they drive me nuts. :)

Anonymous said...

Dude, you echo a stereotypical yuppie. How would a pre-schooler associate sharing a 10 foot banana with his friends as sexually latent? Kids at that age are innocent enough not to associate an octopus with a ball, unless the parents are doing a terrible job. Baby boomer.