Blue's Clue About Television With Dora

A Blue's Clue about Television with Dora

In today's society, children are exposed to forms of media that never existed in past generations. They have the world at their fingertips through the Internet and computer based programs. The most prevalent of media influences is television. Through the years, television has been on the receiving end of negative criticism. There have been thoughts like "It will turn you into a vegetable? or "It will make your eyes go bad? or even the thought of "TV gives off radiation that can cause cancer? These are just a few examples of how television has gotten its bad reputation. Despite all these negative thoughts, television has risen above them to become a huge part of people's lives all over America. What's more is that some people have come to believe that television has an unconstructive nature for children's lives. It's important for mothers to be aware of the positive impact that television provides for their children.

The media of television, with its children's programming, is preparing our children to participate in school and be more attentive. "Television is being used as an attractive and seductive medium to get children to like school with shows such as Sesame Street?says Shirley Biagi, author of Media Impact. (160) Television lures children with stimulating, colorful, and creative images, keeping their attention span active. Young children like moving pictures such as videos over still pictures found in books, as it's more entertaining. Children also seem to understand concepts better through entertainment in ways like story telling with creative images and sound effects, making television a wise choice for education.

With television taking over more and more as the educator, learning styles are changing. Biagi describes that by watching television, the children are playing the role of the "viewer?and expected to do nothing more- this is leading American culture into a process of converting the learning style from a word-centered to an image-centered society. (161) Television is more and more becoming a curriculum as it influences the young minds of children into believing that education is entertainment with shows such as Dora The Explorer and Blue's Clues.

Now-a-days, children's programming is becoming more and more interactive, allowing children to have a voice. It asks kids for their opinion and help. That doesn't usually happen with preschoolers. Preschoolers are America's least powerful citizens. Children aren't tall enough to reach a light switch and they have trouble tying their shoelaces. Children are faced every day with obstacles and that can get pretty discouraging. Problem solving strategies like stopping to think, asking for help, and using what they already know are modeled every day in shows like Blue's Clues and Dora The Explorer. Kids seem to love interactive shows. There is something to be said about talking directly to the audience through the television screen. Angela Santomero, co-creator of the show Blue's Clues states, "I wanted to create something like a game show for preschoolers. Something where they could learn through play.? In each episode of Blue's Clues, children have to find 3 clues to solve a riddle. The children use their imaginations by having to put clues together and guess what the dog Blue wants to do that day. In the show Dora the Explorer, children have to help find objects to help Dora get through her journey to where she and her dog are planning on going to that day. Chris Gifford, co-creator of the show Dora the Explorer states, "Dora teaches children basic Spanish words and phrases, along with math and music skills and physical coordination. Children also learn how to observe situations and learn to solve problems.? Both shows, Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer, gets children to become active participants. Not just by answering questions given to them, but by having the children move their bodies. They will be singing, clapping, jumping, and dancing when watching these shows.

Children's programming is preparing children for what is to come later on when they begin school. For example, with both Dora the Explorer and Blue's Clues, at some point in the shows, they have the children write things down on paper. This is a brilliant educational message for the reason being that children will need to write things down as they enter school life and as adults. Blue's Clues take on subject matters that are beyond traditional preschool studies. The show addresses anatomy, geography, and even some physics. Dora the Explorer is based on the "Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences? In each episode Dora incorporates seven different