Why Parents Are Embracing Slower, ‘Wholesome’ ’90s Kids’ TV
By Movieguide® Contributor
More and more parents are turning to ’90s and ’00s TV in an effort to keep their kids from getting overstimulated by today’s kids’ content — and the experts agree with this decision.
“Having the TV up on the wall and away from prying fingers — and [programming] with wholesome storylines, the way it ‘used to be’ — is best for child development,” Stephanie O’Dea, author of Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World, told Parents.com.
She continued, “One of the educational milestones for kindergarten readiness is the ability to sit quietly on the carpet and listen to a 10-minute story. Fast images and shortened storylines are not appropriate for developing brains.”
Shows like FRANKLIN, LITTLE BEAR and ARTHUR are good examples, featuring educational plots, softer colors and a slower pace.
Caitlin Slavens, a psychologist at MamaPsychologists, explained that the fast, loud, brightly-colored shows being marketed towards kids today can negatively impact their brain development, leading to increased irritability, restlessness and overstimulation.
“This shift towards old school TV demonstrates that slowed-down, more deliberate storytelling helps with emotional regulation,” she said. “It’s also a reminder that screen time isn’t just [about] what kids watch but how it affects them.”
READ MORE: WHAT IS THE ‘SLOW TV’ MOVEMENT? EVERYTHING PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
Parents are sharing the change they’ve seen in their own children after switching up their viewing habits.
“As I started introducing some of my childhood shows to my toddler I noticed he enjoyed them, but didn’t *need* them,” Lauren Isler, the mother behind family influencer Instagram page MamasAndMesses, posted online. “We’d watch an episode or two and when it was time to turn it off he didn’t fight me or get upset, he just went back to playing!”
She continued, “Possibly the biggest thing I noticed was a change in his sleep! He was sleeping longer and better! A lot of 90’s childhood shows have lower stimulation than today’s shows & movies. I also love the messages and creative exploration a lot of 90’s shows teach children. Don’t get me wrong, we still watch some BLUEY, MS RACHEL, and Disney movies, but this little change has shown us positive outcomes in his sleep and behavior.”
In an interview with BuzzFeed, Isler talked more about the values she likes in older TV shows.
“I feel like shows from the ’90s were so wholesome and lighthearted,” she explained. “They taught kids how to be good humans, which is my biggest goal as a parent. More than being smart or athletic, I want my kids to know they are loved, and I think ’90s shows help enforce that.”
READ MORE: HERE’S WHY PARENTS ARE EMBRACING THE ‘SLOW TV’ MOVEMENT
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