From Wickie, the Viking to Pokémon: some children's programmes remain popular for years. But what makes a good children's programme? Professor of media education Peter Nikken from the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication explains this in an interview with nu.nl.
According to Nikken, the secret of a good children's programme is not very complicated: "Know your audience". He explains that predictability can do no harm, as long as the subject connects to the children's perception of the world. "Children find it important that the story is told according to a certain pattern. There must be a clear structure so that you know how it ends and which way it goes."
"Children pick up on exemplary behaviour from their parents"
It is important that parents of children watch the programme with them. "The presence of parents makes children pay better attention and absorb information better. And if the parents can explain and comment, children also pick up on their parents' exemplary behaviour," says Nikken.
Scary is not bad
Nikken explains that children find excitement important: "But it should not go too far. Even children in secondary school, who know it's not real, can lie awake thinking about things they can imagine that could happen. Something that goes too far makes children more anxious."
From Kindernet to YouTube
Since the arrival of YouTube, many programmes can now be watched on-demand. There is a lot of offer, but some children's programmes have eternal value," says Nikken. "They are craftsmanship and fit in with what children find important and experience. So don't be surprised if your child suddenly looks up your childhood sentiment online, because some children's series have eternal value."
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Read the entire interview of nu.nl here
