Daniel Tiger (the replacement for Mr. Rogers) on PBS Kids was playing in our house the other day, and it was an episode teaching children what they should do when they get upset. They always have a cute little song to go along with the lesson they are teaching the children, which helps kids remember. We actually use many of the songs around the house daily:

I often sing “If a friend doesn’t want to play with you, you can find something else to do” when the twins are fighting that the other won’t play their game.

Or “It’s almost time to go, so choose one more thing to do. That was fun but now it’s done” when we’re ready to leave the pool, park, library, etc. It actually helps, and they don’t throw a fit about leaving!

“If you can’t do it alone, work together” and “You gotta try new food cuz it might taste good” are also a couple that top the list. Overall I would say they have some great lessons. I even sing some of the songs to my second graders when the circumstance fits the song’s lesson.

This lesson, however, was disturbing. What do you think?

I often wonder where children learn some of their bad behaviors. After seeing this, I feel like cartoons teach them these awful behaviors in an attempt to teach them how to behave in an alternate, more appropriate manner. However, which behavior is the child going to remember the most? What do you think about this?