What can we learn from the Teletubbies?

When I see my daughter’s fascination for the Teletubbies I realize that there must be something special with these characters. For you, who don’t know who the Teletubbies are I’ll tell you that it’s like a family with four colourful figures. You can see them on the picture above. This program is created for the BBC by the British psychologist Andrew Davenport. My daughter is no interested in other children’s programmes but in front of the Teletubbies she can spend several hours. What makes these characters so interesting for young children and is there anything to learn from them?

First, the most important part of the whole film is that it is founded of repetition. In fact, they say the same thing at least 2 or 3 times. This makes the children learn new words and it lays the foundations to good communication. When you, as a young child, have heard the word "hello" for the forth time it becomes easier for you to say it on your own. Nevertheless, I think that repetition is important for the purpose of creating a language. When I speak to my little daughter I often say the same words many times, without thinking about it. Everyday I tell her that "this is a lamp, a lamp". Suddenly she looks at me, point at the lamp and says: "Lamp!". What happiness in the heart of a mother!

Another important reason which makes this programme so special is that the whole story is on the children’s level. It deals with a lot of everyday activities like eating, singing, sleeping and so on. The Teletubbies speak with childish voices which make the children feel solidarity. The language is adapted to them and to their level of learning. Against this, there are people who think that you shouldn’t change your voice when you are speaking to a child, but I claim that it doesn’t matter. Sooner or later all children begin to speak as adults. Don’t you think so too?
Throughout the film there are a lot of colours which I think the children pay attention to. It is well-known that young children prefer colours to black and white. Every character in the film has its own colour and personality. Furthermore, the colours are also very typical for special things, the grass is very green, the sky is blue and the sun is yellow. There is a lot of learning just through this colourful world.

Finally, fantasy is mixed with reality which fascinate the children. Several times we can see a baby smiling and it makes my daughter smile too. This little baby is a young child just like her. In the film there are also some stories about real children who are playing, singing, running etc. This combination of a made up story and real life makes the film move forward and the children will never be bored. There is always something new and this change makes the whole story more interesting.

In other words, I think it is the combination of the colourful characters, their childish voices and the constant repetition, which makes the story so interesting for children. It is all about something on their level. My daughter never becomes tired of watching these films and she wants to watch them over and over again. The best of all is that I feel totally safe when she is doing it since I know that there will never be something scary. Instead, there are a lot of things to learn from this successful story about the Teletubbies.

Big brother is watching you

Nowadays it is usual with cameras in every corner of a town. The purpose of this is to supervise the citizens and protect them from terrorsim. Is it a good or bad idea?

First, The very thought of cameras everywhere may be frightening. I wish that it should not be necessary. The optimal would be to be able to trust people without watching over every step they take. But in today´s society when crime is on the increase I think that a camera is a good idea for the purpose of preventing more offences.

I feel the cameras like a security. When I´m walking along the street I feel more secure when I know that there are other people who can see me and keep watch over me. I think that it doesn´t matter that they can see every step I take because I have never done something illegal. Actually, there is nothing to care about, at all.

The most strange part of it all, is that the criminals often escape without any problems. They find a way out, no matter how many cameras there are. Today´s criminality is like a profession, they who do it manage it exellently. In reality, nothing can stop them all but perhaps there will be fewer. Some of them maybe dissapear from that business if they feel a little scared of being found.

On the contary, there are people who claim that they feel insecure in a society where cameras are watching everything you do. They think that it encroaches on their privacy and makes them feel shut in. They can´t do whatever they want, but I don´t really understand why, as long as they are legal.

To sum up, if I have to choose between a society in which crime every day becomes a bigger danger for my life or to have little privacy, I think that the cameras are really good. They protect us all and I claim that there is no other solution right now. We have to accept that this is the situation of today.

Grades in primary school

Nowadays, the children receive grades earlier and earlier. But why? Grades in primary school is not a good idea.

To learn new things, as a child, it is necessary with fun education which is not connected with demands and grades. It is all about children´s right to be children. When they take their first step into the school it is very important to treat them in a fun way. I think that the first impression influences them for several years ahead. The education has to be associated with joy. It is important to go there but it can also be very funny. Everyone does the best he or she can and if they all are treated equally they have bigger opportunity to reach success.

Furthermore, a young child who is still creating his/her own identity doesn´t really know where to belong. Grades in this age place the children into groups and give them a stamp to carry for a long time. I think that many of them find it quite difficult to get rid of it. In early ages they are not ready to be told that their achievement is not good enough. They can easily associate it with their personality and think that THEY are not good at all. Perhaps they will feel like outsiders since they think that their classmates are better ones.

To receive a bad grade is a thing which, likewise, can give the child bad self-confidence. As young learners it is important to feel that things they have done are good enough. They have to feel appreciation for their work. Otherwise, perhaps they will loose their self-confidence and it can be an obstacle to their development. They don´t dare to make a try because they are scared to fail once again. The consequents of the grades can be the very opposite of the idea.

