Educational television for children

Recently David and I were talking about how much we despise Dora the Explorer.  Everyone on this toddler-favorite show talks at a shout level.  It is really a lot for two full-time working parents to bear at the end of a long long day.

And, we wondered, what is the educational value of such a show?

Then David pointed out that when we were growing up the educational value of what we watched was even more suspect.

We learned that it is OK to drop anvils on the heads of others

We learned that we could order jet packs via mail order from Acme

We learned that if we hit our friend on the head with a frying pan, his head would take on the shape of said pan.  But, not to worry. All he had to do was shake his head really fast and it would go back to the right shape again.

Meanwhile, our 2 1/2 year old son is learning Spanish words.  What is the world coming to?

Comments

[magpie]

Yeah, the spanish coming out of my kid is a hoot. Especially since I know almost no spanish, beyond the ads in the subways. I think, it could be worse.

She does, though, watch the bug rabbit as well.

[B. Burke]

I've been trying to figure out why our 3yo has taken to screaming EVERYTHING at the top of his lungs lately. I guess I figured that's what all kids did, little barely-contained bundles of energy they are.

But now that you mention it, most of those kids show are high volume and full of bellowing youngsters. I think it's time to expand the TV vs reality talk to include volume!