My children are enthusiastic fans of public television, soaking up a wealth of impressive knowledge, from the astonishing speed of avalanches (up to 80 miles per hour) to the scientific explanation of why the sky appears blue—thanks to light filtering through our atmosphere. They also grasp fundamental math, like how 4 plus 3 equals 7, alongside the basics of colors and shapes.
However, the daily dose of puppets and animated characters imparting lessons about sharing and good manners may not adequately prepare them for the realities of life. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if public television introduced a series that offered practical life skills? I’m not just referring to virtues like patience; I mean critical lessons such as “never approach a sleeping bear.”
Let’s expand this idea beyond just wildlife encounters. Here are 20 essential lessons that could benefit our kids:
- Always knock before entering your parents’ bedroom.
- The same rule applies to bathrooms.
- Chasing the dog with a spatula while making siren noises is frowned upon.
- Sneaking your dinner to the dog under the table is also not acceptable.
- Bath water is safe—despite your suspicions.
- The couch is not an arena for ninja training.
- Girls don’t appreciate being hit with sticks or called silly names.
- Chewing gum should never be stuck to the underside of furniture.
- And eating the gum you stuck under the chair is a big no-no!
- We do not play Fruit Ninja in real life with actual knives and bananas.
- Those organic bananas were quite expensive, too!
- If you step in dog waste, take your shoes off before entering the house.
- A whole roll of toilet paper is not meant to be flushed.
- You cannot call your sibling derogatory names, regardless of your feelings.
- If hitting is forbidden, booger wiping is not a valid alternative.
- Proper handwashing requires both soap and water—not just water or a whole bottle of soap.
- Washable markers should not be used to color walls, floors, or yourself.
- If you hit another child with a plastic sword, expect retaliation.
- When we say to “use your words,” we don’t mean throwing a tantrum.
- If you make a mess and ignore it after multiple reminders, your parent will likely have a very strong reaction.
Perhaps public television could enhance the entertainment value for parents by featuring characters like Daniel Tiger facing real consequences for bad behavior, or having Abby Cadabby’s magic backfire, turning her into a houseplant. There are numerous creative ways public television could help reinforce the idea that bad behavior has real-world repercussions.
For more on parenting topics, check out this post about home insemination kits. You can also explore this authoritative resource for more information. Additionally, for a comprehensive understanding of artificial insemination, Wikipedia offers excellent insights.
In summary, public television has a unique opportunity to go beyond academic lessons and provide children with essential life skills that prepare them for the challenges of the real world.
Leave a Reply