The other day, I created a scorecard of the programs I watch with my daughter. It is based on a 1 to 5 scale, with one (1) showing a hostile disinterest and five (5) indicating destination programming.
I’ll display the Top 5 and the Bottom 5, ranked by the Toddler.
| Kids Programming Scorecard November 12, 2019 | ||
| Program | Momma | Daughter |
| Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood | 5 | 5 |
| Motown Magic | 3.5 | 5 |
| PJ Masks | 1 | 5 |
| Molly of Denali | 5 | 4 |
| Wild Krats | 4 | 4 |
| Kids Programming Scorecard November 12, 2019 | ||
| Program | Momma | Daughter |
| Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum* | n/a | 3 |
| Let’s Go Luna | 3 | 2.75 |
| Word Girl | 2.75 | 2 |
| Martha Speaks | 2 | 2 |
| Splash & Bubbles | 1.75 | 2 |
This list was comprised based upon 20+ programs that I’ve watched with my daughter with a frequency greater than a single viewing. I’ve sorted the list based upon her engagement and tastes. The shows at the bottom of the list might be above her ability to comprehend or digest. She watches, but passively.
Worth noting: Word Girl has the advantage of having a bad-ass theme song, but I wish it lived up to the hype. No one may say “word up” any more, but the delivery of the singer grabs me each time. Alas, she couldn’t care one whit once the theme ends.
The items tagged with a 3 yield a bit more engagement in her viewing, sometimes even singing the theme song. She monitors the characters and asks questions about the episode. In spite of holding her attention, this show does not stand as destination viewing.
Also worthy of noting: The premiere episode of Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum happened yesterday. With about 8 weeks of on-air promos, my daughter was immobilized during the airing and watched it a second time later in the day with as much attention. Since I did not truly engage either viewing, I could not offer a rating.
Shows with 3.5 and 3.75 have a bit more music, action or characters that she finds engaging. She may interact with what she sees on these programs: singing, laughing, shrieking, alerting. These characters and shows are not discussed beyond the viewing time, but tend to be appreciated when they appear.
Personally, I was stunned to see my rating of Sesame Street. Because I grew up with Sesame Street and at one time aspired to be a member of this team, the 30-minute version of the program now airing on PBS is a pale comparison of the 60-minute version from my childhood. Perhaps the content showing on first-run HBO has more heft, but with this being the 50th Anniversary of the show, it was a bit heartbreaking to see me award such a low score.
The upper tier of her scorecard is sort of interesting. These are programs that she will watch with little distraction. The 4s are great also-run programs where she regularly laughs or sings along. The 5s are destination programs that she specifically requests — repeatedly.
Forty percent of the scorecard is comprised of this top group. Some common factors of this group, there is gender equity with the characters. Music tends to be essential to the narrative or an educational bumper. Beyond those aspects, these programs have very little in common: the value of imagination and creativity, kindness and empathy, valuing nature and ecology, cultural awareness, language acquisition, along with self-esteem and team spirit.
This last grouping was a bit of a challenge. It is the tag tied to P.J. Masks, a program that I DO NOT LIKE. It hooked my child nearly immediately with it’s superhero protagonists who are kids and action musical track. Within three viewings, my child was repeating the statements of self-doubt that one of the protagonists frequently uttered, “I can’t do this.” The last thing I want is for my child to feel that she is unable to achieve something — especially at two and a half.
In addition to the self-doubt, there is just overall bratty behavior by either the protagonist or the villian.
What I enjoyed about compiling the list is to review where we agree and where we differ. As the card and my prior paragraphs reveal, we can be on opposite ends of the spectrum on a show. In fact, I was also amused on shows where I have a greater appreciation that she does.
I LOVE Arthur and Molly of Denali. I would love for these to become her destination programs. Fortunately, she does seem to have an interest in the narratives. If Arthur is just alright for her, fine.
The fact that Molly of Denali, with a much more limited number of episodes (just appearing this summer), is one that she seems to appreciate is a huge win for Team Mom. I love that the show features a Native American girl living in Alaska who has a best buddy who is a recent African American transplant from Texas is a unique take. Molly is the highest ranked program where the protagonist, not the sidekick, is female. No character plays the role of stumbling-bumbling, comedic foil — even if the recent transplant is a bit ditzy. It’s a smart program that has humor, conveys a proud cultural heritage and appreciation of nature.
Nonetheless, I am very happy to see that we agree that a show about developing interpersonal relationships and emotions is her top show. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was derived from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, another classic from my childhood. With these shrill and snarky times, encouraging building the core of children is essential. It is a program that I’m certain this master communicator would have taken great pride in being tied to his legacy.
November 12, 2019
Skeptically Viewing Mom 