The most important thing for a teacher is to note which ones of the pupils who seem to have some kind of problem and give them the support they are in need of, not to judge them with grades. On the contrary, some people claim that it is necessary with grades in primary school because then the children are able to get help earlier. In any way, I think that it is very important to notice them in early ages but grades will not be required. It is enough to watch them and see these ones who are in need of further support.

In short, I claim that grades can be an obstacle for learning. The system with grades in primary school can make the pupils loose their self-confidence and the education can´t very easily be associated with joy. I think it is a pity because, after all, the most important thing is to note the pupils who seem to have some kind of problem. For that reason it is not necessary with grades!

Climate change

Every day we watch the results of the destroyed environment. But many of us don´t do anything to change it. Why?

I think that one of the biggest problem in the world is that many people put themselves at first hand. It is a question about selfishness. We have a lot of things to do and how shall we get time to do something for other people and for the environment? There are many people which do the easiest thing for the moment without thinking of the consequences.

Another important part of it is money. Ecological products, which are good for the environment, are often quite expensive. Therefore, most people(me too) choose other alternatives although they are not that good. It is a pity but it is the truth. I think that if the ecological products would be cheaper there should be more people to buy them. Of course, it is more healthy to buy these products but as a student, like me, without a job it is impossible to afford it.

To do something about the environment destruction it is necessary that all people work together towards this goal. Of course, every little step from every people is important, but to change the environment of the world it will require more. It is clearly that many persons think that it doesn´t matter what they do. They think that it won´t change anything at all.

Many people go by car to work or for daily activities. I would like to go by train or bus instead but it is impossible in a small town as the town where I live. There is not any alternative, there are not buses or trains to catch in every corner. Often it is a long distance between different places in a city and it is impossible to walk everywhere. The result is that we go by car although it is worse for the environment. What else can we do?

In short, I think it is a question about economy and a little bit of laziness, we choose the easiest way. Slowly, we move forward to consciousness about the result of the things that we do. Every little step is an important step to a flourishing environment.

The fascination of a TV-series

I am sorry. First, I have to tell you that I have never been such a person who is spending a great part of life in front of the TV, watching films and TV-series.

And now, as a mother of a one year old girl, I haven´t time enough to do it. With such a young member in the family you never know how the day will look like. It is impossible to decide what to do in the evening because some nights she goes to bed very late and then I also have to sleep. Of course I watch TV sometimes when my daughter has fallen asleep, but then I prefer reality-programs which are close to me and to my life.

Above all, I like to watch programs about families and children. I like to see mothers and fathers who are doing everything for their children. These programs show a lot of love but also the problems which can occur in a family of today. They inspire me to do things with my daughter and they show me how to set limits to what is right and what is wrong. I like to see other mothers in the same situation as me; as a loving mother but with a lot of things to do. I have got useful knowledge from these programs, like supernanny etc.

Furthermore, I think it is very interesting to watch programs about families in an unusual situation, for example they who have twins or triplets. I watch them and I wonder how they have enough time to do things with their children. When I watch programs about families with sick children I feel thankful because I have got an healthy little daughter. When I wake up for the 15th time in the night with my girl crying, I think of those poor parents who are in hospital with their children. At the same time I hug my daughter and take her in my arms. It doesn´t matter that she doesn´t sleep very well, because she is the most wonderful girl in the world.

Those TV-programs have learnt me to appreciate the things I have. I have a daughter and I love her!

Childhood memories

First of all, I think it´s very important for a child to be given the right to play. Children need the right to be children, but it´s also necessary to learn a lot about real life.

Children of today watch violent tv-programs and films, and we have to be a part of it. As parents or teachers we have to talk with our children about what they see. We live in a world with much war and fighting and it´s unavoidable that the children see it. Most important of all is that we talk to them and discuss what persons they would like to be.

Even in early ages it´s important to learn how to share things with other persons, how to take care of each other and to show respect for everyone. Everybody is different and we have to accept each other for the one he/she is. To be self-confident you have to feel that it´s acceptable to be the one you are. You have to know it because then it´s much easier to avoid conflicts in school, at work...and above all, in real life. We all live in a social society and we must be able to co-operate with other people. This is something for teachers to teach in school.

Children of today, in this part of the world, often feel it hard to appreciate things they have. They want more, more and more all the time. Of course, this is a part of the adults´ life to. Everyone wants more. I think it´s a pity because we don´t really appreciate what we already have. I think of the children of yesterday and I´m sure that they had a lot of fun, although they just had a few toys. You should be greatful for the things you have instead of feeling sorry for the things you miss. It´s something we should talk with the children about. Perhaps it´s possible to discuss it during breakfast or dinner while we spend time with the family which is another important thing for all of us. I think it´s very good for everyone to feel that he/she belongs somewhere, especially for the children who are still creating their own identity.

In short; I think it´s important for a child to play and probably they learn a lot about real life while they´re playing. As adults we are responsible to teach them to be good persons who always do their best and who are acceptable for the one they are.

Give them your love and I´m sure you will succeed.