do programs like dora the explorer, diego etc?

Question

okay the question that i want to ask is this
do programs like dora the explorer, go diego go, and little einstiens really teach something to little kids like around the age of 1-4 yrs old? because i had this discussion in my spanish class and i had this heated arguement with this older lady

what do you guys think do you agree with my professor that dora is only trying to sell the stuff. and not teaching the younger kids anything.

or

do you agree with the older lady that all television is garbage.

please i would like to know what you guys think??

thanx everyone, and i do agree with you that they do teach something
and as for that older lady i guess she hasn't watch any of dora cause she refers to it as estupido-stupid in spanish doesn't make sense i know and i didn't want to go further into this agruement with her and my professo of spansih cause my parents always told me to respect my elders

Answer 1

my son watches these programs and at 22 months learned how to recite his alphabet and he can count to 10 in spanish. he is about to turn 3 next month and he knows his colors and shapes too. i sit and watch the programs with him and i also read alot to him. i dont care how much money they make off the products because it's irrelevent to my son. if he's learning things then thats all that matters and i'm fine with it.
i only let him watch 2 shows per day(thats about 1 hour) and as we watch he is interacting,learning and bonding with me because we do it together. i dont use the t.v. as a sitter,i use it as a learning tool. you have to make limits and it's working because he's learning alot. hope this helps!!

Answer 2

Sorry this is so long!
It just depends on the learner, but most of the time these programs help kids learn . (Although I agree it is better as a supplement). I love the idea of Dora (I haven't watched the Diego show). It is teaching the things that all preschoolers need to know: colors, numbers, shapes, etc, not only in English but in Spanish. I know lots of preschoolers that know some spanish because of Dora.
What most people don't realize about Dora is that she also talks about hispanic culture that a child can understand. She had a show about soccer, dancing the mambo, and about a quincianera and the big pinata to name a few,
As high school spanish teacher, I love Dora and show it to my juniors and seniors! I would even argue that older kids (9-12 graders) can watch and learn spanish too (and have a reason to be silly).

Answer 3

I think there is no definite answer to your question, because television does a little of both. Dora, and the other shows, derive revenue from merchandising. However, the shows also have an educational and an entertainment value.
People who create shows may have a purpose in mind, but in the end, the audience is not passive; it is wrong to think that everyone will get the same thing out of a show, even if the audience is children.

Answer 4

Yes they teach some things. As a supplement, the occasional show is okay. My son loves classical music now b/c of Little Einsteins. Blue's Clues really goes over shapes, numbers, patterns and thinking skills. Has she ever sat down and watched show? They're pretty educational. Now, Sponge Bob is a different story.

Answer 5

I have a 2 1/2 year old, and without me teaching him, he knew which crayons were "azul,"rojo," and "amarillo." We do not use spanish in our home at all, but he does watch Dora and Diego.

I'm convinced that children do absolutely learn from these shows. How could they do otherwise if they are glued to the screen while these shows are on?

Answer 6

Yes. They are educational. My son has learne quite a bit from only watching these shows a couple of times. He was really into Elmo's World and it's amazing how much he picked up. He doesn't sit in front of the tv either. He plays and listens.

Answer 7

those educational programs definitely teach young children. you have to remember that they aren't going to start reading and writing or producing music at the age of 2 or 3 because of these shows, but they will get the hang of learning everyday things, such as colors, problem solving, numbers, letters, etc.