We all remember our favourite childhood programmes but what about the ones
that taught us something about the world. In fact, some of the best kids TV
was the stuff that changed the way we look at the world or inspired us to do
something we might not otherwise have done. Here, Anne Gilchrist, Controller
of CBBC gives her top 10 kids TV programmes that make the grade in
delivering learning as well as laughs.
10. How2
Simplicity is the key to this award-winning CITV programme that is now in its
fifteenth series. It taps into kids’ never-ending curiosity and answers
their questions with brilliantly executed experiments and graphics. Striking
a balance between fact and fun, subjects cover everything from the mundane,
“How do non-stick saucepans work?” to the bizarre “How
can lightning blow your socks off?" and the whole spectrum in
between.
“This shows how sometimes the most simple formats can be the most effective.
It’s one of the successes of kid’s TV because it’s really straightforward.
You come up with a question like, “How does an airplane stay in the air when
it’s so heavy” and find an entertaining way of explaining it,” said
Gilchrist.
9. Roar
A modern wildlife show notable for its innovative use of the internet. It
follows the animals - silverback gorillas, snow leopards, tigers, anteaters
and more - and keepers in Port Lympne and Howletts wild animal parks. The
online game allows kids to design and populate their own animal park. A bit
like a tamagotchi - but with responsibility for more than one virtual animal
- they have to keep the animals alive by deciding things like how much and
often to feed them.
"The online game is fantastic. It is about acknowledging the kinds of
things kids like to do – giving them some learning too – a bit of added
value. We always try and give them something a little bit extra," said
Gilchrist.
8. The Really Wild Show
The award-winning natural history show was axed in 2006 on its 20th birthday.
The original line-up - Terry Nutkins, spiky-haired Chris Packham and
Michaela Strachan - travelled the globe and opened a generation’s eyes to
the wonders of animals in the wild. From cuddly lion cubs to scorpions and
bears to sharks, no fangs were too sharp, no claws too spiky for these
intrepid naturalists.
“It was about finding experts in natural history that have a passion for that
world and letting kids discover those things through those people. Part of
enjoyment is the passion of those presenters who want to share their passion
with you. It’s key,” said Gilchrist.
7. Beat the boss
One of the new breed of children’s TV programmes which encourages children to
use their initiative and take control. Each week a team of children called
“The Bright Sparks” pit their insider knowledge of what kids want against
the expertise of adult marketing and design professionals, “The Big Shots”,
to see who can design the most child-friendly product - like ice
cream for kids.
“It’s encouraging kids through entertainment to take an interest in world and
question things. Plus, kids love the opportunity to beat adults. If you
think about it, their life is being told what to do all the time. Read that
book stop doing this. It’s their chance to take control,” said Gilchrist.
6. Vision On
The BBC’s original smart art show presented by Tony
Hart (who would later introduce plasticine character, Morph
to our screens). Quirky animation, mime and minimal dialogue made it one of
the first programmes to appeal as much to non-hearing as hearing children.
Most of the shows that have come since – Smart,
Art Attack, Take
Hart - follow this pioneering format.
“One of the really early shows with what we now “call user generated content”
- kids sent in their drawings. It’s very similar to what we do on Smart
today although there’s more technology – animating, CGI and camera tricks to
keep the wow factor. It’s about creating an interest in things outside their
living room. All education is about giving you the tools to survive but it’s
also about creating interests that you can have for the rest of your life,”
said Gilchrist.
Watch a clip from Vision
On
5. Newsround
One of the world’s first TV news programmes aimed specifically at children.
But, this doesn’t preclude scoops. Newsround was the first BBC television
programme to break the news of the Space Shuttle Challenger crashing on 28
January 1986. Children also have a chance to try their hand at reporting by
being a Press Packer.
“It’s about giving a context, finding out what’s relevant for kids and giving
a straightforward explanation. We can always tell kids are interested
because we get a huge influx of messages on message board. They have
irrational fears sometimes and by trying to lessen the confusion, you can
help them to understand issues better. The reason for making kids TV is that
it might help them in ways adult TV might not. It’s a very valuable
service,” said Gilchrist.
4. Teletubbies
Ok, it looks completely absurd but Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po’s
ungainly limbs and daft burbling are designed specifically to mimic the body
proportions, behaviour and language of toddlers. The pacing of the
BAFTA-award winning show and its main feature - repetition of practically
every word - was designed by cognitive psychologist, Andrew Davenport to fit
the attention spans of one to four year olds. It became something of a cult
hit among the student population too spawning a one-hit wonder "Telebubbies
say eh-oh" which sold more than one million records in 1997.
“Innovative but really controversial. Americans thought it was going to damage
the learning of language in some way and they got very nervous. Teletubbies
still endures because it’s all come out of childrens’ behaviour and
developmental needs but without being entertaining your wasting your time,”
said Gilchrist.
3. Bamzooki
A new generation gameshow that merges real and virtual worlds. The show works
in conjunction with its website. Hopeful contestants - often
in self-organised teams - design ‘zooks’
(virtual creatures) using a toolkit downloadable from the show’s website.
The best zooks go forward to compete against each other in various trials -
sprint, high jump, hurdles – during the show. For reasons yet unknown to the
makers, it has proved particularly appealing to autistic children.
“Kids learn about design and how things work and get to have some fun at the
same time. We wanted them to think about how bridges are designed, how cars
are designed. Which zook can turn a corner best? Which is best at clambering
over things? It was something the kids had to think about when they were
designing them. They had to think about speed, strength, agility – do you
try to incorporate all components into your animal or do you just go for
something like brute strength. Do you make your creature like a spider or an
Alpha Romeo?” said Gilchrist.
2. Blue Peter
Tony Blair has
appeared on this cult classic, which has been going strong since 1958. So
has Margaret Thatcher
- and ABBA . David
Beckham famously said the programme inspired him to play football and Brit
artist Damien Hirst commented that he first saw the technique he now uses to
make spin-paintings (one of which sold for £95,000 this month) on a Blue
Peter item.
“The fact that it has survived for so long … it’s so well loved. You can learn
about ballet, social responsibility, travel the world, all sorts of things.
You always hope you’ve pushed someone into an area they wouldn’t otherwise
have gone into and that they might do something amazing with later on. I’m
sure it’s inspired so many people over the years,” said Gilchrist.
1. Sesame Street
Probably the most popular and enduring educational kid’s TV programme ever.
Created by non-profit organisation Sesame Workshop (formerly Children’s
Television Workshop) it is the pioneering model of ‘edutainment’
interspersing animation, live action and actors with Bert, Ernie, The Count, Cookie
Monster and the rest of Jim Henson’s muppets
in catchy, memorable segments designed like adverts. It has been televised
in 120 countries and more than 20 international versions have been created
delivering the likes Barrio Sésamo in Spain and Sesamstraat in Holland -
which also features a blue Big Bird. Like Teletubbies, it's influence on pop
culture is huge. In 1992, rave track, Sesame's
Treet by Smart E's reached number two in the charts.
“Quite often with these shows it comes down to talent. I’ve met the people who
make Sesame Street and they are really passionate about kids and really
talented about being entertaining. It’s that sort of mission to make kids
laugh with the education embedded in the show that really works. Kids learn
best when they are being entertained,” said Gilchrist.
I would have included The Magic School Bus, an inspired and inspiring memory from my teenage sons younger years.
nick, reading,