Old-School Children's Television Hits Different: Why You Should Be Making Space for Thomas the Tank Engine, Postman Pat, and Rosie and Jim

There is something very charming about old-school children's television shows like Thomas the Tank Engine, Postman Pat, Fireman Sam, Tots TV, Rosie and Jim and Come Outside with Auntie Mabel. They represent an ethos of children's television that has been annihilated by the twin needs of toy makers and advertisers. Older shows like these offer a vision for children's television that has been lost by almost everyone but a few holdouts at the BBC. Now, I am using "television" to mean any programme, whether on live TV, iPlayer, streaming or YouTube. Why Are Older Shows Better?Although older children's television was still commercially minded, the child remained at the centre of the production. There was less research into learning and development back then, yet there seemed to be a more straightforward attitude that programming had to have intrinsic value. The pace is slower, giving children time to take in what they are seeing. They also treat children with a level of respect,…