Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
February 20, 2008 Issue #2b
Christine L. Pollock, Editor Ranny Levy, Publisher
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Christine L. Pollock, Editor |
Ranny Levy, Publisher Granny Ranny's Addenda |
Plugged In Parents/Educators
Great Shows for You to Check Out at Home and in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
NI HAO KAI-LAN.
What is it like living in a bicultural Chinese-American household? You and your children can find out in Ni Hao, Kai-lan, Nick Jr.'s first play-along, think-along series to feature an intergenerational family. The series is based on creator Karen Chau's memories of growing up in a bicultural and is steeped in her personal experiences from living in a bicultural Chinese-American household. Kai-lan Chau is an exuberant Chinese-American five-year-old who invites viewers to come play with her and her best friends.
Along the way, the show incorporates other concepts important in preschool programming such as taking turns, disappointment and jealousy. And, it supports an emotional intelligence curriculum highlighting cause and effect thinking in the social/emotional world. The show provides simple coping strategies, often set to catchy simple songs.
Kai-lan's world is brimming with magical sights and sounds that are colorfully and simply executed. The animation is based on Ms. Chau's drawings, which are engaging but simple. The characters are also quite charming.
Interest in learning the Mandarin Chinese language is increasing dramatically in the US where an estimated 50,000 American children are being taught Mandarin in public schools, with an additional 50,000 studying in private settings. At the same time, some 300 million Chinese are learning English - a sign of China's increasing impact on our global culture. This series, and others like it provide a growing desire for US citizens to learn this somewhat complicated language.
THE MR. MEN SHOW.
Remember these delightful books? Join your kids in laugh-out-loud fun as you watch Mr. Grumpy and Little Miss Calamity and their friends cope with experiences typical in a child’s daily life, whether it be a birthday party or a trip to an amusement park. Now you can see “The Mr. Men Show,” in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival or on TV. Based on Roger Hargeaves' best-selling “Mr. Men and Little Miss” books, the series features twenty-five classic characters whose distinct dispositions produce hilarious interactions. Each eleven minute episode is chockfull of verbal wit, physical comedy, silly sketches, memorable music videos, colorful locations and at least one catastrophe befalling Mr. Bump. The flash-animation with bright colors, along with strong characterization enhance the viewing experience. Kid Juror Comments: “It’s really funny. Some rude behaviors so little kids probably shouldn’t watch it a lot.”
Entertainment Insider News
Kids and Media in the Digital Age
"Do you know which store you went to and in what town you were in?" I asked my son who had gotten a cool shirt while out with his friend.
"Uh, no. His mom drove, and we were listening on the iPod."
Welcome to the digital age.
Kids spend 45 hours a week interacting with media and an average of 17 hours per week with their parents. According to Sholly Fisch, former Vice President for Program Research at Sesame Workshop and Founder and President of MediaKidz Research & Consulting, children today are faced with constant change and the increasing need for comfort with ambiguity, but they are still kids who need to be encouraged, loved and cared for. An ever-increasing challenge in our media-infiltrated society.
With the average age of onset of digital media use as 6.7, parents today are facing challenges in nurturing their children that have never existed before. How does one deal with that? The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop has compiled an analysis of children’s interactive media environment with a focus on mass marketed products that promote learning entitled “D is for Digital.” Concerned parents and media producers and experts will find the information helpful as we all face the challenge of bringing the best media to our children.
Blogs: Up-to-Date News from our President and VP
Granny
Ranny's Addenda
Pat the Bunny Comes to DVD March 4
You loved the book when your kids were growing up and now, Genius Products and Classic Media are releasing the DVD of "Pat the. ...
- Read It!
Ann's Marketing Memes
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! and the National Gardening Association
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! and the National Gardening Association announce new grant program for preschools. Wuzzleburg Preschool Garden Awards...
- Read
It!
ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST!
The Coalition for Quality Children's Media is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1991 whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children's media. More.
