Television Essay -- TV Programs, Monitoring

Since television started its first broadcast in 1941, it has become a staple in American’s homes. Television has much influence on our society and culture. It was first created to entertain, deliver information from the government, and to educate. Over the years, television has changed from education to pure entertainment to meet ratings instead of quality. Children’s programming is one of those casualties, adding violence and sexual innuendoes. Even with all the negative programs, one aspect of children’s programming, educational programing, has kept its integrity and continued to thrive for preschoolers. With the number of children’s educational programming increasing, what are the positive affects do those television shows have on preschoolers? Research suggests the most significant positive effects educational television has on a preschooler are that it heightens imagination, teaches the value of positive social behavior, and increase academic skills f or school readiness. Imagination is an important aspect for cognitive development as it shapes the interaction preschoolers have with their environment (Thakkar, 2006). Singer (2003, p1) defines imagination as the capacity to form images in one’s mind of absent objects or to maintain thoughts or ideas without necessary converting those into acts. She determined that the content on television is what hinders or enhances imagination. Research shows preschoolers imagination can be enhanced by educational television. Studying on how television stimulates imagination is done so with numerous techniques such as observation, inkblots, and questionnaires (Singer, 2003). The most research shows on imagination are on Sesame Street, Mister Rodgers Neighborhood, and Barney and Friends. Se... ...age group can grasp Super Why, Word World, and Blues Clues (Moses). Repetition of a programing episode is important so a child can understand the main points. A preschooler may seem to never tire of that same episode because they a learning things that they did understand the first time or missed (Singer, 2003). To ensure that preschoolers are getting the full benefit of educational programing, parent need to be responsible in choosing the appropriate programs and monitor viewing time. Television is criticized for dubitation American’s society because of the violence and over sexualized. However, as the research show, educational television is positive all around for preschoolers. Television networks have also recognized this. Networks such as Nick Jr., Sprout TV, and Baby TV run twenty-four hours a day to educate children no matter what time of day it is.