Television for TV Beginners EDITORIAL 2 20/2007/E

Internationales Zentralinstitut für das Jugend- und Bildungsfernsehen (IZI) 20/2007/E

Television for TV beginners EDITORIAL 2 20/2007/E

Asked to name a children’s television programme, most parents immediately cite a classic like Sesame Street, Mister Ro- gers’ Neighbourhood or Germany’s The programme with the mouse – all these programmes are produced specifically for preschool children. Ironically, while preschool shows immediately come to parents’ minds, many activists actually recom- mend that viewers in this age category watch no TV at all. Research on this matter clearly shows that preschool children are a sensitive target group. Still, strict regulations or bans on electronic media for young children are pointless in real, daily Dr. Maya Götz life. Preschoolers do watch television for a variety of reasons – Head of the International Central Institute of Youth and entertainment, learning, or a break for tired parents. Educational Television (IZI), From a pedagogical perspective, preschoolers have special Munich, Germany needs and deserve their own specially developed shows. We must use research to support high-quality production, by realis- ing problems and possibilities, and turning these into quality standards and educational tips. Research informs us what 2- to 5-year-olds require of television and how they use it (Singer, Zimmerman, Götz). Develop- mental psychology offers typical preschool issues and themes which quality TV can address (Neuß). For preschoolers too young to use the remote control, parents support television viewing choices. Therefore, it is important to know the functions TV has in families’ everyday life (Götz et al.) as well as the perspective of mothers who want the best programme for their children (Bachmann). Innovative ideas on how to produce high-quality programmes could emerge from the newest research on early learning Eng- lish as a second language from TV (Kirch/Speck-Hamdan) or studies of programme innovations like the “Mommy Bar”, an informative line for parents at the bottom of the screen (Fisch). International examples offer an outlook on unique cultural perspectives, such as recognising children’s needs in the fast- changing Russian society (Mirny), or how programmes can deal sensitively with the challenging contexts Palestinian children are confronted with (Arafat). Bangladesh (Lee) offers a unique insight into TV’s role in enhancing children’s intellec- tual development, with the amazing opportunity of observing how the child’s knowledge has changed after the introduction of television. Last but not least, this issue is dedicated to current shows, and exploring what young children like and dislike (Selig, Sistig, Holler). We get an insight into how to make documentaries for preschoolers in the Netherlands (Bult), and see how to manage a 13-hour high-quality preschool channel (Carrington). To meet the needs of the preschool target group we can learn from each other, and exchange TV productions (Schneid) and perspectives on “Television for TV beginners”. CONTENTS 20/2007/E 3

Norbert Neuß Shalom M. Fisch et al. The world of 2- to 5-year-olds The “Mommy Bar” Children aged 2 to 5 years deal with 3 im- While watching TV, not only the pro- portant developmental tasks: expanding gramme content but also conversations their action scope, developing a con- between the viewers can have educational sciousness for future tasks, and becoming TV FOR TV BEGINNERS value. So as to motivate parents of pre- aware of their own identity. This article schoolers to engage in co-viewing, a run- approaches these topics from the ning bar was shown on screen. This study children’s perspective, by interpreting RESEARCH investigates which text is most suitable to both their symbols and self-expression. enhance parent-child interaction. Norbert Neuß Maya Götz The world of 2- to 5-year-olds ____ 4 Anna Mirny TV viewing from before birth Maya Götz What are the educational needs up to the age of 5 TV viewing from before birth of preschool children in Russia? Research on TV and children aged up to 5 What do child experts express to be the up to the age of 5 ______12 shows that even babies take an interest in most important educational needs of chil- watching television. Yet there is much Maya Götz dren in Russia’s fast-changing society? evidence that indicates television viewing What constitutes a good As the adults may themselves struggle does not begin to be beneficial until preschool programme?______18 with the changes, TV can provide guide- preschool age. This, however, depends on Dorothy G. Singer lines for preschoolers to develop, e. g. the programmes and especially on how To watch or not to watch …_____ 20 tolerance, ethic norms, and a healthy often and long children watch. lifestyle. A conversation with F. J. Zimmerman Dorothy G. Singer “The jury is still out on this!” ___ 26 June H. Lee To watch or not to watch … The educational and cultural impact M. Kirch/A. Speck-Hamdan Despite the recommendation of the of Sisimpur 1, 2, 3 with Dora, Elephant & Co. __ 28 American Academy of Pediatrics that Since 2005, the Bangladeshi Sesame under-2-year-olds should not view TV M. Götz/S. Bachmann/O. Hofmann Street is broadcast on national TV, and research has found out: even babies Just a babysitter?______35 specially equipped rickshaws bring the watch, more so do preschoolers. Sabrina Bachmann programme into remote villages. The pro- An analysis of 10 preschool programmes “That is really not necessary!” __ 40 gramme is found to foster basic literacy shows which learning elements there are and mathematical skills. “from a toddler’s perspective”. Shalom M. Fisch et al. The “Mommy Bar” ______44 Cairo Arafat M. Kirch/A. Speck-Hamdan Shara’a Simsim-Palestine 1, 2, 3 with Dora, Elephant & Co. PROGRAMME RESEARCH The Palestinian Sesame Street has been How can television be used to introduce on air for 8 years now. In addition to the children to foreign languages? Anna Mirny characteristic preschool curriculum, the Preschoolers can learn a second language What are the educational needs of series helps children deal with their quite casually. An IZI study examines a preschool children in Russia?___ 42 difficult everyday life with pro-social variety of TV formats and their potential. June H. Lee messages. M. Götz/S. Bachmann/O. Hofmann The educational and cultural Andrea Holler Just a babysitter? impact of Sisimpur ______51 “SpongeBob makes himself and When children watch television, it is Cairo Arafat the children laugh” usually the parents who switch on the set. Shara’a Simsim-Palestine ______54 Although it was not produced for this The findings of a recent IZI study intro- target group, 3- to 6-year-olds already duced in this article will illuminate what Andrea Holler love the series SpongeBob SquarePants motivates them to do so and what functions “SpongeBob makes himself and because of its character construction and television viewing has in families. the children laugh” ______60 the perspectives and experiences that are so typical for children. Sabrina Bachmann PROGRAMME “That is really not necessary!” From a parental point of view, preschool A conversation with J.-W. Bult PROGRAMMES TESTED programmes should show examples that “Children in the centre”______10 BY CHILDREN help children deal with the world. Adver- A conversation with M. Carrington BY CHILDREN tising as well as the scheduling and mis- “Thinking BIG for little people” _ 48 M. Gröller/A. Holler sing separation of shows are criticised. A conversation with J. Selig Is it boring to watch an item Superheroes for the little ones ___ 56 four times?______19 EXPERTS’ OPINIONS Heike Sistig A. Holler/S. Bachmann/M. Götz The programme with the elephant _ 58 Peppa Pig – First in English or Eva’s Winterplaster ______25 Kisten Schneid in German?______34 Lekker Dansen/Dancing ______47 The whole world for a small sum _ 63 M. Götz/S. Bachmann/A. Holler Tanzalarm!/Dance Alert! ______50 Imprint ______33 Do guessing games work?______59