I, like most people my age, grew up with Sesame Street. It was awesome. I learned things; it was colorful and entertaining; and silly sayings were ingrained in my brain. I can't look at metal trash cans without thinking of Oscar or Chips-Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies without thinking of Cookie Monster (Chips-Ahoy because the packaging is the same color blue . . .).
I really don't think I'd be who I am today without the influence of Jim Henson, Mr. Rodgers, and Alice from Brady Bunch (it was on when Gumbo watched her "stories"). They helped mold and shape my twisted little imagination. Not only did these shows teach me the alphabet, numbers, and spacial concepts (insert Grover running towards the camera saying "Neeaaarrrr") but they also taught me that foods can talk, numbers can have eyes, and that Doodle-bugs do exist. From what little I've seen of newer shows like "Dora the Explorer," it seems like the creative/imagination aspect is left out. Sure the main characters travel all over and hang out with talking animals, but its just not the same.
But then again, I think the toys and activities that are marketed towards kids retard them. Everything "teaches" the kid something no matter how old they are (think "Baby Einstein") but they don't really teach the kid how to creatively solve a problem. What happened to Lincoln Logs, Erector sets, and Legos?! Have they been deemed too dangerous for kids to play with now, even though generations of kids played with them before now?! I grew up with these things and I was always at the top of my class.
But then again, Nintendo and home computers didn't come out until I was 10 (ish). Maybe that's the difference - we had to use our imaginations to entertain ourselves and these kids don't . . .
I really don't think I'd be who I am today without the influence of Jim Henson, Mr. Rodgers, and Alice from Brady Bunch (it was on when Gumbo watched her "stories"). They helped mold and shape my twisted little imagination. Not only did these shows teach me the alphabet, numbers, and spacial concepts (insert Grover running towards the camera saying "Neeaaarrrr") but they also taught me that foods can talk, numbers can have eyes, and that Doodle-bugs do exist. From what little I've seen of newer shows like "Dora the Explorer," it seems like the creative/imagination aspect is left out. Sure the main characters travel all over and hang out with talking animals, but its just not the same.
But then again, I think the toys and activities that are marketed towards kids retard them. Everything "teaches" the kid something no matter how old they are (think "Baby Einstein") but they don't really teach the kid how to creatively solve a problem. What happened to Lincoln Logs, Erector sets, and Legos?! Have they been deemed too dangerous for kids to play with now, even though generations of kids played with them before now?! I grew up with these things and I was always at the top of my class.
But then again, Nintendo and home computers didn't come out until I was 10 (ish). Maybe that's the difference - we had to use our imaginations to entertain ourselves and these kids don't . . .
2 Thoughts:
One of my saddest moments ever with a kid was when we were playing with dolls. I said something like, "Let's pretend we're going to the zoo!" and she said, "No, she only says..." and pulled the string to make the doll talk. The fact that she wouldn't think outside the box made me so sad for kids of today.
Have you ever watched Yo Gabba Gabba? Not as awesome as muppets, but it was kinda like Picture Pages, Pee Wee Herman, Mr. Rogers and a few others all in one. Got kids up and dancing, singing songs and learning things. Cancelled.
My hope is that as long as Tom & Jerry, Pink Panther and Sesame Street reruns are airing, kids today may still have a chance.
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