The Caillou Controversy
Some Parents Disapprove of the Popular Preschool Series
© Jan Zeiger
Jan 28, 2007
As a member of several parenting groups, I've found that some mothers don't let their children watch Calliou. Meanwhile, other parents speak highly of the program.
My son has been watching Caillou for a couple of years now. It’s always been a favorite of his, so I was surprised to hear other moms from online and real life parenting groups talking about how they don’t let their children watch the show. When asked why they don’t like Caillou, almost all of them explained that they think Caillou is too “whiney.” In addition to these complaints, I found many negative blogs about the show online. Many of which used the word “brat” to describe the lead character.
Based on Research in Child Development
The Caillou television series is based on award-winning children’s books that were written by Christine L'Heureux and based on the work of world-reknown psychoanalyst, Dr. Francoise Dolto, who believed that children should be treated with respect. Caillou, the television series, first appeared in Canada in 1997 where it was immediately popular with preschoolers. Next, the series was developed for PBS and introduced to American audiences.
The show is different from many other preschool shows because the setting is realistic rather than filled with fantasy. While many other popular shows feature magical worlds and animals that talk, this series invites viewers into the day-to-day world of Caillou, an active four year old who appeals to both boys and girls. The show focuses on Caillou’s perspective as he deals with real life experiences such as his first trip to the dentist and his first time on an airplane as well as everyday activities such as staying in on a rainy day and making crafts with Grandma. Child psychiatrist, Dr. Nicole Nadeau, plays an active role in the production of the series as well as the books, ensuring that the stories shared are rooted in the latest research in children’s development.
My Thoughts on Caillou
As a parent and educator, I think this is an excellent show for young children and have absolutely no problem with my children watching it. The narrator of the show often talks about Caillou’s feelings as he’s going through these experiences. For example, if Caillou was planning to have a playdate that ended up being canceled, the narrator would be heard saying the following: “Caillou felt sad when he realized that Clementine wasn't coming over.” The narrator conveys Caillou’s feelings of frustration, embarrassment, and of course, happiness which helps young viewers learn to use “feeling words” in their own lives.
Something else I like about the show is that Caillou's parents provide loving guidance and allow Caillou to feel “heard” and acknowledged, which is especially important for preschoolers who are upset. I feel that we live in a society where, often times, only positive emotions are welcomed by parents of young children and that this lack of empathy can have a negative impact on their development. Children need to be able to express their feelings to their caregivers, and Caillou helps them learn language to accurately describe these emotions. As for the “whiney” voice that many complain of, I agree that his normal speaking voice is a bit high-pitched, but it is my understanding that this young male character is actually played by a female voice actor. While it is true that Caillou expresses his frustration vocally, I am comfortable with this and encourage my own children to use "I feel" messages to describe their feelings.
Discussion Welcome
Do you allow your child to watch this program? If so, what are your thoughts? I’d also love to hear from you! Share your opinion in the forum.
Trivia: In French, “Calliou” means pebble but can also mean bald head!
Sources: Chouette Publishing and PBS KIDS
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The Caillou Controversy in
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Comments
Jan 28, 2007 12:04 PM
Jan Zeiger
:
Discussion welcome!
Feb 1, 2007 5:49 AM
Shane Werlinger
:
My 3 year-old daughter loves Caillou. We monitor everything she watches and haven't found anything objectionable with Caillou. I can see why people wouldn't like the show because he can be a bit whiny and bratty, but most kids have those moments. I'm a little odd and I enjoy watching a lot of the shows my daughter watches. Kids are neat, funny little people and I enjoy interacting with them.
Feb 1, 2007 6:06 AM
Michelle Anderson
:
Hey, thanks for posting in the writer discussion area. My son is almost two and we've watched it a few times. He really liked it. You're right that it doesn't have a lot of "flash" to it but I really liked how the parents explained things to him. I liked how they were patient and got along well but with respect. Thanks for the thoughtful piece.
Feb 1, 2007 6:11 AM
Colleen Vanderlinden
:
My 2 and 3 year old daughters just love Caillou! I haven't noticed an excess of whininess. I appreciate that the narrator vocalizes Caillou's feelings, exactly for the reasons you state---we want our kids to be able to express their feelings, and the best way to make this happen is to have the words modelled for them. A little off topic, but if you want to talk about bratty preschool characters, "Franklin" gets on my nerves sometimes :-)
Feb 1, 2007 6:37 AM
Georgene A. Bramlage
:
Very well-written article :)
Thanks for bringing this TV show to our, especially my, attention. As a grandmother of five, I will definitely check it out.
And as for the whininess...show me a four- or five-year-old who isn't...sometimes to get his own way; sometimes out of frustration. It seems as if beginning at these ages children want to talk, be listened to, and acknowledged.
Georgene (AKA Cercis)
Feb 1, 2007 7:19 AM
Jan Zeiger
:
Thanks to everyone for the responses. :)
Feb 1, 2007 8:32 AM
Robin Fowler
:
What, you mean most 3 and 4 years olds NEVER whine? They are all perpetually peppy and happy like Dora or Diego? Man, I must be doing something wrong then! :)
Seriously, both my kids loved Caillou. And, I always appreciated the way the show discussed his feelings when something didn't go his way. It opened the dorr for discussion in our own house (where my kids have elevated whining to an art form!) The fact that he was whiny or pouty on occasion was a breathe of fresh realism! But, it took me hours to get the theme song out of my head!!
Feb 1, 2007 9:18 AM
Jan Zeiger
:
LOL
Yeah..I sing along with the theme song and I'm almost 31!
Mar 18, 2007 7:03 AM
La Rhonda Lewis
:
I think that Caillou give the children a voice similar to their own. Most 4-year old boys don't have a Barry White voice anyway. As a parent I would much rather have my toddler relate to a "bratty whinny" kid than a talking sponge, fairies or mutants. Because kids mirror what they see, it is important to put more realistic images in front of them early.
Mar 29, 2007 3:00 AM
Evelyne Brink
:
I am glad most people think Caillou is brilliant, I think that a bit of a whiny hero doesn't harm at all, it gives parents the opportunity to praise their own kids more! I think children don't necessarily immitate all behaviour they see but they do empathise with their little heros, so Caillou not being little super perfect this is how you should be kid is helpful- a child doesn't constantly have to strive to be as great as its favorite chararcter.
Promoting adventurous curiosity and real environments and talking about feelings I am convinced is good for kids. It's also a refreshing difference from all the slightly abstruse fantasy programmes for pre schoolers.
What I would like to know is what kind of product would enhance kid's lives that Caillou could help to promote? I know there is more and more debate about using kids brands to advertise to children and it's often put in a negative light. I think it's good to see where concerns are and work with that, I would like to start using popularity of a character as a benefit of the child rather than simple exploitation of a brand. I think the choice is ours, we just need the right ideas!
Popular charactes are great vehicles to communicate to kids, what we communicate lies in our hands. May they be helping hands.
Evelyne
