If there is one "boy" who has captured my daughter's heart, it is Thomas the Tank Engine. For whatever reason, most children fawn over the blue train and his entourage of carts. Though they lack much animation, the steely pals have made quite a name for themselves. Reminiscent of bits of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, the show Thomas and Friends is easy on the eyeballs, but some of the lessons can be a tad harsh.
The trains frequently irritate each other making frowns and grimaces, a common site on the show. On the plus side, tots can learn about emotions and conflict resolution as things always work out in the end. Other shows like Dragon Tales, Super WHY, Sesame Street, and Berenstain Bears do wonders in teaching kids lessons without all the complaining so some mothers ban the rails from their children's viewing. I let my babe watch her beloved Thomas. After all, it is nothing compared to the Tom & Jerry cartoons I watched as a wee one. What's your take on the cartoon?
Thomas Pink
Buti
Lee Angel
Like you said in your post, there are much worse things on tv than Thomas. I also don't mind completely shielding my daughter about the world. I know every parent wants their child to grow up in that field of rainbows, but that's just not reality. Our daughter has witnessed my husband and I fight, her cousins fight, she hopefully will learn how to deal with her emotions and that it's ok to express them.
1I meant to say that I don't want to shield my daughter completely*
2I like the show and don't see it as a problem. Like you and the previous poster said life isn't all smiles and happiness all the time. My godbrother loved Thomas when he was younger. He's almost 6 now so I think he has outgrown it but I don't think watching the show has adversely affected him in any way.
3You've got to be kidding...there are people who think Thomas is too harsh? They're trains! All they have to show emotion and movement is their face, what do you expect? If it was a show with just happy trains doing their jobs, what fun would that be? Even a kid's show needs SOME plot. And you can't show conflict resolution without showing some conflict first.
4my boys love thomas, and in fact, most kids w/ autism do (my oldest is on the spectrum). i actually love it that they have emotions because it's something we work on with my oldest, recognizing emotions in others. we talk about it when we read the books or few the occasional video.
and i have never heard any parent say that the show/books/etc. was harsh. that's really funny. life is not all sunshine, rainbows and unicorns!
5oh, and the pic above is from the "emotions" game that is on their website. we play it regularly. your child has to determine which train is sad, angry, happy, surpised, etc.
6Its funny - what bugs me about the show is more that it is boring than anything else. The narration could put me right to sleep, but my son adores it!
7When I was pregnant with my son I said "No Thomas!". They are way too expensive. Then of course he saw him on t.v. one day and fell in love. He has the train table, countless trains, books, d.v.d.s, puzzles, etc. I sat down to watch it with him one day and immediately recognized a voice, it was George Carlin! That made me love Thomas as much as my son does. But it will be a while before he hears George's other material,lol.
8My son has the Thomas train table and though the cars are expensive he plays with them more than most of his other toys so they were a great investment and are well made. In regards to the show, he watches it, but it isn't his favorite. As a mom, I agree that it's pretty dull and negative.
9So far my son has never seen Thomas. He has just discovered Bob the Builder, so I'm sure Thomas is soon. Plus, my FIL is train obsessed and is already talking about getting him into it, so whether I like it or not, it's coming.
10at my house, my husband liked thomas more than the kids, lol. but they had their thomas period too. what kid doesn't like trains?
11Agreed that it is BORING--i always fall asleep when watching (and I don't mind most cartoons!), but as for not allowing because it's negative...well I have never heard of that!
12my son loves it. i find the pseudo-communist ideals kind of amusing, the super-emphasis on being "a really useful engine!!"
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