Thanks to my new friends at Fatherly for their latest post entitled, “The Creator of ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ on Keeping Fred Rogers’s Message Going”.
I sat down last week to speak with Fatherly’s Carlos Mejia about perspective, inspiration and the value of Public Broadcasting. Fatherly is a “parenting resource for men who understand that embracing what they’ve become doesn’t mean giving up who they are.” Enjoy!
Our first (animated) baby turned 20 this year and it honestly feels like yesterday that a puppy named Blue was introduced to Steve for the very first time! So with Blue’s Clues now 20 and Nick Animation turning 25, how could I not sit down with Nickelodeon Animation Podcast’s Hector Navarro (@Hectorisfunny) to discuss the origins of Blue’s Clues and what made it stand out from the pack for such a period of time?!
While it’s true that our firsts are forever ingrained in our headspace, Blue, Salt, Pepper, Mailbox, Paprika, Tickety and the rest of the Blue’s Clues family will forever take up a little spot in my heart, regardless of their 2-Dimensionality. And of course my BFF & co-creator, Traci Paige Johnson, joined us for our 40 minute talk below:
While Blue’s Clues changed the way kids interact with television, it changed the way I viewed the power of a medium that many gave little respect to.
Lord knows, my other kids (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Super Why!, Creative Galaxy, Wishenpoof etc.) would have never been created without their older sibling teaching me, and many others, a lesson or two.
Special thanks to Hector Navarro at The Nickelodeon Animation Podcast for being such an amazing host on this podcast!
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Just in time, towards the end of our presidential election, our Wishenpoof Music Videos debuted this week, and as the lyrics state,
“It all comes down to me, to be the best person that I can be. I need to…Believe in Me.”
It dawned on me today that these lyrics underscore my entire career and why I create positive media for kids. I want to give them the skills and the encouragement to change the world, and nourish them against the bad modeling that surrounds them on a daily basis, that goes beyond election time.
Last week, The American Academy of Pediatrics, retracted it’s guidelines for toddlers & screen time saying it’s all about content, context and co-viewing. The idea that the “interaction” of live video chat has a potentially positive effect even on babies, plays to my strength in the value of creating media that actively involves the home viewer to think along, sing-along, learn-along and master the skills we put on the screen. If babies are benefiting from this type of interaction, imagine what we are doing for older kids when we create media that is specifically for them, that asks them to play along? In fact, according to Linebarger and Walker (“Infants’ and Toddlers’ Television Viewing and Language Outcomes”, 2005), “The recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (1999) urging parents to avoid TV for children younger than 2 years old may be premature. The authors go on to state not only do these results further provide evidence that “television matters” (e.g., Anderson et al., 2001; Wright et al., 2001), it’s the interactive format that is the tipping point. Formats such as “speaking directly to the viewer, providing opportunities to respond, and using and defining vocabulary words”. The interactive and participatory nature of all my shows, starting in 1996 with “Blue’s Clues” (Nick Jr), where Steve or Joe speak directly to the child were positively related to “expressive language production and vocabulary”, according to Linebarger. Another Blue’s Clues study by my mentor, Dr. Dan Anderson, et al, has purported that regular viewers of Blue’s Clues benefit from a strengthened cognitive development, Anderson states, “Blue’s Clues doesn’t only do well, but does good.”
By now, we can’t argue that kids do, in fact, learn from media, good and bad. As the AAP states, it is all about content. What we need to look for is the type of content that has the intent to teach – kind of like looking for “organic produce” or checking the labels of food to see what is exactly in there. If you could “check the labels” of media, we want to look for the shows that are founded in curriculum, that does research, that understands what is put on the screen has enormous impact on the brains of the next generation. I guess because I’m such a research nerd, I’m more proud of the research and learning that has come out of each of my shows than the Peabody wins or Emmy nominations. Super Why, our long running PBS Kids show is grounded in what the National Reading Panel deems critical to reading success, and has thus been proven to teach kids to read. The Annenberg study, which was headed by Deborah L. Linebarger, Ph.D., Director of the Annenberg Children’s Media Lab, determined whether young viewers learned the key early literacy content in the show, such as letter names and sounds, rhyming, and matching spoken words to print and whether they applied their learning in their daily lives. Dr. Linebarger has said, “The format of Super Why! provides kids with an engaging platform that fosters literacy skills, resulting in learning the content featured in the program as well as applying that content to other contexts.”
