No, you are not imagining it. I am really writing an article specifically to praise this BBC children channel. I feel like when someone is doing a great job, whoever they may be, one must acknowledge excellence. This channel is one I knew only by name, prior to becoming a mum. It is now on in my house more than any other: gone are the days when we had set days for watching our various programs on various channel none of which, had anything remotely related to cartoons/kiddie stuff. But before you think I must be missing my usual programs; a mirage of mainly criminal/action dramas, let me tell you that I am not.
I have fully embraced this childrens' channel and have become some sort of an expert. So allow me to take you on a short journey on why this channel deserves recognition.
1) Educational programs: Most of the programs on CBBC channel have an element of educational benefits to the young viewer. Some specifically cater for the much younger viewers (under 1) without losing the educational element. Usually education and fun are not words that go together but this channel excels in blending these two words. Take shows like 'Alphablocks', here the viewer learns about words and how to spell them, or numbers with simple mathematics and the opening program 'Show me, Show me'; again new words are taught in a very simple, imaginative yet fun and effective manner to the viewer. Other shows include 'twirlwoos'; a creative program entering around a family of colourful yet mischievous birds as they go about learning new words out of their small ship. 'Andy's adventures' takes the viewers into the world of dinosaurs aided by high tech computer graphics and factual details making it fascinating and educational. 'Go Jetters' a futuristic action cartoon with a focus on Geography and global landmarks, is another example.
Education is absolutely important and the sooner a child start to learn the better. This is one of the reasons why I believe this channel deserves credit. Watching any of these shows brings to your attention how meticulously every detail has been taken into account with the young viewer in mind. The colours of the characters, the music and simple rhymes, the presenters persona's, basically a lot of work and consideration has gone into making these shows not just fun, entertaining for the viewer but educational too.
2) Moral of the story: The educational theme doesn't end with words and numbers but extends to teaching the viewers about basic morality. Shows such as Bing; a lovable rabbit with his minder flop as they learn something of moral value from a day's incident or Wooly & Tig; a little girl with her toy spider who comes to life to present a different view of an incident that brings her a better understanding of situation or Charlie & Lola; siblings who teach viewers through their relationship and rivalry how to turn situation around for the better, in all these shows the young viewer learns about interactions with others, friendships and basic rights & wrongs.
3) Responsibility: Shows like 'My pet and me' teaches the viewer about pets and responsibility even though the responsibility is mainly in regards to animals. It brings about compassion and understanding of animals in a fun, engaging manner. Apple tree house, Duggie and even Postman Pat are other brilliant show with a lot of lessons in taking responsibility.
4) Disability awareness: Again you get knowledge presented in most natural and inclusive way in regards to disabilities. Shows like 'Something special' not only teaches the young viewers about sign language but invites children with various disability to be part of the show and thus starts to familiarise the young viewers with disabilities in a positive way.
5) Caters for all: There is a balanced mixture of shows in the CBBC channel that allows a wider range of age groups to enjoy the channel. Some shows are more designed for the very young, the under 1s, whilst others are more for the older child. This mix makes it easier for households with children of various ages to be able to enjoy shows together.
6) Exercises & Outdoor Pursuits: This channel also excels at encouraging the young viewers to take on exercises and engage in outdoor pursuits. It makes the outdoors appealing and entertaining with shows like 'Here and There'; whereby Mr Bloom travels to visit children around the country and take part in whatever activities the want him to, or Justin's house; a live audience show with singing and dancing encourages the viewer to join in from the comfort of their home and 'Footy pups'; a show teaching children about football and rules of different games. We know that it has become difficult to get children to play outside as they are more likely to favour PlayStation than tree houses but these shows help in changing that view.
7) Learning new skills: Indeed it is not just learning of words, numbers or morals that this channel provide the young viewer but also real life skills. The show 'I can cook' is one such show that teaches the viewers cooking skills as well as general hygiene. The show, hosted by Katy, features a selected group of young participants but it is done in such a way that it encourages viewer participation. In a show such as this, it is not only the obvious skills that the viewers learn but also other skills like listening, following instructions, working with others, all of which are important skills in life.
8) Perfect Layout: One of the surprising things I found about CBBC channel is how cleverly the shows are slotted. The shows are arranged in a way that mirrors a young child's body clock! Basically the channel starts with a bright, upbeat Show me, Show me show and it follows up with more upbeat, energetic shows as the day goes by to lunchtime. The pace then slowly shifts as the afternoon passes and evening looms to more mellow, toned down shows in preparation for the young child's bedtime. I will tell you one thing, this clever layout is something I am certain all parents of young children are grateful for. The piece de resistance has to be 'In the night garden'. This show has helped my son sleep more than anything else we had previously tried and to me it is simply genius. The show closes the channel's broadcast for the day and rightly so as everything in it will do it's best to get your child into sleep mode. The light setting, the music, the sleepy characters all add to little yawns, eye scrubs signalling bedtime.
If CBBC did nothing else but 'In the night garden' I would have thought it worthy of acknowledgement because when you are a parent/guardian to under 1, who doesn't care much for sleep, this show feels like the holly grail. However, CBBC has done more than this brilliant finale and for that they absolutely deserve a medal. Long may this channel live!
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