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Green Series: Children's TV Going Green (part 2)

Editor’s note: This is the third of a weekly guest spot by children’s media consultant Ashley. Ashley is a television and online producer and Executive Editor of Children’s Media Consultant.com. She holds a B.A. from Columbia University and a M.A. concentrating in children’s educational media and preschool ecology from New York University. She resides with her family in downtown New York City. You can visit her blog at childrensmediaconsultant.com.

Little did I realize that when I wrote “Why Isn’t Kid’s TV More Eco-Friendly?” (which I have been researching for the better part the last three years) that it would circulate around the web with such positive feedback. Although I’ve served as a children’s television consultant for multiple programs to determine how to effectively incorporate ecology content into their preschool curricula, this is the first time I’ve been able to initiate a dialog online about the content that’s already out there (or lack thereof).

How do the media professionals and parents weigh in?

What the Children’s Media Experts Say

Why is there so little ecology content on children’s television?

Ty’s Toy Box Mommy writes, shows that teach literacy or math skills are celebrated because these topics are standardized curricular foci. They’re uncontroversial topics that (almost) everyone can agree are necessary in the education of our children. But when a show moves into the realm of teaching that the planet is in jeopardy, somewhat more of a controversial topic, we jump into a political debate.

While many of us know what we do effects the ground we walk on, others are still skeptical of the science behind the argument, and some believe the planet is not in danger because of the burning of our fossil fuels (or filling up landfills, polluting our natural resources, cutting down forests, etc.).

Ty’s Toy Box Mommy makes a great point here. As long as global warming remains a debatable, politically-infused topic, perhaps it’s a riskier subject for children’s television — especially a kid’s TV show that requires public funding, or a more conservative corporate/network backing.

To counter, though: What if we’re not focused on issue-centric topics, like global warming, species extinction, etc., but more on the basics of appreciating the natural world?

My research indicates this is a more successful approach anyway, when it comes to preschool-level ecology. Besides, who could argue (even with the politicos) that spending time outdoors is bad for you?

On a side note, many thanks to Shaping Youth for inviting me to be a content partner, and for the very nice introduction of our first content swap on this very same topic. We can all look forward to hearing her expertise on advertising directed at children, eloquent prose, and opinions on this website, and more collaboration of our work in the future!

For more reviews and commentary on children’s television and other media, visit Children’s Media Consultant Online.

Also, Kelli’s post on eco websites for children has been featured as a guest commentary on Children’s Media Consultant.

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Comments

  1. Educational Toy And Game says

    November 23, 2007 at 3:48 am

    How many times have I thought about this (Green Series: Children’s TV Going Green (part 2))? This is a great article and I appreciate the thought you put into it. Thanks!!

    Reply
  2. Kids Games says

    November 28, 2007 at 3:29 am

    Science and Ecology are becoming more important in our schools in the UK though I find that the country schools seem to be at an advantage in that they are located in the middle of it. They therfore, spend more time in using it within their curriculum and the children grow up with an eco aware knowledge with first hand experience. We need more if this in the city schools. Great article.

    Reply
  3. Alden The Going Green Guy says

    December 1, 2007 at 3:18 pm

    The only way we can teach our children to be ecologically responsible is to teach them about going green. Perhaps if TV spent a little less time trying to shove PopTarts down their throats, we could accomplish this. Thanks for an informative post.

    Alden Smith

    Reply
  4. Shaping Youth says

    July 10, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    Wanted to add, now that I’ll be writing for EcoChild’s Play too, that I just posted an eco-kids links list on Shaping Youth about the new NCLI (No Child Left Inside) legislation…and our related articles on all things green. Enjoy! Here’s the direct link on EcoLiteracy in schools: http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=1878

    Highly encourage any/all interested in greening the classrooms to check out their concept of incorporating eco-messaging into kids’ curriculum (media literacy should be next!)
    See you on ECP soon!–Amy

    Reply
  5. Charles Parker says

    July 25, 2008 at 6:50 am

    Hi,
    We just finished filming the pilot and DVD for Toy Rescue with Skip & Molly, a preschool TV show that introduces the basic concepts of re-use and recycling. The program is a wholesome combination of puppets and storybook animation. Our pilot will be done in August and the DVD will release in December.

    We also have Kids Recycle TV (ages 4-7) just coming out of development and will start filming early 2009. KRTV is more of a variety show format with live action, puppets & animation where we explore how all of the man-made changes to the planet affect us, and what we might do to correct them.

    I will send you a review copy once we finish editing Toy Rescue with Skip & Molly.

    Oh, one last thing…all (95%) of our sets, props, and puppets are made from reused/recycled materials. I think we are the first to make a television show out of garbage!

    Sincerely,
    Charles Parker
    Creator & Producer
    Toy Rescue with Skip & Molly
    Kids Recycle TV

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Patrick says:
    December 27, 2007 at 11:30 am

    Patrick…

    I just wanted to write to say that you have a great site and a wonderful resource for all to share….

    Reply

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About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

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