Everything old always seems to become new again. So many toys, movies, and TV shows that Gen X and millennial parents grew up with have been rebooted and reimagined to better align with Gen Alpha’s fast paced preferences.
But a new trend is emerging as families are rediscovering “gentle” TV programming from the ’90s and ’00s. These classic shows such as Franklin, Little Bear, and Max & Ruby, offer a slower, more soothing viewing experience, which is what a lot of families feel is a refreshing respite from what many of today’s overstimulated shows offer.
Show Qualities That Stand the Test of Time
Michael Hirsh, author of Animation Nation: How We Built a Cartoon Empire, produced many of the “gentle” TV shows from the ‘90s that parents are returning to today. He found great success in adapting classic children’s books such as Babar, Little Bear, Franklin, Pippi Longstocking, Max and Ruby, Corduroy, Magic School Bus, Berenstain Bears, and many others.
He tells Parents he’s not surprised that a new generation is benefiting by re-watching. “I found those books to be time proven and tested to be appealing to preschoolers. For each show I produced, I tried to add variety to what was available for kids,” Hirsh says.
He notes each show has its own unique qualities; for example, Little Bear had a calmness and tranquility that was different from other pre-school shows that were available at the time.
“The muted colors and Schubert-inspired music contributed to the show’s calm, soothing and gentle voice,” he explains. “Babar exuded ‘charmth’ and Rolie Polie Olie had a humorous yet gentle touch.”
Parental Influence on ’90s TV Programming
So, why is the ‘90s considered a less stimulating and more calming era of children’s television? Back then, children’s TV programming was divided between Saturday morning network television and PBS.
Hirsh explains that parental lobby groups had a significant influence on content, while networks ABC, CBS, and NBC had to meet government requirements for educational shows. Meanwhile, cable channels like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney were gaining popularity, even launching separate preschool-centered channels.
“But, since the 2010 period, the cable specialty channels and their preschool offshoots have been losing their audience,” says Hirsh. “Consumers have adopted streaming and dropped cable subscriptions. And, streaming channels are not subject to the same regulations that the legacy media was bound to.
Hirsh goes on to explain how though there’s a tremendous variety of children’s programming today, it’s driven by what kids actually want to watch versus what parents and regulators would like them to watch.
How Fast-Paced TV Affects Development
Stephanie O’Dea, author of Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World, is all for “gentle TV” making a comeback, noting many young children’s struggles with maintaining focus during standard TV episodes or story time.
“Having the TV up on the wall and away from prying fingers—and [programming] with wholesome storylines, the way it ‘used to be’—is best for child development,” says O’Dea. “One of the educational milestones for kindergarten readiness is the ability to sit quietly on the carpet and listen to a 10-minute story. Fast images and shortened storylines are not appropriate for developing brains.”
In addition, modern shows are designed to be more “exciting” for kids to watch–and Caitlin Slavens, psychologist at MamaPsychologists, believes this can lead to more irritability, restlessness, or overstimulation.
“This shift towards old school TV demonstrates that slowed-down, more deliberate storytelling helps with emotional regulation,” says Slavens. “It’s also a reminder that screen time isn’t just [about] what kids watch but how it affects them.”
If you’re looking to introduce your young children to the world of gentle television, educational psychologist Dr. Daniel Hirsch recommends starting with beloved classics like Little Bear, Max and Ruby, and Rolie Polie Olie, all of which are perfect for preschoolers. He also endorses Magic School Bus for seamlessly blending science education with engaging characters and a touch of comedy to make learning fun.
The Importance of Co-Viewing
Even with the “gentle” TV approach, there’s only a matter of time before kids start to lose focus with preschool-level programming and will be in need of viewing options on the next rung of the maturity ladder.
As children reach ages 6-11, Dr. Hirsch suggests transitioning to shows like the animated Beetlejuice series, which perfectly captures the quirky essence of Tim Burton’s iconic movie (without actually showing the movie to your kid). He also suggests the hilarious Johnny Test show. Both options offer age-appropriate humor and engaging storylines.
And while kids can often find shows on their own, Hirsch recommends parents be the ones who introduce their children to classic “gentle” TV shows. Most are widely available on YouTube. Having a shared viewing experience helps nurture good viewing habits and provides a solution to the challenge of monitoring content on children’s personal devices.
“Given that many kids have their own screens from very young ages, this task of ensuring what our kids are watching has become very difficult,” Hirsch explains. “But co-viewing is a big part of the solution.”
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