Are Cartoons REALLY Bad?

Question

Ok, I have a 4 year old a 2 year old. Both of them have alloted times during they day that they watch cartoons. Just hearing that I have had several people look down on me and judge me for that, I'm assuming because they think they are being "raised" by the television. They couldn't be more wrong.

Back in the day we didn't have educational cartoons. We had Bugs Bunny and all of those, sheer violence and it was fun! Nowadays it's different. There are so many educational cartoons for our children. For example, my son is 4 and can speak more Spanish that I ever have been able to. He knows his numbers up to 30 and can recognize them all. He has a large vocabulary and does school work at a 1st grade level. My 2 year old also has a large vocabulary, knows her colors, all of her body parts, can count to 30 and is already learning to recognize her ABC's.

I work with them every chance I get, I teach them about everything they see. So tell me...what is so bad about cartoons?

They have gotten a jump start on their education from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues and all of the other wonderful new educational shows out there. Why do people see this as bad? They also have alloted times to do actual "school work" and we spend more time playing outside and learning about our environment than inside. They don't play video games, they are respectful and well behaved, they are not spoiled at all. They both have IQ's way above their age group. I THANK educational cartoons for this. They don't veg out, they learn and we continue to discuss what they learned after it's over. Why do so many parent's judge this as wrong?

Heather: I completely agree with you about the obesity issue. That is one reason I like Dora, the Backyardigans, Lazy Town and the others, they encourge the kids to get up and dance or move and it's so fun for them. My son loves the Upside Down show now too and I catch myself laughing at it too. As a treat, each evening before bed, they both get to watch 30 minutes of Tom and Jerry because they both LOVE it. All the rest are educational only.

Blackbirdn: My daughter is 14 and is also an incredible artist and it all started with her interest in cartoons, primarily Pokemon. She started drawing them in Kindergarten and has evolved into an incredibly talented young woman who dreams of being involved in animation some day and she also wants to be a tattoo artist as well. GO FOR IT! We need more people like you! Bless you for your artistic endeavors!

Answer 1

I think it is probably the older parents that look down upon it, because your right, there weren't all these educational cartoons out there a few years back. I see nothing wrong with it..my son will be 3 in august and just now taking an interest in TV at all, he loves Dora, Diego, and Elmo...all very educational programs that I see nothing wrong with at all.

Answer 2

I totally agree with you about how much children can learn from the cartoons on tv these days. I can't even tell you how shocked the guy at the poster store was when my 3 year old son asked for Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh (Little Einsteins). He also knows all the planets in order as well as facts about each (also Little Einsteins). My one complaint about Little Einsteins would be that he thinks classical songs have words (ala "Jump Joey Jump, Jump to the Talent Show").

But there really are some brain rotting cartoons out there too (think Cartoon Network). And others that are merely entertaining, not educating (Lilo and Stitch, Timon and Pumba). Those are the kind that are best avoided in favor of more constructive activities.

Another thought, with obesity--especially childhood obesity--being at such high levels these days, its just easy to point to tv as a major cause (and lets be realistic, its certainly not helping as far as that goes).

Answer 3

With all the wonderful educational television cartoons out there teaching out children things that we may not be as fun at teaching them, why not utilize that tool. My daughter has several cartoons that she watches while I do chores that teach her about reading and spelling and life skills. There are bad cartoons out there though that children should not be watching...most of them are on in the evening though such as Simpsons, King of the Hill, American Dad, Family Guy, South Park and so forth. These are more adult animation though and not really geared towards children.
If your child is learning to do basic stuff through the cartoon that is fine. If the are watching adult geared cartoons then it is pointless. Plus the tv time should be limited to only a few hours a week. It is great that you utilize this tool but do not abuse it. It is important for kids to be well rounded.

Answer 4

I don't think they're bad, maybe if they watch tv 8 hours a day. My son just turned 1 so we don't watch alot of tv yet. So far he seems interested in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I think because the colors are so bright on that cartoon. He likes a little Blues Clues, but he only watches a few minutes of it. I think an hour or so of tv is okay because they do learn from cartoons now, and they get up and jump around. Plus it gives you time to wash the dishes or get lunch ready while they are occupied.

Answer 5

I agree with a lot of the opinions being shared that the educational cartoons are not bad. Actually, they are really beneficial if used in moderation. My daughter learned all sorts of things watching Dora especially. We still like some of them, and we are in Kindergarten. LazyTown is great! Backyardigans still rock, and the Wonder Pets are still cool. I allow mine to watch an episode when she gets in from school and then we do homework, etc. I trust these shows. Some of them out there I do not trust. They are full or violence. I do not condone them, but the ones you mentioned are great, in my opinion.

Answer 6

Hehehe...I'll bet he got the Spanish from Dora. I understand exactly where you're coming from. My girls are allowed to watch a little television each day. Both of my girls have learned quite a bit of things that I don't even know. I can speak a little Spanish. My girls are two and three now. They are both picking up a lot of Spanish from Dora. They also like to count along with Dora, pretend with the Backyardigans, and say their ABC's with Big Bird. I do all of these with my girls (except for words in Spanish that I don't even know...lol). Personally, I think a little television can help. It's nice that when I'm making their lunches I get to hear them learning even though I'm not right there teaching them. Keep up the good work with you children. Tell people to mind their own business and raise their own kids.

Answer 7

I have a 2 yr old and a 5 month old. I do not let the 2 yr old watch cartoons unless they are educational ones on Noggin, Disney, Nick Jr or PBS. I don't even let him watch SpongeBob. Some cartoons have many adult undertones that are unsuitable for young minds. My son is very intelligent for his age and I contribute some of what he knows to watching shows such as Sesame Street, Go Diego Go, Blues Clues and Dora.

Answer 8

I accept as true with you!! I used to observe the BEST indicates ever, like Lizzie McGuire and Kim Possible and Zack and Cody, and many others., and now Disney indicates are so dull and truthfully relatively irrelevant. They're all approximately boyfriends and girlfriends they usually also have plenty of kissing, after which grown-united stateswonder why their youngsters are constructing at such younger a long time. I bet Disney simply is strolling out of exhibit suggestions so they are seeking to arise with matters that could attraction to young adults, like kissing, and many others. I admit I commonly watch a exhibit simply thus, however I'm no longer a little bit child. Disney is fitting extra for older young adults relatively, little children can not relatively watch it anymore. I bet we're going to simply have got to desire that a pleasant exhibit will pop out, and if no longer, it's not relevant; we will be able to consistently watch historic episodes on YouTube or some thing. :)

Answer 9

My 3 year old twins have also benefited from watching educational cartoons like Dora. I don't use it as a "babysitter" but as a learning tool. I try to watch the cartoons with them and get them to "help" Dora but I also don't feel bad to let them watch while I do stuff with their baby brother either. I feel as long as they aren't watching TV all day then there isn't a problem with them watching it occasionally. I usually let them watch a show then I play with them or have them do other things like color or read them stories and then I may let them watch another show while I feed the baby or fix lunch.

Answer 10

I am probably the only non-mother to answer this, but I think I can tell you from a different POV.
I am a college student, and my major is animation. Cartoons inspired me to draw, appreciate visual stimuli, and be imaginative and creative. I always had a love for art (not just cartoons, but fine art), and while some cartoons can be inane and useless brain fodder, I can assure you that cartoons can be an introduction for your children into art that grows into a lifetime interest.
I am glad so many of you mentioned educational cartoons, because while many of my peers aspire to work on Pixar films and adult cartoons, I myself plan to pursue a career in children's tv shows. Thanks for refreshing my motivation! And I hope your kids will enjoy the cartoons I intend to make :)