Children and Television
Many people believe that watching television can cause a negative on childrens learning, including academic and social.
'Children who watch considerable amounts of television mat come to believe more and more in the necessity for using illgal and violent methods n order to succeed., (Howe, M.pg35)
'Parents educators, and mental health workers are concerned about television's effects on the cognitive development of children, and especially there imaginative and creative capacities.' (G. Berry, J. Asamen, pg 75).
However, I believe that television only has a negative impact on children when they are watching programmes that do not engage them and do not require to them to think for themselves, and in actual fact that if watching programmes that question the audience and makes them think this could actually help them learn basic social and academic skills.
'TV Can Be Good For Kids' (http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/healthytvhabits/a/tvgoodforkids.htm)
This article backs up my theory on television being good for children and allows me to see that my programme will benefit the viewers learning through the crafts made on the show. However, it also adds that television can motivate children to try new activities as well as allowing them to see thing they would not normally get the chance to see. Therefore, I should incorporate this idea into my own television show by trying to film activities that the viewers would not normally be able to experience and this will then perhaps inspire them to try these new activities as well as being inspired by the crafts that are made on the show. As well as this, the article also goes on to say that television programmes with a fun, friendly presenter gives the viewer a positive role model, therefore, it is very important that I choose a presenter that fits this criteria for my own show to encourage the viewers parents to allow their children to watch the programme.
'Why Art Is Important For Young Children' - http://www.education.com/reference/article/art-important-young-children/
This article focuses more on how art can help young children to learn both socially and academically. As in the above article 'TV Can Be Good For Kids', this article also agrees that by letting children be creative it allows them to see that learning can be fun and exciting and therefore making them more eager to learn. As well as this they also state that art can create a positive affect on children's behaviour socially them to express their emotions in a calm and safe environment as well as helping them with communicating with others trough explaining their ideas and what inspires them.
'D.Salomon (1981) suggests that if children where directed to watch television for its content, the would indeed benefit from some of the information imparted by the medium. Using the measure AMIE - for amount of invested mental effort- Salomon found that children who where directed to give their full attention to the material presented on TV did better than on posttests related to the particular programming than children who were not given instructions to direct their full attention to the material being presented on TV.' (G. Berry, J. Asamen, pg 77).
what this means..how related to my show
'Some childrens programmes are manufactured simply entertain, while others are designed with a clear intention to instruct the young, but many, perhaps the majority of those shown on British television, are intended to combine entertainment and educational functions.' (Howe, M. pg107)
'About thirty-one percent of the children chose watching television as their most enjoyed activity for the part of the day immediately after school, while only eleven percent chose it for weekends, and a mere five percent chose television as the most enjoyed activity for the holidays.' (Howe, M.pg18)
Audience
I intend to target my Art show at children between the ages of 6-10 as I feel that this is an appropriete age as it alows them to experince creating a craft first and with very little guidence needed from an adult. However, these ages do cross between two Key Stages (One and Two), which means that I will have to be very aware of what the children are expected to be able to complete and understand at this level and then incorperating the both into my art show.
Art and design:
Key Stage 1
‘During Key Stage 1 pupils develop their creativity and imagination by exploring the visual, tactile and sensory qualities of materials and processes. They learn about the role of art, craft and design in their environment. They begin to understand colour, shape and space and pattern and texture and use them to represent their ideas and feelings.'
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art/ks1The article also goes on to say that key stage one students should also gain an understanding and knowledge of exploring their ideas as well as developing them as well as investigating using other materials in their work. Finally it also states that children should have an understanding of colour, pattern, texture and shape.
Therefore it is important that show I this with in my Art show as not only will it encourage parents to let their children watch the programme but it will also help to progress the childrens learning in a format in which similar to their ‘Art and Design classes at school but in a far more relaxed and inviting format.
However, as my target audience contains children for both keystage one and Two it is important that combine aspects from each keystage in order to get the best responce from my entire audience.
Art and Design
Key Stage Two
‘During Key Stage 2 pupils develop their creativity and imagination through more complex activities. These help to build on their skills and improve their control of materials, tools and techniques. They increase their critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art, craft and design in different times and cultures. They become more confident in using visual and tactile elements and materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think.'
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art/ks2The article also goes on to say that pupils should begin to understand how to draw from their experiences as well as their imagination, using different materials and methods to express their feelings within their work. Should be able to begin to adapt their work and discuss ideas with one another to help improve it.
Attention span of Children aged 6-10
It is very impotant for me to understand the attention span of my target audience as this will strongly infulence the overall running time of not only the entire programme but also the length of each segment.
http://bensoncheng.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/children-attention-span-by-age/
'Age 6-8
Mental:
-Attention Span of 15-10 minutes
-Are concrete and litteral minded
-Have little realisation of Chronalogical sequence'
This artical also goes on to explain hoow children between the age of 6 and 8 rely on praise and acceptence. Therefor it is highly important that i use this within my programme, and in particular during the section of the show where views art is showcased. However as my target audience age goes up to 10 year olds it is important that the presenter does not come across as patranising to these older viewers.
Age 9-12
'Mental;
-Attention Span of 30-45 minutes
-Like to be challenged
-Can learn abstract concepts like sin'
From this research it is clear to understand that my art show can only be a maxium of 20 minutes long, as this will be able to hold the attention of my entire audience for the full duration of the show.
Getting Children Involved
'...the BBC reports that that children send in over 4000 lettters each week to blue peter, somme offering suggestions and others seeking information.' (Howe, M. pg109)
what children want from television
'Perhaps the most significant thing to b found out in asking children what changes they would like to see on television is how inarticulate they are on such a topic' Lyle, j. Parker Bpg54
Presenters
'Being a presenter is all about personality. Although presenters must learn a few simple technical skills, what usually makes or breaks a presenter is the ability to project the right type of onscreen personality.'
http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/television/presenter.htmlRequired Skills
'Presenters are expected to have the following skills:
· Basic knowledge of television terminology and operating procedures .
· A clear voice
· Self confidence· Interpersonal Skills.· For studio or OB work, te ability to keep presenting while hearing instructions through an earpiece
· Improvisation skills· The ability to work calmly under stress. · In most cases, some knowledge of the program topic (e.g. sports, etc).'
http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/television/presenter.html
I will need to keep the above information in mind throughout the audition process whilst selecting a presenter for my show, as in order for my television programme to look professional my presenter must be up to professional standards. I will search for presenters using casting sites such as GumTree and Star Now.
Childrens Televison presenters
CBBC's SMart
Two presenters. Kirsten O'Brien (40) and Mike Fischetti (28)
Disney Channel's Art Attack
One presenter, Lloyd Warbey (28)
CITV Art Attack one presenter always wearing a red jumper
Always young in there 20's. Viewers look up to them and see them as a positive role modle
Biddy Baxter
Producer of BBC's Blue Peter 1962-1988
'Baxter became producer on 5 November 1962, with Edward Barnes her director and 'second'. The pair transformed Blue Peter from middling magazine to national institution - key was involving the viewers in suggesting programme ideas via the Blue Peter badge scheme. Location films, pets and appeals boosted the show's profile.'
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/464540/index.html
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/nmem/exhibitions/bluepeter/exhibition.asp
