Television post, part deux

Ok, so my last post (really long ago, sorry about that) talked about how the G-man doesn't have the patience for or interest in television. That still hasn't changed, but I'm also still working on it. I often cruise the kiddie channels while he's asleep to see what types of shows are on and what he might like to watch. If I find something, I watch/DVR it to see what happens. So far, we've struck out on forming a bond with most of the shows, but I have been able to form some opinions of my own. Following is my version of "At the Remote."

For starters, I should tell you my criteria. Probably different from G-man's, but that's what makes me the mommy. A lot of my own criticism is based on some recent research about how TV can harm our children. Turns out, the content is one of the least of our worries. Sure, many parents will tell you that Diego taught their kid to count in Spanish, Winnie the Pooh has turned selfish into sharing or how without World Word, little snowflake wouldn't know her ABCs. I get it, there are some real learning opportunities on TV. (I also get that with a little interaction and imagination, you can teach them these things, too.)

So what's the big deal? It's what is going on behind the scenes. No, not commercials, but rather what's going on inside your child's mind. The first few years of life are a time of explosive brain growth and unparalleled brain mapping. Your baby's brain is forming its connections and it's using all of the data input around it to do so. It needs a 3D context to put everything together correctly. How is data being stored without the context of smell, temperature, location? As adults, we understand pretend and we understand how to make the leap between a palm tree on TV and the concept of the beach. The G-man doesn't yet but his brain is trying to find a connection and categorize it.

The production of the show plays heavily into whether or not it's appropriate. I don't care what the story is about or if a famous person is today's guest star if the format does more harm than good. If TV is on at all for little ones, we should be exposing them to slow transitions, not rapid fire scene changes or abrupt switches. This helps them see how we get from one stage to the next. Studies show children respond better to shows with a lot of repetition and singing to foster memory. Plus, they should see more "real" children (not puppets or cartoons or even adults). Sadly, many of the most popular preschooler shows do not meet these criteria.

With that in mind, here finally, are my reviews:

Yo Gabba Gabba

Ok, I love it. It's like crack, and I think the writers are high on it for every episode. But is it appropriate? Um, not really. Mainly because of the quick movement and psychedelic shifts. I like that it uses a lot of songs, although it can be kind of hard to understand the words through the characters' voices. I would be fine with the G-man watching this as he gets older. Kids shows don't have to be syrupy or beige and Yo Gabba Gabba gets it.

Oswald

Yep, I love this one, too! That octopus is too damn cute and I adore his world and friends. The story lines are lovable and creative and I feel good watching it. In fact, I watched it before G-man was born. It moves slowly and seems like something that won't rot his brain. If only he would watch it.

Chuggington

This gets a thumbs down from both of us. G-man used to like it, for the first 4 days it was on. Then he thankfully came to his senses and cries if it's on. I was originally on-board with the idea. A train show that wasn't Thomas the Tank Engine! Thank god. But the first time I watched it I realized it was too much for us. Tons of movement and cutaways just in the opening song. Then the voices that always seem to be shouting make you want to pierce your eardrums. It's too overdone and seems made for marketing. And in the end, the stories suck, too.

Dinosaur Train

I have hopes for this when G-man is older. It's not right for him at the moment - a little too advanced in concept and environmental situations (how can his brain relate to a jurassic volcano?), lots of teeth that scare him - but for a cartoon, it's informative. No songs but I noticed G-man really liked the end of each episode where they show a real paleontologist with kids. He definitely prefers live action, as he should.

The Wiggles

Shoot me. Shoot me now. While G-man may briefly go into a trance when it comes on, he snaps out of it and we can all go back to our lives. For the criteria, it does meet some of them - some slower scenes with more camera pans than cuts, real people (albeit adults), tons of songs with repetitive phrases. But on a purely emotional level, I hate it.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Last and certainly least, who thinks this is a good show?! Possibly one of the worst I've seen. The characters are brats, the story lines have no beginning/middle/end, no real lessons taught to the kids or learned by the trains. The books are just as bad. I can't believe they even get published. Many lack consistency or simply make zero sense! As for watching it, it's a snooze-fest that still relies on back-and-forth scene changes. Oddly enough, G-man will NOT watch this and can barely tolerate the books, but he does love the actual trains we have. Score one for commercialism.