New research out of University of Texas has come out to support that Daniel Tiger (PBS KIDS) “America’s favorite tiger” helps kids with social emotional skills, social cues and problem solving strategies with our very sticky musical jingles (come on, I know you know our potty song!). In addition, as mentioned in the AAP report today, co-viewing is also important. Anecdotally we have heard about these results for a long time, as documented in the New York Times, Motherlode column in 2015, “Daniel Tiger Becomes a Boy with Autism’s Guide to Social Life” as well in our own formative research.
But most importantly, in terms of combining the big three – content, context and co-viewing, how can we, as parents, use media to help our kids understand the world and fare better as adults in it? This is what keeps me up at night. In light of the negative modeling of this election, I for one, want all kids to master positive executive functioning skills – among them, how to get along in the world, be empathetic, take other’s perspectives, be kind, fair, smart and ultimately, “be good people.” Wishenpoof (Amazon Kids, is created to give kids life skills through the stories on the show and through big beautiful, empowering anthems (as cited above with the new “Believe in Me” video). Incorporating Ellen Galinsky’s Mind in the Making, 7 Essential Skills, the life skills that every child needs, according to Lisa Belkin of Motherlode in 2010.
I personally, want kids to grow up believing in themselves, and believing that what they say matters and how their voice can actually change the world. That’s why each of my shows has been interactive – – our characters are listening, and care what kids have to say. I want to motivate kids, give them a sense of self worth, and give them a voice.
I’d love to hear from you on this below or via Facebook. What traits would you like your child to acquire & do you think the media they’re digesting will assist them in this process. Hmm?
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Just in time, towards the end of our presidential election, the first Wishenpoof Music Video debuted this week, and as the lyrics state,
“It all comes down to me, to be the best person that I can be. I need to…Believe in Me.”
It dawned on me today that these lyrics underscore my entire career and why I create positive media for kids. I want to give them the skills and the encouragement to change the world, and nourish them against the bad modeling that surrounds them on a daily basis, that goes beyond election time.
Last week, The American Academy of Pediatrics, retracted it’s guidelines for toddlers & screen time saying it’s all about content, context and co-viewing. The idea that the “interaction” of live video chat has a potentially positive effect even on babies, plays to my strength in the value of creating media that actively involves the home viewer to think along, sing-along, learn-along and master the skills we put on the screen. If babies are benefiting from this type of interaction, imagine what we are doing for older kids when we create media that is specifically for them, that asks them to play along? In fact, according to Linebarger and Walker (“Infants’ and Toddlers’ Television Viewing and Language Outcomes”, 2005), “The recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (1999) urging parents to avoid TV for children younger than 2 years old may be premature. The authors go on to state not only do these results further provide evidence that “television matters” (e.g., Anderson et al., 2001; Wright et al., 2001), it’s the interactive format that is the tipping point. Formats such as “speaking directly to the viewer, providing opportunities to respond, and using and defining vocabulary words”. The interactive and participatory nature of all my shows, starting in 1996 with “Blue’s Clues” (Nick Jr), where Steve or Joe speak directly to the child were positively related to “expressive language production and vocabulary”, according to Linebarger. Another Blue’s Clues study by my mentor, Dr. Dan Anderson, et al, has purported that regular viewers of Blue’s Clues benefit from a strengthened cognitive development, Anderson states, “Blue’s Clues doesn’t only do well, but does good.”
By now, we can’t argue that kids do, in fact, learn from media, good and bad. As the AAP states, it is all about content. What we need to look for is the type of content that has the intent to teach – kind of like looking for “organic produce” or checking the labels of food to see what is exactly in there. If you could “check the labels” of media, we want to look for the shows that are founded in curriculum, that does research, that understands what is put on the screen has enormous impact on the brains of the next generation. I guess because I’m such a research nerd, I’m more proud of the research and learning that has come out of each of my shows than the Peabody wins or Emmy nominations. Super Why, our long running PBS Kids show is grounded in what the National Reading Panel deems critical to reading success, and has thus been proven to teach kids to read. The Annenberg study, which was headed by Deborah L. Linebarger, Ph.D., Director of the Annenberg Children’s Media Lab, determined whether young viewers learned the key early literacy content in the show, such as letter names and sounds, rhyming, and matching spoken words to print and whether they applied their learning in their daily lives. Dr. Linebarger has said, “The format of Super Why! provides kids with an engaging platform that fosters literacy skills, resulting in learning the content featured in the program as well as applying that content to other contexts.”
Today I heard from an old friend..Blue’s Clues’ SIDE TABLE DRAWER, also known as Aleisha LaNae’ Allen, M.S.!!
