Peppa Pig Entertains And Educates

By Marlene Blevins


Television programming that is meant to attract children who are not yet ready to tackle letters and numbers, often used social conduct and proper manners as their platform. Animals with human behavioral characteristics are commonly used as primary characters. Peppa Pig, an animated show from Britain, is one that uses this tactic to grab the attention of the very young and teach them.

Astley Baker Davies is the talent behind this show which first aired in 2004, being the creator, director and producer. It got got started in the American market in 2005 as part of Cartoon Network's preschool block, Tickle-U, before moving on to Noggin in 2007 and finally finding its niche with Nickelodeon as a member of the Nick Jr lineup. Every story is told within approximately five minutes as a way to keep the attention of the very young.

A narrator is employed, a common practice in British toddler television, to help the children comprehend what is happening in a particular scene and to emphasize what characters are thinking or feeling. Though they speak throughout the show, kids do not recognize them as a cast member, but interact with them as a friend who is watching along side of them. As this is how a child's mind processes the input, they learn to socialize, observe, recognize and empathize.

An energetic young lady of about four and filled with personality, imagination, curiosity and playfulness is the show's star. She and her younger brother, George, live in a house with their Mummy and Daddy. While still maintaining some characteristics common to pigs like snorting and mud wallowing, they also behave very human by doing activities like going to work and school, having extended family members, wearing clothing, driving, shopping, calling the doctor, being social and much more.

All four members of the family have friends who are their same general age but are not the same species. Other families in the community include zebra, rabbits, horses, goats and others. The mammals are all endowed with human emotions and behaviors but the other animals such as the spiders, ducks and frogs, maintain actions quite typical of their kind.

Each five minute segment is an engaging experience that encourages children to interact with the characters. The narrator poses questions about how someone feels or how they should solve a particular issue. Whatever the subject matter, it is always handled in an upbeat and positive manner, always ending on a happy note with lots of snorts and giggles.

Each segment centers around common activities and situations that usually involve the whole family. Theme examples are picnics, riding bicycles, going to the fair, camping out, sleeping over with friends, or enjoying visits with the grandparents, cousins or other relatives. This program always has an adult figure interacting with the children to help them resolve issues, being silly and just enjoying their time together.

The main characters are below the age of five and are always featured in age appropriate situations and activities like playing pretend, dressing up and jumping in puddles. They are never portrayed in roles that are too old for them like cooking meals on their own, babysitting a younger sibling or being responsible for grocery shopping. This program is quite successful at remaining true to their target audience, grabbing their attention and making learning fun.




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