What are some worries we might have about our children?
Think for a moment. What comes to mind?
Many may easily be noted. However, concerns over television, and especially too much television, are becoming almost timeless.
While it is definitely important to support our children in managing TV watching and TV time, and while there is no question that it is important for them to engage in a much broader range of activities, research and observation are showing me more and more the benefits that television can offer.
I remember from my own childhood the likes of CBBC Newsround, which encouraged us to become more interested in and knowledgeable about the real world. I also remember Art Attack, which inspired creativity. These are not to mention the numerous series with ongoing plots that can ignite imagination and storytelling.
What is especially notable, however, is the role many children’s TV shows may play in supporting social development, particularly in learning to play and work well with others. Often, children are able to see characters they grow to love, growing up just as they are, experiencing similar situations, and learning the same lessons. There is a reason why we often use stories, whether in books or animations, to teach children valuable lessons. While these cannot fully replace real-life experiences and interactions, they can certainly be supportive.
Recently, I was considering new songs to use with my kindergarten class of 5–6-year-olds. Contemplating, an old favourite came up almost naturally in my YouTube recommendations — the Arthur theme song, from the well-known children’s TV show.
Above, I mention learning to work and play well with others. This is highlighted directly in the song — “if we could learn to work and play”. It, and every other line, is pure gold. Watch the video on YouTube yourself here and reflect on each line. Each could serve as a teaching point in its own right, for social skills and even, beyond that, for language development. The song as a whole serves as a useful reminder of so many important ideas. It is something I will go ahead and use.
What should we take away, then? I recommend this song, of course. More deeply, remember that TV shows can play a beautiful role in education. When guided appropriately and used effectively, students can gain much from them. We can reflect on how they can be used at home or even at school. From getting to know the characters to witnessing the storylines unfold, there is something valuable to gain. And it can start even with the theme song