Camille's Comments:
I have spent a fair share of time babysitting my cousin, Mateja. Spending a lot of time with any three year old, means spending a lot of time with Dora. It amazes me all the learning skills that are made fun for children. The use of "we" really made her want to be involved. While some could theorize how kids encode the messages sent through the show, there is no real way to experience it other than with a child. They really get into the show and it is wonderful to see them standing up, participating, and eager to learn.
Appealing to Preschoolers
Preschool age children are far from the tradition television audience. Their brains function differently than a mature brain so creating media which interests them is somewhat harder. Dora takes the methods by which children learn, and incorporates it into the show. Dora talks directly to the screen, breaking the fourth wall. The show utilizes "we" when talking about something, telling viewers that their help is needed, giving them a sense of power and accomplishment. Not only does the show ask kids to be intellectually involved, but physically also. Each episode contains seven different lessons varying from reading, writing, math, music, and kinesthetic skills. It is the emphasis on linguistics which truly makes the show stand out from other children's programming.
