The landscape of children’s entertainment has transformed significantly over the past two decades. Looking back at my own childhood, I can remember shows like Sesame Street, Winnie the Pooh, and Mr. Roger’s Neighbourhood being a huge part of my informal learning and development. Maybe it’s just the nostalgia, but compared to what’s available for young people today, I can’t help but feel these older shows had so much more to offer. So, what’s changed, why is it important, and what does the research say?
One of the most notable differences is the deliberate pacing. Mr Rogers, for example, was renowned for his slow and steady rhythm. He spoke directly to children in a calm and gentle voice, often pausing to let ideas sink in. Episodes weren’t jam-packed with constant actions or transitions, instead, they provided room for contemplation. These older shows placed a strong emphasis on modelling positive relationships and emotional intelligence - often exploring themes like kindness, empathy, and managing difficult emotions. Episodes showed children how to navigate the world using relatable scenarios, and often addressed difficult topics like death, divorce, and fear in a way that was gentle and age appropriate.
Fast forward to today’s popular shows which rely on flashing lights, vibrant colours, loud sounds, and quick transitions to hold a child’s attention. Shows like Cocomelon, Blippi, Baby Einstein are expertly crafted to captivate young viewers. While a 20-minute distraction might feel like a lifesaver during a run to the shops, it’s worth asking; at what cost does this convenience come? And, if even adults struggle to set boundaries with screen time and social media doom scrolling, how can we expect children with developing impulse control to manage the pull of these attention-grabbing productions on their own?
For developing brains, such sensory overload can have a long-term impact on behaviour and emotional regulation. In her book Reset Your Child’s Brain, Dr. Victoria Dunkley explains that screen time over-exposure leads to hyper-arousal, irritability, reduced empathy and frontal lobe activity, among other issues. The more children are exposed to such intense sensory stimulation, the harder it becomes for their brains to engage in creative, independent play, or to tolerate quieter, less stimulating environments. In a way, it creates an addiction which can lead to symptoms of withdrawal, even when screen-time is limited.
Now, I’m not saying that you need to detox or ban screen-time completely. That’s not going to happen so easily, and we can’t demand that children give up their screens unless we are willing to role model that behaviour as well. But, maybe there is a middle ground…
Jerrica Sannes, founder of Raise Wildflowers and a child development specialist, created a rubric to evaluate the quality of children’s programming which showed that not all screen time is equal. After assessing nearly 100 popular children’s programs, she uncovered a sobering reality: the vast majority of programs, including those marketed as “educational,” rely on fast-paced scenes, attention-grabbing visuals, and developmentally inappropriate depictions of negative behaviours. Only a small number of programs stood out for their thoughtful, child-centred approach. However, she found that parents who switched to these higher quality, calmer, and more thoughtfully crafted shows reported noticeable and often drastic improvements in their children’s sleep, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
Want to see which shows made the cut? Feel free to check out Jerrica's TV Ruberic at Raise Wildflowers for some great recommendations 🙂
Research shows that the more intentional approach of shows like Mister Rogers and the ones listed above support children’s attention spans, creativity, and their social development. These programs emphasise compassionate communication in relationships, emotional growth, and learning in a way that respects the developmental needs of young minds - rather than prioritising attention and entertainment value.
Screens are an inescapable part of modern childhood, but parents have the power to curate what their children consume. Mindful choices mean that children’s entertainment can be a tool for nurturing calmer, more creative, and more emotionally resilient children. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time to go back to basics.
What fond memories do you have of the things you watched or experienced as a child? If you could bring something back from the past to introduce to your kids today, what would it be?