Children’s media is constantly
changing. Many of us have used up all our regular options, from Disney’s memory
lane to teen likes that feel a bit much for younger siblings.
Reviewed, a team of
product experts that review a variety of items for the USA Today Network,
recently released a series of eight favorite ways of demonstrating the benefits
of diversity that you may not have been thinking about.
“When children watch a
television show depicting different races, ethnicities, or lifestyles, they
have an opportunity to see that all people are capable of and interested in all
kinds of different things,” Gina Dearing. Dearing is a parental and family
coach with a background in social work and early childhood education. She is
quoted about the importance of exposing kids to diversity in children's media.
“These are important lessons
to teach our kids and it's vital that we have conversations in our homes around
such subjects,” says Dearing. The
article suggests eight children's TV shows that highlight diversity, which they
also claim to be fun and engaging.
READ MORE: That's Right, I Let My Kid Watch TV
What’s on the list?
At number one is Molly of Denali from PBS Kids, great for the 4-8 crowd looking to follow the
experiences of 10-year-old Native Alaskan Molly Mabrey. Molly who vlogs about
her adventures with nature, her friends Tooey and Trini, and the trading post
run by her family.
Second on the list is Disney
Jr.’s Mira, Royal Detective about a young girl appointed to the role of
Royal Detective by an Indian queen. She has two mongoose sidekicks, Mikku and
Chikku, and travels through 19th century India. It is aimed at the 5-8-year-old
crowd.
Number three is The Casagrandes, from Nickelodeon. Set in an apartment complex in the fictional
Great Lakes City, the comedy follows a multi-generational Mexican-American
family living and working together. It’s aimed for 7 to 10-year olds.
Fourth on the list is Motown Magic, a Netflix animation for the 3 to 5-year-old crew that uses classic
Motown songs as its soundtrack and is made up of individual 11-minute segments,
all produced by music legend Smokey Robinson, with contemporary artists
performing the songs.
At five
comes Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, another show from PBS Kids,
this time for those 4 to 7. This one
follows young Xavier Riddle, his sister Yadina, and their friend Brad, as they
enter a secret portal to the exciting world of history, all of it more diverse
than many of us learned in the past.
Number 6
is Cartoon Network’s Craig of the Creek, for 7-10 year olds, about a
group of kids who claim independence hanging out by a creek each day and
sharing stories and adventures.
The
seventh spot is taken up by Diary of a Future President, from Disney+,
for the ten and up crowd. “She's going to save the world—but first she has to
finish middle school,” reads the tag line for this live action series about
Elena, a 12-year-old Cuban American who’s shown, in flash-forwards , of her
success highlighting themes of diversity and inclusion as a candidate.
Finally,
there’s Sesame Street. Need we say more?