Television Review: Barney & Friends
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this long-running,
very kid-friendly program promotes creative problem
solving, civic participation, group cooperation, and active
play. Music encourages children to join the characters in song
and dance. Preschoolers will benefit from its pro-social themes
and emphasis on active play.
Families can talk about the importance of empathizing with
others' needs in order to encourage children to play and
cooperate with others and to appreciate others' differences.
Certain episodes (such as one about a missing cat) can help
promote discussion about individual responsibility, coping with
loss, and the importance of community service.
BARNEY & FRIENDS is a well-loved veteran in children's television. In fact, you'd probably be hard-pressed to find a child who doesn't know the Barney theme song. Barney's world is set in a community playground where he and his friends dance, play, and learn about helping others in their neighborhood. While the show's set and cast of children have changed over the years, the core themes of the series remain.
Younger children will love Barney's colorful musical world. Every episode is filled with song and dance, and Barney really encourages little ones to get up and boogie along. Barney and his friends also love crafting and will likely inspire your child's creative side. Among all the fun, each episode is based on a pro-social theme such as respect, teamwork, and courtesy for others.
While Barney & Friends does offer quality entertainment for kids, parents should know that the show's songs have been criticized for being overly infectious and may wind up stuck in your head. And while preschoolers will love watching Barney's adventures, older kids may find the program's happy, sappy style a little too much. Nonetheless, Barney & Friends is a well-loved classic and will likely continue to delight preschoolers for years to come.
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