My children absolutely adore PBS. They’ve absorbed some remarkable facts—like how avalanches can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour, the reason the sky appears blue is due to light filtering through our atmosphere, and of course, that 4 + 3 equals 7. They also learn the basics like colors and shapes.
However, after countless episodes filled with puppets and animated dinosaurs emphasizing sharing, good manners, and the joy of curiosity, I feel they could benefit from a few more practical life lessons. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if PBS introduced a series that taught kids essential skills for navigating the real world? I’m not talking about patience or waiting for their turn; I mean crucial knowledge like “don’t poke the angry bear.”
Let’s expand on that idea with these 20 lessons:
- Always knock before entering Mom and Dad’s bedroom.
- The same rule applies to the bathroom.
- Chasing the dog with a spatula while screeching like a siren? Not cool.
- Sneaking your dinner under the table to feed the dog is equally unacceptable.
- Regardless of your suspicions, bathwater won’t harm you.
- The couch is not a ninja training ground.
- Girls don’t appreciate being hit with sticks or called silly names.
- Please, no sticking chewing gum under the chair.
- And whatever you do, don’t try to eat the gum you’ve stuck there!
- We don’t play actual Fruit Ninja with real knives and bananas.
- Those organic bananas cost $47, for crying out loud!
- If you step in dog poop, kindly remove your shoes before entering the house.
- An entire roll of toilet paper will definitely NOT flush down the toilet.
- You can’t call your brother silly names, no matter how you feel.
- If Mom tells you not to hit your brother, don’t resort to wiping your boogers on him instead.
- You need both water and soap to wash your hands—not just water or an entire bottle of soap!
- Even if they’re labeled washable, do NOT color on the walls, floors, or your own belly—or your brother!
- Hitting another kid with a plastic sword will likely lead to retaliation.
- When we say “use your words,” we don’t mean whiny tantrums!
- If you create a mess and ignore three warnings, get ready for Mom’s serious response.
Perhaps PBS could up the ante by having a character like Daniel Tiger face the consequences of his actions, perhaps with a well-deserved time-out. Imagine Abby Cadabby’s magic backfiring, turning her into an inanimate object! There are countless entertaining ways PBS could help kids understand that misbehavior can lead to real-world repercussions.
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In summary, while PBS provides a great foundation for learning, there’s a whole world of practical lessons that could better prepare our kids for the realities of life.