Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is unquestionably one of PBS Kids most important shows on the network. Since 2012, it has tackled the tough topics that surround differences in order to help support families with these conversations. In an upcoming episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the new episode will encourage kids to embrace differences more than before.
The question raised, “Why doesn’t anyone here look like me?” is addressed in the new episode, which will air on January 10th.
“It was important to us to help children know that it isn’t just on them or on one person to do something to show they care as that puts too much responsibility on a child,” said supervising producer Christopher Loggins in a recent interview with Parent’s Kindred. “When we work together, we can create positive change.”
Loggins and his team said that after extensive research that they found that their target audience, children ages two-to-four-years-old recognize when something isn’t fair. By making an effort to address these issues at such a young age, it will unquestionably help to bring about change where as, if adults wait much longer to weigh-in, opinions, whether true or false, are already set.
“By the time children reach age 10 or 11, their attitudes about race can become solidified,” Aisha White, Director of The P.R.I.D.E. Program at the University of Pittsburgh, said in the same interview. “Children of all races start to prefer white around age three, and once they move to ages four and five, they can not only prefer white but begin to develop negative attitudes toward Black people and others of color.”
She continued, stating that viewers of the upcoming episode should “regularly notice, question, discuss, and celebrate differences.”
So, just what can parents and kids expect from the upcoming season six episode, “Miss Elaina’s Bandage”? Well, according to Parents.com, here is a brief synopsis below.
In episode 606, Miss Elaina who is the only Black child in Daniel’s classroom, struggles to find a bandage that matches her skin tone. Viewers also witness Miss Elaina’s mother, who is white, actively creating new bandage shades, so her daughter has the representation she deserves. The song that follows, “When we see something that isn’t fair, we can do something to show we care,” seems to speak to the importance of community support.
If you want to learn more about Daniel Tiger and his neighborhood, PBS has dedicated an entire website to the little tiger and his friends where visitors can play games, watch videos, interact and more. There is even a section for parents too!
Make sure to tune-in to this amazing upcoming episode on January 10th. Loggins and his team are definitely getting it right!
Photo Credit(s)/Featured Image: Photo Credit: Fred Rogers Production (PBS Kids/Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)
