Kids...Which TV Shows Might Actually Be Good?

When I was growing up, the most stress we had was whether we were going to dig a hole in the backyard, or sit in the tree in the front yard for a while. There was no hurry to run in the house to watch a children's television show because those shows only aired for an hour in the morning, and Saturday was the big cartoon day. Children today are borderline, and mostly obsessed with the vast selection of television characters. They talk like them, wear clothing with a characters face splashed on the front, and have all of the gear. Every little kid seems to be a high talker like Elmo until at least 2nd grade, and frankly, I view some shows that kids watch as unsuitable for their age or maturity level. Children are growing up too fast, and a lot of that is the content of television programs.

Captain Kangaroo, Bozo the Clown, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, were the daytime hits that stirred our interest, and Sesame Street, surprisingly still airing with the same characters, and a few new ones. On weekends, our social senses were further expanded with the dynamics of shows like Fat Albert, Superfriends, Looney Tunes, and the only commercials were Schoolhouse Rock. These were good wholesome shows unlike some of the newer entertainment for children which at times is borderline disgusting with graphic humor regarding bodily functions, and just plain weird characters such as Chowder on Cartoon Network, which is mainly programmed for the older child or even the teen. Cartoon Network is a subject for another article, but honestly, you can find some vintage Looney Tunes or Tom and Jerry if you check your guide.

In the grandiose thoughts of cartoons, who can help but first look to Disney, and their massive conglomeration of television shows that honestly, to me, are strictly for entertainment purposes. An older child may easily get wrapped up in Phineas and Ferb, tweens Zack and Cody, and various other shows that are not suitable for the younger child. Disney has always done best with that age group. As the preschooler views a preview of a show it may look good, but in actuality, the show is either too graphic, or too mature for the little ones. Let's face facts, Bambi was great until his mother got shot. I am all for the reality of death, but that was a scary way to depict it too a young child.

I do agree that Disney does have some educational programming suited for the young child on the Disney Channel, early mornings are best with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Mickey is still counting, and enjoying pretend with all of his pals. I also love the show, Little Einsteins, that teaches fine art, composers, and music, through imaginative ways, with a similar format each segment. I am not bashing Disney completely for their illusions of princess grandeur, a prince coming to awaken me with a kiss, or magical illusions of fantasy. There are a few shows with educational based content for the young child.

When it comes down to what are the best shows for young children to enjoy, I often think of Noggin which is now Nick Jr, a sister network of Nickelodeon. These networks focus on programming for the young child. Children favorites like Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, and Blue's Clues are character based educational shows which teach counting, Spanish language, animal habitats, and much more. Character shows with life lessons, and morals such as Backyardigans; also, the new show Bubble Guppies is also extremely addictive to young children. Nick Jr. airs preschool lessons disguised as commercial breaks with network mascot Moose A. Moose, which are also a favorite with parents as he teaches shapes and colors. They have been exploring music and arts with a new network exclusive band called The Fresh Beat Band which lends a music break with their videos during commercial time as well as a 30 minute show. Their young child programming is 24 hours a day on Nick Jr., and you can also view it on Nickelodeon at certain times of the day, which graduates to programming for the older child or young teen after 6 p.m.

Nickelodeon is also the home of Spongebob Squarepants. An adult will either love him, or hate him. In the grand scheme of the cartoon mania, that irritating little sponge with that laughter that permeates every last nerve can be quite entertaining for kids. When I face facts, even a 9 or 10 year old child who has never watched this show, has learned how to be irritating most like Spongebob. Most parents I have polled do not agree with the character of Patrick the Starfish, and how he is portrayed as a little bit dense, but let us face the facts, in reality, this type of character does exist. I feel that the writers have created a superb friendship lesson with the dynamic between Patrick and Spongebob. Everyone needs a friend through thick and thin. It doesn't matter how weird and crazy you are. Connecting with another is all that matters. I believe there are lessons to be learned regarding friendship, and the dynamics of it, even through Spongebob. What can I say, he grows on you over time.