Throughout the years in kids’ media, we’re involved in so many interactions with actors, artists and all types of creatives. But when you reconnect with them down the road, and see where their lives have taken them..there’s nothing better!
Here’s a kind note from Aleisha, who has apparently moved on from simply holding Steve/Joe’s notebook.
Hello Angela,
My name is Aleisha L. Allen; I was the voice of Side Table Drawer for the Blue’s Clues Series! I hope all is well!
I wanted to reach out to you because I graduated from Teachers College (Columbia University) this past May with an M.S. in Communication Science and Disorders (CSD)- Speech Language Pathology. Shortly after, I found out that you, too, attended TC! Similarly, we both studied subjects regarding Childhood Development!
It was such a pleasure to be THE Side Table Drawer and always be there for Steve when he needed his “Handy Dandy Notebook”. It was one of my first reccurring roles, and one that is my favorite, as well as the favorite of so many. So, I owe you a HUGE “Thank You!”.
As a recent graduate, I am aiming to resume my acting, particularly voice overs, as well as culminate what I’ve learned about Childhood Language Development and talents to be innovative! The goal with having my degree is to bridge both of my careers in order to provide effective services for individuals with communication disorders.
Again, thank you so much. Congratulations on your successes and innovations, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Best Always!
Aleisha
Thanks so very much, for taking the time to reach out and say “Hi”, my friend, Side Table Drawer
xo
Angela
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“How Do You Make a Hit Children’s Show?” is the question I typically hear from parents, students, artists and writers as I meet them for the first time. While everyone’s got their own system to create educational media for children, I shared mine this week at The 4th Annual International Children’s Media Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, via live stream.
I was excited to journey outside my typical neighborhood with this project because a key to a better tomorrow lies within the education and happiness of children, on a global scale.
During the talk, I mentioned the importance of understanding one’s vision and the necessity of creating aspirational characters. Using Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Super Why!, Creative Galaxy & Wishenpoof as tangible examples of how I implemented such features, I explained their characters’ development and how each show’s curriculum helped to enhance their stories. I typically allude to the secret sauce and timing when discussing my projects, which are both imperative to a “Hit Children’s Show”.
Special thanks to Hatice Şehime ÖZÜTLER (TRT Çocuk) for inviting me to share, amidst an educated panel, for this special project.
I really wish I could tell you that I break into song every time the mail arrives just like Steve/Joe from Blue’s Clues does. But well, I don’t.
I’d love to say that when one of my daughters has a problem, my usual response is to cheerfully chant, “When you have a problem, we look…in a book!” just like my characters from Super Why. But no, I don’t do that either.
So, what do I do? And what have I learned from writing hundreds of preschool episodes for television?
Singing helps.
Seriously. Singing anything. We even sing when the mail comes on Blue’s Clues. Because, well..mail is exciting when you are four! And truthfully, most mail is exciting. It’s like a little surprise present. Singing about it makes it celebratory.
So why not sing about other things? Sing when we are cleaning up, which preschool teachers have been doing forever! Sing when we are sad (Hello, Taylor Swift?). Sing when we are excited (“I’m so excited! And I just can’t hide it!”). Sing when things don’t go our way (“You Can’t Always Get What you Want”).
Feel free to belt out a tune today. Just watch how it helps!
A cornucopia of thanks to all of you that give Daniel Tiger, Super Why, Blue and the rest of our imaginary characters an open door policy into your home.
There isn’t a day that we take your trust for granted and we’re proud to meet the challenges of bettering the lives of children across the globe.
I can’t begin to explain how grateful we are for our 36 million video streams per month!
While high ratings and streams aren’t frowned upon around here, it’s truly because they serve as a testament that parents yearn for quality, “good for you” programming for their children.
For many of us, such positive reviews help make the labor and the difficulties of work, take a backseat.
I recently talked to Seattle’s GeekWire boys, Todd Bishop & John Cook, about Creative Galaxy (Amazon Prime Video). They had some interesting questions about the unique, non-broadcast process and what makes the world of Creative Galaxyinspire a love of arts and creativity within children.
In an age that unfortunately contains more than our fair share of sub par content and an abuse/overuse of technology, we cut through the clutter during this GeekWire podcast segment and dive right into how we can properly embrace and utilize new media for our kids development and enjoyment. And yes, you’ll find a shout out or two for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhoodand Blue’s Clues
Click below to enjoy the show & let me know if you have any questions please.
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Lord knows, my other kids (
The interactive and participatory nature of all my shows, starting in 1996 with “
Sincere gratitude to NPR, in particular
