The Two Childrens Television Shows - Report Example

Select 2 children’s television shows aimed at a specific age group. One educational and one not. Site where or how you got the information. The two television shows selected are, Tom and Jerry Cartoons. Tom and Jerry is a sequence of animated cartoon movies produced by Joseph Barbera, and William Hanna. This is a comedy movie meant to entertain. This two were contracted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to produce an animated programme, which centers on a continuous competition between a rat, named Jerry, and a cat, named Tom. The battle between these two animals usually ends in a comic connotation with Jerry, on most occasions winning... When faced with a common enemy, the two rivals become friends to defeat their enemy, usually a dog, named Spike. These films were produced in the periods 1940 to 1957, and until now, some TV stations air this series, and they can be found on DVDs. The Tom and Jerry sequence has certifications from Academy Award for Animated Short Film, and it has worldwide viewers who are teenagers, adults, and children. I have personally watched this cartoon on the television program, and I have the DVDs for all its series. School house rock. School house rock is an example of animated musical educational short movies which were showed in America every Saturday morning on U.S television network ABC. The movies were aired during the periods 1973 to 1985, and a new series was aired during the periods 1993 to 1999. Other episodes were produced in the year 2009. This programme covered topics in mathematics, economics, history, science, civics, and grammar. I have personally watched this program. Discuss the age group the show is aimed towards. What are the developmental milestones for that age? Discuss theorists. Be thorough. Development milestone refers to the skills the children acquire during their periods of growth. Children develop skills in the following areas (Bruni, 2006). There is a stage of development referred to as the cognitive development. At this stage, children become skilled at how to identify, and explain problems. For instance, a five-year-old child learning the essentials of grammar (Bruni, 2006). The next stage is emotional and social development. This is a phase where children acquire the capacity to relate with others, including themselves. It is during this period that they acquire the virtues of self-control. An example involves a five-year-old boy knowing how to queue when needing services at the school library (Bruni, 2006). There is also the language, and speech development stage. This is a period where a child acquires the capability of using proper language, and identifies with it. For example, a three-year-old child becoming conscious of the names of different items on his surrounding (Bruni, 2006). The next stage is normally referred to as the Fine Motor Skill Development stage. At this phase, a child learns on how to use minor movement muscles in his body (Bruni, 2006). The gross skill development phase involves the child’s usage of large muscles for movement. For example, a three year old child leaning to ride a bicycle (Bruni, 2006). The age groups that the two shows aim at are children between 5 to 7 years. The following are the development milestones for this age group. The child acquires the ability to measure ingredients, and use uncomplicated tools such as a grater. At this age group, the child begins to lose her teeth, and she can brush her teeth by her-self. At this age group, the child begins to use crayons for drawings, and pencils to make sentences. At this stage, the child develops skills to complexly move his body, for example, skipping and jumping. At this age group, the child acquires the ability to recognize objects, define them, and their use. The child develops listening abilities, and she is able to engage in a conversation. The child develops learning abilities such as basic mathematics, grammar constructions. The child will develop feelings, and believe that substances have feelings. The child begins to understand the principles of yesterday, tomorrow, and today. At this age group, the child can understand, and implement instructions. The child begins to know his/her full names, and that of her parents. The child begins to develop self-esteem at this stage. At this age group, children are drawn closer to their parents of the same sex group. The child begins to make comparisons of what is expected of her/him against others expectations. The child begins to develop, and make a difference between truths, and lies. The child begins to take interest of her/ his sex. How do the shows aim at this particular age group and how do they not? Tom and Jerry Cartoon is an animation, which is comic, and targets this group. It does this by (Brion, 1990), For instance, in the series, Tom uses any type of weapon he can find to eliminate Jerry. From a knife, an axe, and a gun. At this age group, children become conscious of such tools, and their usage. There is also the language used. The series does not have a definite language, but it usually uses sign language, and motions for communication, but there are instances where Tom’s owner calls Toms name. At this age group, children learn on how to communicate effectively, and they are always conscious of their names. Music plays an integral part in the development of the film, and it emphasizes an act. Children at this stage are aware of their surroundings, and what shapes their opinions. Music in this parts attracts there concentration, and thereafter entertains them. The movie has instances where Tom is severely hurt, or Jerry is cut into pieces. This brings about emotion, and it is at this age group that children develop emotions. School House Rock is an educational program, and it targets this age group through the following means, The series teaches grammatical and simple mathematical skills. At this age group, children learn on how to effectively communicate, and solve simple mathematics. The show is an animation show, and it attracts children of this age group. Music plays an integral part of these films, and it attracts the attention of children at this age group. How they do not target children of this age group: The following are ways in which the Tom and Jerry series does not target children of this age group. It is complex to understand the conflict between Tom the cat and Jerry, the mouse, and it is at this stage, that children tend to form relations. Extensive use of sign language, which at times is difficult for the children to understand. It is at this stage that children learn how to effectively communicate. There is extensive violence, and it is at this stage that children learn on how to interact with each other. The following are means that School House Rock does not target children at this age group, It sometimes introduces complex economic and mathematical problems that become difficult for children at this age group to understand. English used in communication is complex for children at this age group to understand. Are there any concerns or problems with either show? There are concerns with the Tom and Jerry show. The show has comedic fights between a cat and a mouse (Brion, 1990). The fights center on Toms desire to capture Jerry and this usually results into violent episodes with Tom always being the victim. There are images of Tom slicing Jerry to pieces, and vice versa, use of explosives by Tom, and Jerry etc. Children at this age group are not supposed to be exposed to violent episodes since it is at this stage that they learn how to behave. Children may view such acts of violence as heroic. What other programs are on at the same time. Are they appropriate for the age? Sesame Street Reading Rainbow X-MEN The Simpsons These shows are appropriate for children. As a health care professional, what advice could you give families regarding television? Use expert advice. As a health care expert, I will advice parents to let their children watch the television for about 10 hours a week (Castleman and Podrazik, 2003 ). This is because childhood is a period of growth, and the child needs time to do other activities such as playing with other children, learning new skills, and exploring their interest. Parents need to establish good habits in their children in regard to the television, they will do this by coming up with rules such as no watching television until homework is done. When children show signs of withdrawal when the television time is reduced, parents need to engage the children in development activities such as participating in house hold work. References Brion, P. (1990). Tom and Jerry: the definitive guide to their animated adventures. New York: Harmony Books. Bruni, M. (2006). Fine motor skills in children with Down syndrome: a guide for parents and professionals (2. ed.). Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. Castleman, H., & Podrazik, W. J. (2003). Watching TV: six decades of American television (2nd ed.). Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press. Read More