TFT-Noggin

Alright folks, I'm stepping up on my soapbox here because this topic bugs the crap out of me. Some you mommies may be familiar with Noggin, it's a Nick Jr channel for preschool aged children. I'll be the first to admit that my kids are allowed to watch the shows on this channel. They have purpose, for the most part. The channel has even gone as far as to list objectives before each program is played. For example, The Backyardigans teaches music appreciation and inter and intrapersonal skills. Dora teaches spanish, Blues Clues teaches problem solving, and of course The Wonder Pets teaches teamwork (duh).

All that is great, really it is. Except the fact that their slogan, or catch phrase if you will is: "Noggin, it's like preschool on TV". Seriously people, let's just call it what it is: cartoons. I refuse to believe that any parent out there is dumb enough to really consider that watching a bit of TV (or a lot) is enough for a child to get the experience that preschool, and I mean real preschool, has to offer. Maybe having that slogan slapped in our faces is meant to help us feel better about letting our kids watch TV. But really Noggin, do you think you are fooling us? If anything, you are doing us a disservice. You are helping us to create introverted, fat children by making us think it's ok to let them sit in front of a TV all day with a glazed look in their eyes. It does not teach essential skills such as socialization, or how to hold a scissors, or how to listen to your teacher. It does not teach our children how to follow directions and sit in a circle. The skills learned in preschool are far from the actual education taking place. That's a bonus if you ask me. I want my kids to go to school and learn to respect their teachers and their peers. They should learn how to make friends with all sorts of kids and to play nicely on the playground. I hope they learn the days of the week and how to write their name of course.

Ok, now don't get me wrong. I'm not about to boycott Noggin. I am thankful for Noggin. Seriously, I am so grateful that my kids have something somewhat educational to watch while I'm cleaning, or making dinner, or just about to have a mental breakdown from all the screaming (mine and theirs). I'm just a little peeved that they actually think they can pass off a few cartoons as an alternative to preschool. I'm sure that's not their intention, you know to replace an actual institution, with real people and real objectives. However, their slogan tells us otherwise and I'm sure is fooling some of the naive people out there.

For now, I'll continue to tune in. But a note to Noggin: my kids will be far more educated than what you have to offer on TV. They will play with their friends (interpersonal), run around like crazies(exercise), do puzzles(problem solving), build a fort with dad(teamwork). All of these things have far more value than watching TV. Thank you very much! Any thoughts?

Comments

[amy]

We don't get noggin, but I agree with you wholeheartedly!

[Robyn]

I agree with the Preschool thing, but I think there are somethings gained in certain shows. I loved Sesame street as a kid and I do think it taught me things. I like Blue's Clues too. Mags seems to too. Will it prepare her for preschool, probably not, could she learn a sign or two, some problem solving, maybe. I like Noggin because there are no commercials. Just Moose A Moose and Zee. I have been making it a point to take her to the park as much as the weather has been allowing so she isn't in the TV rut.

[Kristi S]

I have never sen it, but you make many excellent points. TV cannot ever replace an authentic education.

[jessica]

good post! i don't have a ton of value to add, but here is my two cents...

i've never seen noggin and we don't get nick (we get channels 4, 5, sometimes 9, and 11 and 45). i'm not anti-tv or cartoons for kids, but we don't have a tv in a common area where the kids can just sit down and watch it. our only working tv is in a corner in our bedroom, and we very seldom use it, once in a while we will put the kids to bed and watch a movie.

anyhow, back to the tv thing. i totally agree you can't get intrapersonal skills or motor skills from watching a show, for sure! i do remember learning little "lessons" from our cartoons, like the smurfs teaching cooperation, etc. :) even our sit-coms taught lessons. there isn't any more of that for sure.

when my son was small he refused to sit and watch ANYTHING but thomas the train. for my daughter, we have a few baby einstein's that i put on my other computer when i'm trying to get a minute on the computer...

sorry i'm all over the place here. good thoughts, michelle. happy thursday!

[Mary]

We are noggin addicts in my house. I laugh every time I hear the preschool thing!