Reference list

Alexander, A. (n.d.). Children and Television. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/childrenand/childrenand.htm

Children and TV Violence. (2002). Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_and_tv_violence

Gavin, M. L. (2008). How TV Affects Your Child. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html

Graham J. (2008). How Television Viewing Affects Children. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4100.htm

Miller, D. (1999). Television’s effects on kids: It can be harmful. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9908/20/kids.tv.effects/

Psychosocial Paediatrics Committee. (2009). Impact of media use on children and youth. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/PP/pp03-01.htm

Rebling, K. (2004). Violence and Children’s TV. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.goethe.de/wis/med/thm/en90242.htm

Television and Children. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/health_safety/television.shtml

Television’s Impact on Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/television/tv_impact_kids.cfm

The Good Things About Television. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2009, from http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/television/good_things_tv.cfm

Children's TV - Television for Children

When I think back to my early childhood in terms of watching TV in the evening with my parents, the first thing that comes to my mind is ‘Das Sandmännchen’ (The Little Sandman). This approximately 10 minutes long series is maybe the most popular daily bedtime TV program for children in Germany. On November 22, 1959 ‘Das Sandmännchen’ was introduced to East-German screens. The little puppet is a man with a beard and a pointed cap who sends the children to sleep. He introduces them to a little story and in the end wishes them a good night by “scattering” sand into their eyes. In the beginning, there were two versions of ‘Das Sandmännchen’, one in West Germany and one in East Germany. After the unification of Germany, only the East version has been continued and continues to be broadcasted until today. I am from East Germany, the former GDR (German Democratic Republic) and of course I say that “our” version is the more beautiful one. Here you can see the theme composed to the East German version, with a translation into English.

‘Das Sandmännchen’ is a REAL children’s TV program. But what makes a program to a children’s program? According to Wapedia, “Children's television series are television programmes designed for, and marketed to children, normally broadcast during the morning and afternoon. The purpose of the shows is mainly to entertain and sometimes to educate the young audience about basic life skills or ideals.”

Introduction to my socio-political topic

Every day in the morning when having breakfast, I am watching TV - on the one hand to improve my English, and on the other one to know what’s going on in the world. At some point, the news is no longer interesting and I decide to switch to another channel. The choice of channels in the Wellesley Student Apartments is limited to only seven, and therefore, there is not that much switching. This is why it happens that I eventually arrive at a children’s TV program. Very soon I will be totally disappointed by the shows - I really have a feeling that television for children gets worse and worse. This is true for Germany and New Zealand. The figures look so much strange, they have crazy shapes, they perform nearly impossible actions etc. Consequently, in my opinion, children cannot escape from their fate of getting dull and light-headed.

This is why the first socio-political topic that came to my mind has been "Children and Television in New Zealand". I believed children’s TV to make toddlers stupid. However, maybe I was wrong since this kind of television represents a “magical, wonderful and safe world”, according to The Playground. ABC Childrens TV. Hence, I did some research on children’s TV and finally decided to have a closer look on "The Effects of Television on Children".

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About me

Hey =)
I'm Konny, a study abroad student from Germany and I will be in Auckland/NZ for one semester. I'm studying English and Business in my final year.