Children's TV Shows - A Father's Account

I’ve written previously about kids’ TV, of course. About how it’s a great distraction for my little girl when we need her to settle down, about how it can numb my mind to watch a show for more than five minutes, and about how it can be the most grating thing to watch an episode on repeat. Watching several programs, I felt as though I could delve much deeper into this subject, so came up with a list of her most watched, for which I have given my verdict.

There are many that I could look at in this piece, and I’m sure any parent that reads this will question why I have not included certain shows. PAW Patrol, Dora the Explorer, Doc McStuffins, Vampirinha and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse are some-such that come to mind, but my daughter simply hasn’t watched enough of these for me to form any kind of opinion; and there are, of course, good points and bad points to them all. Here are five that stick in the mind:

Something Special

I really like the concept of this show. It allows children with additional needs the opportunity to feel special for a day; taking their interests and allowing them to live their dream. Not only this, but viewers of all ages and abilities are given the chance to learn; through various songs, different characters, and through the use of sign language that helps them to develop a valuable skill. She doesn’t watch this all that much anymore, but I always thought that this program was valuable for my child to watch for the above reasons, just not when I was with her!

Ok, I jest, but I’d generally find myself cringing four or five times per viewing. His voice is a little cringeworthy and the characters are over-the-top silly (as can be expected with clowns); he always seems like that uncle who tries a little too hard with your kids. He’s obviously a successful children’s entertainer but, more than some and less than others, I just can’t stomach Something Special for too long.

Teletubbies

Talking about not being able to watch a TV show for too long; in step the Teletubbies. Teletubbies just seems pointless. I get why kids would like it, it’s colourful, they make silly sounds and they do stupid things; I’m sure it makes most children laugh. There just seems to be no structure to it at all, no real storyline to follow, and I don’t see how it really benefits my girls. I suppose there is a learning aspect to it as they show a video of a child doing what they like, but for some reason they show it twice. Not two different recordings, but the same one, twice; why?

Then there is the laughing baby that makes up the sun, again, why? It’s all so confusing. Maybe kids get it, although even my little girl was on and off with her like for the Teletubbies (although she wouldn’t put her cuddly Po doll down for at least a year) – but I feel that it’s something her crazy sister may like that little bit more as she gets older. More than anything I’m dreading one of them asking me to make the toast; you know, the circular one with a face. Being a teenager as my younger cousin was growing up I can say that the Teletubbies had one thing going for it however; it was a lot less annoying than the Tweenies!

Peppa Pig

Speaking of annoying, welcome Peppa Pig! Where Teletubbies was quite obviously aimed at children towards the younger end of the scale, Peppa Pig probably caters to a wider age range. It is less mind-numbing, but it is certainly not without its faults. There is a storyline to it: a series of events that come together to form a believable account. There are recognisable characters: allowing my little girl to recognise different personalities and attitudes; especially as she’s interested in animals. It also gives her an insight into how life works with characters having different job roles (even if it is a little stereotypical): Mr Bull is a builder, Daddy Pig is an engineer, Mummy Pig is a writer, Mr Zebra is a postman and, somewhat unrealistically, Mrs Rabbit has what seems like over 50 jobs (and I don’t think I’m exaggerating).

There’s a lot of learning to be had with Peppa Pig, but it’s just too over the top for me. I’m all for creating a work ethic in people but Mrs Rabbit is a bit too much; she takes on everything from shop assistant to helicopter pilot. I think they need to find a new school building, or to call someone other than Mr Bull; the school roof is forever breaking! George Pig is far too whiney, although his sister is the worst of the lot. Peppa Pig’s attitude is nothing short of a disgrace; she is mean to her brother, she is a spoilt brat (and her parents just allow it), and she generally does as she pleases. What’s most worrying, is that my little girl has, at times, shown a mindset that resembles that of the petulant little pig.

Bing

I’ve always had a soft spot for Bing, and it seems to have been the show to have caught the attention of my littlest girl too. Again, there are storylines, but if you look too much into it, it can also get a bit confusing. I don’t understand what their guardians are to them, i.e., Flop, I’m not sure what he is or what his relationship to Bing is; it’s just strange. That being said, I like Flop’s parenting style more than Peppa’s parents; the way he deals with the issues that Bing and his friends face. Bing is, of course, a little bit of a wet lettuce – although I’d rather that than a little horror like Peppa.

There are a lot less characters, thus fewer personality types, for my children to associate with, while they also find themselves in similar everyday life situations, such as getting their vaccines or watching fireworks. All in all, Bing is pretty much the polar opposite in attitude to Peppa Pig as a personality but it isn't that far away as a program, and I’d hope that my children fall somewhere in between.

Ben & Holly

This is perhaps my favourite. It’s like Peppa Pig without the abhorrent rudeness in its main characters (although the king acts a little spoilt), not least because many of the voice over artists work on both shows. The farfetchedness is still there, but in my opinion the characters are more likeable. It’s about elves and fairies among other things, who live in a magical kingdom within the grass of the human world. I like the story aspect of this more than most, the make-believe of it all (as much as a land where animals talk, i.e., Peppa, can be seen as realistic!).

There is still the chance for the little ones to get to know different characters, but there are less – so we can get to know them a little better. Alongside the plethora of books she reads (more on this in a later piece), it’s helping to build our big girl’s character more than any other, and she’s even started to play her own little practical jokes before screaming “happy elf joke day!” (to our delight). I love it most when she does that, and this is the main reason why I am partial to Ben & Holly.

So there with have it. An over the top, completely pointless and obviously unreasonable account of TV programs I’ve been forced to watch, for which I am obviously not the audience. They are not the only things she watches, as she is also loves animations about her favourite books, probably more so than anything else, but I'll get onto them a later.

By Calum Dewsbury