When we are discussing what characters you may love or hate, another comes to mind, and that is Barney and Friends. That dinosaur has his popularity among younger kids, and has a song for everything. You cannot discuss educational programming without Barney. He is fun, big, and purple. Barney airs on networks where you also will find the classic Sesame Street.

Sprout network, an additional superb educational resource is a network developed for preschool aged children. Sesame Street and Play with Me Sesame are fabulous programming for young children, and I must say, it will take you back to your childhood as some of the segments are actually the same exact ones we viewed long ago. You also will find classic Mister Rogers Neighborhood, some additional shows like the young Caillou, and of course Curious George.

One thing is for sure, whether soothing a colicky baby, or rewarding a young child for good behavior with television time, there will always be something to watch. Cable programming with exclusive networks aimed at children's interests are the normal today. I guess they realized that children are important too. There is no longer a wait for Saturday morning. Saturday is every day when it comes to children's programming. The choices are endless, so let's choose correctly with educational based content rich programming, because as adults we know that the illusion of a prince will never come, but education is a lifetime achievement.

Author: Lisa Troglin
Alexa Media Group, Inc.

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Self Help Books and the Power of Positive Thinking by Lisa Troglin Self help books have steadily become the best selling genre over the last several decades with titles dedicated to the power of positive thinking. Revolutionizing our vocabulary for once ordinary things like The Vortex and The Shift, there is the metamorphasizing of simple acts such as Waking from Sleep into an experience unlike any other that this life as we knew, or it had shown us before. The fact of the matter is, whatever your delima, whatever your issue with another, whatever your issue with yourself, you can find help through one source or another. In today's vast society of over-stressed, over-strange, and over-functioning humans, self help books have been a blessing to many who just want to "feel" better, and they do just that. Following a mantra of positive thinking can bring you where you need, or think you need to be. Truth be told, I am always seeking to redefine my thinking, to better myself, and to quizzically look toward another who's life may actually be, or have been worse than my own, and see that there is hope out there. Is that not what we all need to survive with the issues of today? For decades, books such as The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, have been the "go to" books when persons were looking to build fortunes in their lifetimes. The teachings of positive thinking have been around through even the better times of our economy. As the age of technology has afforded us an overload of information, worries, and stresses with the immediate reports of negative happenings throughout our world, the self help and positive thinking media has blossomed into a massive market of anyone's opinion. Basically, each new insight is only a revolution of the first principles that have been instilled in mankind since the beginning of time. The basic inherit belief that there is a supreme being, a God, a spirit, whether it be in the heart's of man or actually be instilled in the soul of man from conception, there is, in every human, a hope, a faith, a sense that if we just do, or be, it will all be ok. Every person is looking for that guidance in every area of their life, whether it be through a mentor, an author, or even an acquaintance, that thirst for enlightenment, and the curiosity of a "better way" keeps us ever searching. The illusion of religious experience has guided many. The following of guru's and teachings of preacher's have kept many on a solid footing of their innermost being for centuries. In the science of man, we ARE looking for a leader, for guidance, a mentor, and a HOPE for something more than what today is. I ran across a title of a book called, The Positive Power of Jesus Christ by Norman Vincent Peale which affirmed my belief that the inherit belief that there is more to life than just "life" as we know it. Positive thinking and self help are just another form of belief for those who are not into organized religion. The power of positive thinking, and the belief of a God or supreme being to worship, to mentor, to look to for guidance, go hand in hand. Whether you believe that we are but a speck in a galaxy of millions, or that we were deliberately created for the needs of companionship and gratification for a much higher being, The teachings have one common theme. Be grateful for what you have, be good to the world and those around you, and good will come to you. The method you use to achieve this, is entirely up to you, and I insist that even with the repetitive insights of self-help books, if they help but only one person achieve the life that they desire, they are all worth their weight in society.

Our favorite by Ben Stein is  The Eyes of Faith it is a great read with thoughts for every day, and the worst days of your life.

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