MUMBAI: Pre-school programming should be interactive and educative, according to a research conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofers India for kids channel Nickelodeon.

The results highlight the effects of television on children and especially on pre-schoolers.

The research also confirms the international premise underlying the pre-school block Nick JR. and it’s programming in the Indian context, and highlights the importance of having content designed specifically for the pre-school age group, that is two to three years old.

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The research indicates on the strong and lasting effects on the personalities of even very young children through television. The research also highlights the different effects of kids programming on diverse age group. Additionally, the research points out that healthy programming actually has a positive role to play in the overall development of a child. The research was conducted with child psychologists and educators.

Nick India, director-Business & Operations, Pradeep Hejmadi said, “This research shows that TV should not be used as a babysitting tool. Indian kids, much like their global counterparts, are extremely receptive, impressionable and intuitive even at the ages of two to three years than adults imagine them to be.”

According to the official communiqué, the respondents consisted of prominent psychologists and educators practicing with pre-schools in Mumbai and Bangalore. The feedback from the respondents revealed some key pointers for healthy pre-school programming. While these research results are available with Nick India, one important deduction is that pre-school programming should be about learning and interaction. Nick JR shows like Dora The Explorer and Blue’s Clues with their highly interactive nature encourage viewers to help them solve puzzles.

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The show Dora teaches children the way to observe situations and solve problems as they explore the world with her, informs the company release. A consulting psychologist from Mumbai, Dr. Harshida Pandit felt, “it depicts day-to-day events beautifully and at the same time educates with concrete objects, teaching a variety of concepts like heavy-light and up-down through illustrations.” As in case of the show Blues Clues, Blue is an energetic bright blue puppy, who along with the host Joe, take the viewer through various puzzles.

Commenting on the show, Dr Pandit adds, “I enjoyed it! The indirect way of educating is something I noticed as an undercurrent. Blending with nice scenery, music and appropriate cartoon characters indicates a clever approach.”

Speaking on the current rise in crime by children and teens, the research concludes that that pre-school programmes should send out positive messages. The shows citied that were seen to send out positive messages with their non-violent and positive themes include Nicktoons, Barney & Friends, Teletubbies, Full House and Anupam Kher’s Kuch Kahna Hai, informs the official communiqué. The research adds that young child should watch TV under the supervision of their parents.

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Hejmadi adds, “Children’s minds grow very fast and the differences between pre-schoolers and older kids is extremely significant. These findings only confirm our belief that in India, as is the case globally, there is a strong need for programming like Nick JR. to address such differences.”