Children's Programming Considerations

"Between the dusk and the daylight,  When broadcasters step up their power,

Comes that magnificent shambles That is known as 'The Children's Hour'.

The wee ones huddle together,  In time for the evening scare

To chill their juvenile marrow And curl their innocent hair.

Then over the waves of ether,  To fill their sweet long dreams, 

Come tales of terror and torture And 17 kinds of screams"

(Stoddard King)

In children's programmes,  considerations relating to ethical,  moral and social ideas of life should build faith in democracy and unfaltering loyalty to the ideas of democratic living.

Occupational skills should be honestly and sincerely potrayed,  roles of minority groups and races treated equally and potrayed sympathetically and realistically. 

There must be authenticity in all historical and contemporary interpretations,  all factual in detail and portrayal.

Standards of good taste must be upheld throughout and crime must always be considered unsuitable as the dominant theme in any kind of children's programming.

Children's literature should form a major part of programming.

Too,  there are always considerations relating to the emotional,  intellectual and social development of children's personalities to be taken into account and these should arouse a wide range of emotional responses and at all times avoid any undue stress that might be occasioned through fear or aggression.

Children have a need for genuine characters of truly heroic proportions as well as a need for imaginary playmates and models to imitate and identify with.

In fantasy and fairy tale programmes,  the fantastic or purely imaginative elements should be clearly identifiable as unreal to the child.

Intrinsic interest,  maintenance of suspense and satisfactory resolution of suspense must be consistently observed in developement and social problems of childhood,  such as those involving friendships,  gang loyalties and respect for one's equals,  should be frequently and honestly potrayed, as too in the cases of family relationships and family problem situations and mutual respect and mutual understanding between parents and children must always be the goal.

The suggestive power of broadcasting should be utilised whenever possible to lead everyone towards useful hobbies,  skills,  interests,  activities and knowledge and humour that is within the comprehension and appreciation of children should be extensively employed.

Finally,  of considerations relating to showmanship and entertainment values in children's programming.

Special techniques should be used to trigger the child's visualisation of characters,  situations and actions.

Vocabulary and vocal inflections used must be clearly comprehended by the youngest of intended audiences.

Dialogue should not be undercut by over-narration of detail interrupting the imaginative processes by which the child lives the story.

Sound effects,  in order to be effective,  should represent things or situations which can be readily visualised by the average child and accompanying music should communicate and reflect emotions,  moods and feelings.

Broadcasters, Governments, Pros and Cons