Quote Originally Posted by beachguy in thongs
Kids are not going to learn, and retain much, when there are commercials. My first-born's mother doesn't realize these things, and, I saw my daughter's facial expression change when it cut to a commercial. I'd rather have Nick Jr. on, and have her finish the story, then see Moose A. Moose and "Move To The Music".

Visually, the colors on Nick Jr. and Disney Jr. are softer and they speak slower. In Spongebob, there are so many negative-terms and sequences of conflict. I cannot believe the violence those "cartoons" condone.
I would say that the violence in things like Spongebob doesn't even compare to that of Tom and Jerry, Popeye or Elmer Fudd... and I'm not even addressing the racism that showed up in the older cartoons. That said, we really have to remember that cartoons were developed for two audiences - kids and adults. - and for entertainment, not education. They often found a way to blend a message for both groups. There were thinks that would appear in the cartoon that the kids would never understand (Scooby Doo, for example) but still needed to retain the younger eyes for ratings... If they must watch TV it's Nick Jr. for me.

You bring up a great point about the commercials, which is part of the reason why Sesame Street retained the audience. There are a score of other reasons, but that is one. The marketing research that went into that show during development was amazing and really is worth looking into if we are talking about education of youth.

That said, I feel that if we want our children to learn/grow we must be involved in their lives. We must be active participants and not expect a TV show to replace the hands on experience we add.