It started out simple enough. I wanted some DVDs from the library, preferably ones I could check out that I wouldn’t have to pay the $1 rental fee. As I scanned the shelves I found a 3-disc copy of Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?” I vaguely recall this show from years back (funny though, I could have sworn it was “where in the world…”) so I scooped it up for Tyler— all 6 hours. I also picked out a few more DVDs and as luck would have it Carmen was a freebie, along with some PBS educational videos.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that not only did each 30-minute segment of this little show provide entertainment but it also introduced kids to educational topics including geography and history. It was not my intention to even watch the DVDs. I admit it was a diversion so that I could get some work done and have some “me” time while Tyler watched the DVDs. I figured I had enough DVDs where I could have at least an hour a day for the next week. However, I was so impressed with the Carmen DVD that I have ended up watching it with Tyler. So far we’ve watched two of the discs (which equals 8 shows).
I know a lot of parents and experts don’t feel young kids should watch TV and/or videos but some of the programs provide more than entertainment. It never would have dawned on me that this particular series was one of these programs, but it is.
What I like best about the series is they ask questions based on information they have previously given. Sort of a test to see if you were really listening. It became a contest between Tyler and me to see who would get the correct answer first. The series has also sparked an interest in Tyler wanting to find out more about subjects mentioned in several of the episodes. I guess that was the whole idea of the series in the first place, a sneaky way of sparking kids interests. Sometimes kids learn best when the information presented is not so, “in your face.”
These DVDs have turned out to be teachable moments. I will definitely check to see if they have additional episodes available for rental. The moral of the story is– you can’t judge a book (or in this case a DVD) by it’s cover. Opportunities to provide stimulating learning experiences for your children exist all around us. And sometimes you don’t have to go and look for them, they sneak up on you.
See also: