Jun 09, 2006 03:15 AM
8246 Views
I need to confess that my review here does not fall under the title given by MS but then couldn’t just stop myself from letting the MS forum know about this television channel. For the past two years I have been traveling and traveling and this May 2006, I decided to make a trip to the US and visit my brother. Taking time off and realizing the need for rest, I thought television was the best alternative to let my mind freak out.
So while browsing the channels here (about 500 may be more) I came across a channel called Baby First TV. The program being telecast was quite interesting and the developments were something very impressive that caught my attention. I felt I must continue watching the program for a while.
So I watched this channel for the next two days. It is a channel for babies and preschoolers. Ideally speaking it is not a Television channel but an educational interactive medium, informative and articulate. The design of the program involves a lot of features that enhance interaction and communication with the toddlers. I was extremely surprised to know that some of the programs had certain aspects which could build social interactive skills in toddlers and preschoolers.
The logo of the channel right below changes color and indicates the concept and objective of the program. It is really amazing because I felt it was the only channel (Discovery, National Geographic, Animal Planet and Travel & Living) that has fulltime programs for toddlers and children. Moreover, every program has instructions for parents and they are given as subtitles. Like the parent has to repeat the name or noun they teach and help the baby pronounce it. Each color has a specific objective and I have listed out the objectives for your reference.
Yellow Flower for Thinking Journey (creative thinking) Blue Flower for Numbers Parade (math) Green Flower for Sensory Wonderland (sensory) Red Flower for Language Playground (language) Orange Flower for Feelings Garden (social skills) Pink Flower for Imagination Lane (creative play) Multi-Colored Flower for Rainbow Dreams (soothing lullabies)
My views and analysis - Many channels on air for children do not have the interactive aspect and the educational aspects are very musical. It makes it very informal and most children do not take cognizance of the facts being taught and it is necessary for the parent to watch the program with the child to basically guide him watch it. More often than not, the child does not understand what actually is happening.
Facts for parents- Some programs have information for the parents on the latest research inputs in child development. This is extremely important as the program is watched by several toddlers, preschoolers and parents. It definitely plays a very important role in communicating information to parents about child upbringing. They have quite often emphasised on the fact that reading a book to the child enhances its grasping power and children tend to learn faster when they listen to something being read to them.
Less of Jargon – Many programs for children have a lot of jargon which is quite heavy on their minds and the child misses out on what he actually wants to learn. The whole objective is lost when lot of facts are put into one particular program.
Some Repetitions – The repetitive aspects of the program are really good because toddlers and preschoolers first catch the sound, the music, the language and then the real aspect of what is being taught. This is interesting.
DVD’s –There are DVD’s available on these programs and one could certainly buy them for parents to improvise on teaching their child.
Importance of Education - Asserting the importance of education from that young age is something very essential today. The quality of education also plays an important role. The effect of education on personality building has its own merits which I guess none today would deny.
I have made the effort to put it across to the MS forum readers and probably if any of you is interested, you could visit the website https://babyfirsttv.com and get more information.
Wonder why Indian media did not think of it? May be we could do something there also?
