Tags : Childhood, children, education, Fred Rogers, learning, LeVar Burton, Mister Rogers, Reading Rainbow, Seasme Street
An Ode to Childhood Lost
The future of intelligent children’s television programming just became significantly darker, and it truly saddens me – “Reading Rainbow”, a staple of both PBS and bright children nationwide, has been canceled after a wonderful run of 26 years.
I grew up, as a child of the late 80’s, with “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”, “Reading Rainbow”, and “Sesame Street”, all of which significantly influenced my life for the better, but only one remains. My childhood was full of thought, imagination, and mental stimulation – there was no “Dora the Explorer” or “Blue’s Clues” (neither of which even begin to compare), and “Barney and Friends” came a bit too late to be relevant.
It was through these three television programs, along with my parents, that my early-childhood intellectual interests were initially developed, quickly becoming a lifelong obsession with reading. I was often read to as a child, and always had an active (some might say overactive) imagination, but it was the efforts of Fred Rogers and LeVar Burton that helped to internalize reading and imagination as valued character traits.
“Mister Rogers’” was a program, shown on PBS for 31 years, devoted to teaching sharing with others, the importance of imagination, and assisted in defining the real world to entire generations of children through the use of fantasy lands, monologues, and colorful puppets. Through his half-hour interactions with his young audience, the beloved Fred Rogers managed to address difficult topics without appearing false, while also showing the clear demarcations between fantasy and reality. He encouraged the use of imagination in everyday life, and very clearly showed how it could be both enriching and entertaining – a powerful message for children who often feel a strong need to “be normal” and “fit in”.
Another PBS flagship program, “Reading Rainbow”, was similar in audience, but different in intent: where “Mister Rogers’” encouraged children to think and imagine, LeVar Burton was the voice for the pleasure of reading. Books were read on the program by celebrities, reviews were given by other children, library trips were encouraged, and relevant workplaces were featured – all with a heavy emphasis on not only reading, but reading for personal pleasure. Burton’s voice and presence was of a comforting, familiar nature, not altogether different from Fred Rogers’, and many children over its 26 year history came to see him as a relatable figure in their lives that told them reading was both fun and “cool”.
The death of Fred Rogers in 2003 was a sad experience that dredged up memories of early childhood I didn’t even know I had, and I discovered I was still fond of the man and his commitment to well-rounded children. The recent cancellation of “Reading Rainbow”, due to a lack of funding, is no different: I knew intellectually that the show existed no longer, but it was not until I heard LeVar on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” that I discovered how truly devastated I felt by the loss of such a cornerstone of my childhood.
While “Sesame Street” is more focused on learning, even in today’s watered-down version, “Reading Rainbow” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” were yesterday’s key to building a child’s interest in reading, fostering imagination, and encouraging children to be comfortable with themselves – a niche that has yet to be filled by other programs, and likely won’t be for some time. The discovery of reading for pleasure is something that should not be left to chance, nor should the fostering of imagination.
Books, as many readers quickly discover, have qualities that cannot be found in other mediums: for every mood, for every interest, for every purpose, books are there. Books have the ability to stir up emotions, build escapist fantasies, or inform, and they are always available – like a best friend that’s only around when you need or want them. Combined with the power of immersive imagination, the power of reading, at any level, can be a truly moving, personal, and influential experience.
It is truly sad that in an age dominated by both violent and mindnumbing entertainment, the fostering of children’s mental stimulation is no longer a central focus of attention. “Power Rangers”, “Pokemon”, and “Wizards of Waverly Place” absolutely do not inspire their viewers to greater heights, nor will such programs ever elicit higher-order behavior. The void left by the death of two of the most influential television programs in all of history, and the castration of their puppeteering brethren, will be felt for years to come – neither children nor parents may realize what is missing from their lives, but those of us who grew up with Mister Rogers asking “won’t you be my neighbor?” and LeVar Burton’s promise of “I’ll see you next time” will know.
The saddest, most emotionally catastrophic realization of all is that my children will never know “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” or “Reading Rainbow” – instead, they may grow up with colorful, singing, robot-fighting, Spanish-speaking dinosaur-based television shows that have no intellectual value.
Kyle Brady is a contributing columnist for the Inquisitr, an entrepreneur, and has a future in science fiction. He can be found at his blog, via email, or on Twitter.
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