Tag Archives: role modeling

Zoboomafoo

For those of you who don’t know, there is a PBS Kids show called “Zoboomafoo.” Zoboo — as he is affectionately called by the Kratt brothers, Martin and Chris — is a lemur who loves sharing his knowledge about different animals. In every episode, your child can learn a lot of information about another animal. I have only watched this show a couple of times, but my daughter loves it. The funny thing about this show is the way that Zoboomafoo is portrayed. In the beginning when Chris and Martin call to him, you see a real lemur jumping from … Continue reading →

Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends

Of all of the children’s programming available on cable television, there is one that I find particularly intriguing. “Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends” is a show about a family of bugs and, I just found out, is based on a series of books by David Kirk. The show stars Miss Spider and her mate Holley. They are mother and father to several bugs, many of whom are adopted, and they take their parenting very seriously. Miss Spider (Flora) makes sure that all of the vegetarian meals that she prepares for her family are very healthy. She was raised by a … Continue reading →

The Berenstain Bears

Who didn’t enjoy books about the Berenstain Bears when they were young? I know I did. Well, parents, there is a television show based on those books. PBS Kids has “The Berenstain Bears” for the young ones of this generation. I am in no way suggesting that the show takes the place of books — you all know that I LOVE to read. I am simply saying that if your children are going to watch television, they might as well watch something wholesome and educational, right? “The Berenstain Bears” television show is a great tribute to the books by Stan … Continue reading →

The Backyardigans

“The Backyardigans” is a show that I haven’t been able to get into myself, but my nephew and daughter seem to love it. Even though I am a big fan of music and musicals, I can’t bring myself to watch it. What does that have to do with anything? Well, “The Backyardigans” is a show that is done with a lot of music. I suppose one could consider it a musical like some other shows, such as “Wonder Pets!” By the way, “The Backyardigans” is another great animated show using the wonders of 3-D CGI-animation. The group that calls themselves … Continue reading →

PBS Kids Sprout Mini-Shows

There is a kids television station that we have on digital cable here called PBS Kids Sprout. It is almost like PBS Kids’s version of NOGGIN — it’s television for pre-schoolers. In addition to all of the PBS Kids shows like “Curious George,” “Sesame Street,” and “Caillou,” there are also what I like to call their “mini-shows.” Really what this means is that the shows are only about five minutes to ten minutes long, or they only play about five to ten minutes of the show’s episode. The following are some of PBS Kids Sprout’s mini-shows. Pingu Pingu is the … Continue reading →

Why YOUR Behavior Matters to Your Child

As you go about your day, your child is constantly observing you. Even the developmentally delayed child is constantly trying to process information and make sense of what she sees. As a parent, you are your child’s primary role model. The way you respond to various situations makes an indelible mark on your child’s psyche. A behaviorally-disordered child is especially in need of a good parental role model. Kids who have trouble controlling themselves crave visual “cues” for how to act. So it’s a good idea to take stock of your own behaviors and make improvements whenever possible. Don’t assume … Continue reading →

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Based on the “Clifford the Big Red Dog” books by Norman Bridwell, the television series was a hit from the moment it was first introduced to the public television airwaves. Believe it or not, Clifford was the runt of his litter. When Emily Elizabeth Howard came to pick out a puppy, she felt sorry for him because he was so small. Her love made him grow to the size he is today. (Moral of the story: don’t let your children get too attached to their pets.) The small apartment where the Howards used to live just won’t hold them anymore; … Continue reading →