Now, now. I know that TV is not healthy for children.
But come to think of it, after watching the limited children programs on TV - it hit me that I miss Japanese children TV show. Other than
missing all the IQ-enhancing variety shows, of course.
And after meeting Dr Priya, it hit me that some segments in Japanese TV shows actually promote development of fine motor skills in young children. Seriously!
One may think of them as the Japanized version of Sesame Street or Teletubbies. More toward Teletubbies - but with some points for the parents who watch those shows with their children. Right now, for comparison basis, I can't think of any locally produced children program aiming for infants and toddlers in Malaysia. (Is there any?)
In Japan, programs like
Inai Inai Baa (peek-a-boo in nihonggo) and
Okaasan to Issho (With Mother) are huge hits with young children. And not just among Nihonjin children - even Huzaifah and Humaidi seemed to enjoy them tremendously.
Well, it might seem like there are lots of gibberish, dances and gymnastic exercises (part of educating the children to be fitter and to improve their ability to concentrate) - but there are also segments which show 'accomplishments' by young children.
Among such accomplishments are 3-4 year old children shown putting on pyjama on their own, or brushing their own teeth or using the toilet on their own.
The featured boy or girl would introduce themselves - stating their name and their age.
Then proceeded to do what they claim they could -
putting on the pyjama - both the pants and the shirt up until buttoning the last button;
or brushing their teeth vigorously then proceeded by letting the mother giving final touches in hard-to-reach area;
or an innocent view of them using the seat toilet and letting the mother know that they had passed motion;
All which will be congratulated warmly by the respective mother...
No, these segments do not feature 'celebrity' kids - just normal, girl/boy-next-door kids.
And yes - it kind of encourage the young viewers to try or at least imitate what they see their peers accomplished on TV.
As for physical exercise, Huzaifah would always dance excitedly as Yoshi oniichan sang "Pawa! Pawa! Pawa! Paawa!" and imitate walking in a circle (with the rest of the crew as shown on TV) when the song "Supurappi Supurappa" came at the end of
Okaasan to Issho. And I think it's easier for him to learn how to brush his teeth because he has seen it being done by toddlers numerous time on TV.
Then, there's the all-time family favorite,
Pitagora Suichi. Or even Pitagora Suichi Mini.
The show would show some
Rube Goldberg machine in motion - that fascinate even the most hyperactive of children. Seriously! Huzaifah could stop and watch Pitagora Suichi for ages, notwithstanding the fact that he usually is on the go, on the go, on the go.
I like Today's Topic segment - it will show two young penguins, Pita and Gora, playing with something and then become puzzled by some concept of science. Along came Hyakka Ojiisan (Mr Encyclopaedia?) to explain the concept to them. He would say that "The details are written on my page xx," but Pita and Gora would reply, "We're children so we can't read!" So they would call in Terebi no Jon (TV John?) to explain the story on his screen. And the science concept shown on Terebi no Jon are concise, precise and easily understood by kids. Nicely done! I've seen something like this on TV9's "Pondok Pondok" recently - but it was more straightforward compared to using Terebi no Jon...
Then, there's the Arugorizumu Taiso (Algorithm Exercise) involving 2-person exercise while they simultaneously sing a song. Huzaifah simply loved the rolling hand part of "grun grun grun grun grun grun guuruun guuruun"
There's also the Arugorizumu Koushin (
Algorithm March) - which has become a phenomenal fad all over the world. We've seen the march being performed by a vast categories of people on YouTube - from prisoners in a Philippines prison to smartly dressed office workers in a public area in Europe. Yes, it's fun and funny at the same time, so no wonder it became a huge fad.
Anyway - the main point is - I miss TV shows specifically targeting really young audience.
apart from missing Japan every now and then, oh well...It will be really cool if someone could produce an Islamic children program aiming for really young kids locally.
I mean, they can for example show a 3 year old putting on the pyjama followed by reciting the do'a before one goes to sleep.
Or a 3 year old to recite the do'a before entering/after exiting the toilet plus waring a head covering piece while using the toilet.
Or simply jumping and doing rhythm exercise while chanting simple zikir or selawat.
I mean - instead of jumping and holding up their hands while singing "Pawa! Pawa! Pawa! Paawa!", they could be jumping and holding up their hands while chanting "Allah Allah Allahu Akbar!" or something along that line...
How cool is that, huh?
