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.”