8/3/2019 Children Show Assignment

1/2

Numerous children shows are fine examples of Cultivation Theory at work. Professors such as George Gerbner argued that Television is the source of the most broadlyshared images and messages in history...Television cultivates from infancy thevery predispositions and preferences that used to be acquired from other primarysources ... The repetitive pattern of television's mass-produced messages and images forms the mainstream of a common symbolic environment.

Hence, this essay aims to show how the time that children spent watchingthese programmes are actually investments from the media to cultivate social scripts for children to adopt. The television shows selected to support this notion are Blues' Clues, Barney and Friends, and Hi-5. However, it is also significant to note that children do not only watch these programmes. They are also exposed to advertisements in between and during the breaks of these shows. Advertisements from Koko Krunch and Hot Wheels take advantage of these time slots for theirown benefits too. All these cultivate a social norms amongst children that willbe explained further.

The reason for selecting the above-mentioned television shows is becausethey cater to pre-school children. These programmes are engaging to these child

ren due to the usage of songs and dances. It is easier for them to understand and remember the lyrics when they are having fun. Children of that age are very active and an interactive medium suits them.

Nevertheless, they are different in their approaches. Barney and Friendshas a lot of interaction amongst the characters of the show. However, it stopsthere. The characters do not engage the audience other than singing their songs.Blues' Clues, on the other hand, gets their audience involved. Steve, the maincharacter of the show, will ask his audience for their opinions on how to solvecertain problems he encounters. Moreover, there are children voices that promptand reply to Steve's queries. These features of the show encourage participationfrom the audience to get these children more involved. They feel engaged and happy when they get involved. Hi-5 has another approach on getting their audience

interacting. They perform in front of a live children audience. There are snippets of those children having fun as they sing and dance along.

These shows, get their audience motivated. The children will subconciously absorb the messages that the shows want to portray. They are generally educational shows that aim to promote and instil civic-mindedness to the children thatwatch these shows. They teach values such as appreciation and being helpful through the songs they sing. They also encourage simple thinking skills by gettingthem involved in solving problems that the characters have.

All these values are instilled to their audience. They become social scripts that will be developed so they will grow up to become responsible individua

ls of society. It is more effective when these children learn their respective social scripts at a young and impressionable age. Hence, television is the best medium for it.

Other than that, the advertisements shown during the time slots helped to instil want and desire from their audience. Koko Krunch tend to exaggerate themaking of their product. Even though it is not true, the animations of the advertisement appeal to the children. Koko Krunch looks even more delicious when milk was poured on it. It taps into the children's desire of wanting to eat it. Atthe end of the ad, the bear got rewarded and it gives a sense that the childrendeserve to be rewarded with Koko Krunch.

Another advertisement that takes advantage of their time slot position i

s Hot Wheels. They have a song that is catchy for the children. Nice and impactful visuals and diagrams are very appealing to the boys. Moreover, the boys in the advertisement look happy playing with their product. All these are ingredients

8/3/2019 Children Show Assignment

2/2

that effectively promote interest for children, especially boys, to get their hands of the toy.

These advertisement were successful in their aims of getting the children interested through fun visuals and interaction of the characters. Same goes with the shows. All these are effective tools in instilling social scripts for these children to adopt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wwpBpypayQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lba-P2SrPqQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btoDg4LVeCghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-keOVH_ivTghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NkWb9HTFhw