More Thoughts on TV

Here are some more thoughts on children and television, via a Washington Post opinion piece by Lisa Guernsey.

But a flurry of new research says we have more to learn. The problem: We're assuming that our children can make sense of what they watch, no matter how old they are. We're forgetting that huge cognitive leaps occur between the ages of 1 and 7.

Researchers, it turns out, doubt that a 1-year-old can even make sense of the sequence of information on the screen, let alone pick up the wholesome messages in "Sesame Street." There's almost no evidence that children under 5 are picking up on the moral lessons in "VeggieTales," not to mention the supposedly character-building themes of many Disney movies. And the children's shows on PBS may be more educational, but that doesn't mean that they're always getting through to young children.

Read the entire article here. Guernsey also talks about what's good for kids to watch.

If you're turning off the set this week and/or looking for a good picture-book read-aloud, check out The Three Cabritos, by Eric A. Kimmel. The Tex-Mex retelling of the Three Billy Goats Gruff stars a maniacally dancing chupacabra instead of a troll. Lots of fun.

Comments

[TadMack]

After reading your Sealy story, I recalled my niece begging her mother to 'Safeguard the ones you love,' and then we *knew* she'd been watching too much TV. Here in the UK, I have no problem with not watching for weeks at a time, but it wasn't always so easy, and it won't be when I get home. Good luck to you and Junior!

[Anamaria]

We liked Kimmel's Three Cabritos, too (who can resist a picture book starring a chupacabra? not I). I couldn't help wondering if there was some sort of bridge/border-crossing subtext I was missing, though. Do you think?

[Susan T.]

TadMack, the first day went fine, so we're off to a good start. I was surprised that Jr. had bought into the mattress ad so thoroughly.

Anamaria, there probably is some sort of subtext there; I'll have to ponder it. I kept wondering about the secret power of the Cabritos to make the chupacabra dance. It alters the story, but I can't quite put my finger on how. Hmm, musing about fairy tales--just what I like!