Blog #321: Watching Childish or Children’s Shows Should Not Be Judged (Part 2)
- Jeffrey Snyder
- Mar 27, 2023
- 4 min read
Maybe there is something to be said about neurodivergent adults watching children’s television shows. I’m pretty sure many of you have already read Part 1 of this blog and thought to yourself one of two options…”Gee, maybe I should let my neurodiverse child or loved one focus on watching cartoons or childish programs like Sesame Street?” or “I’m glad someone agrees with me that watching cartoons or childish programming is good for my neurodivergent child or loved one.”
The fact is that there is again, many parents who are trying to force their children to give up watching cartoons or childish because it’s “not their age.” If you are in the group that wants neurodiverse children or adults to move on from them, the only thing I can say to you is that you are doing more harm than good for your child and I really mean it.
Sure, if they are in school and they have to watch something related to the material that is against their overall character or interest, it’s only for a considerable set amount of time and then they are free to watch whatever they like once the day is over.
It’s also because when it comes to these types of shows, the child understands the subject a lot better because it’s on their level.
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For part 2 of this blog, I want to look at a few examples from a type of education I had…CCD or Religious Education or depending on whatever faith you believe in.
Sure, I had to obtain all the sacraments obtained by my Catholic Faith, but for neurodiverse individuals who had to take CCD, it can be easier said than done if they have difficulty getting a visualization of what went on in the time of Christ. So, let’s look at the first example…the Animated Stories from the New Testament that was released by Nest Entertainment and occassionally aired on EWTN.
Now, being a Catholic, I had to go through CCD or religious education and a lot of the time I had a lot of trouble visualizing or getting a grasp of an understanding of what went on in the days of Jesus Christ.
By watching “Animated Stories from the New Testament,” I started to gain a better understanding of the material because the stories were on my level. Largely because each episode was how I viewed each character from the Bible.
I’m also sure that some of you who are reading this blog entry already have your neurodiverse child in CCD and they are struggling to get a visualization of what went on in those days. Don’t force them to just read the text that is in the bible or any other book. If they wish to visualize the characters from “Animated Stories from the New Testament,” then by all means, they should.
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“My Time with Jesus” core cast from left to right: Eva, Christine, Enrique (and the parrot, Tassio) and Joseph
While we are on the topic of religious cartoons, there is another animated series on EWTN that airs occasionally called “My Time with Jesus” about four kids (two girls and two boys named Christine, Eva, Enrique and Joseph) who use their imaginations to see themselves living in the time of Jesus, among other things.
Yes, some of it is corny (I mean, whoever heard of Chewing Gum Man?), but just because some of it is corny and that the animation is at times limited, doesn’t mean that “My Time with Jesus” gets the point across because it does. In addition, these characters also do two other occasionally aired programs called “The Way of the Cross for Kids” and “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy for Kids” which goes to show you that the formula works and you can still create characters who neurodiverse/disabled individuals can relate to.
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Finally, let’s look at one more religious program that aired occasionally on EWTN and was geared towards children, but I still watch to this day…The Rosary for Kids. Much like “My Time with Jesus,” it can be a little corny in terms of the dialogue such as in “The Sorrowful Mysteries,” Jesus addresses the viewer when he’s carrying the cross without any emotion whatsoever or maybe the little angel who is the viewer’s guide can be a little annoying at times, but that’s what I think draws more and more neurodiverse individuals to recite the rosary.
Neurodiverse individuals can be inspired to recite the rosary because they have something easy that they can look to if they are having a hard time.
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Now as more and more children become neurodiverse with the diagnosis ratio at 1 in 36, its important that families looking to send their children to CCD embrace these types of religious programming. It’s also a good idea to obtain physical copies of these programs on DVD because if the child is struggling with a particular lesson in CCD, then they can learn the lesson better within their own environment.
I mean, who would want their neurodiverse loved ones to watch something as forceful as “The Passion of the Christ” and expect to learn something about their religious education? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great movie, but it can be hard for someone who is neurodiverse to watch and understand something that is not on their level.
Join me in Part 3 of this blog where I wrap up my final thoughts on this topic!!
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Catch you all later!!
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