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Let me tell you something regarding children’s programming…it’s a far cry from what I experienced growing up in the 1990’s. Shows like “Sesame Street” and “Mr. Rogers” taught important life lessons that we were able to absorb like a sponge and use in our lives as we grew up. Being a neurodivergent, I was always very self-aware of what I was watching and while I did use my imagination to see the story as I saw fit, I never forgot the true lessons of what the story was about.

Children’s television nowadays are almost more about money and viewership and less about teaching what is important. Not to say that there are some long running programs that have broken innovations like “Sesame Street” while still trying to hold onto those values. But for the most part, all children’s programming are basically cash cows and that’s raising a lot of red flags. Most of today’s programming for children are teaching the same thing over and over again while also bringing in topics that should not be taught at such a young age.

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Now, the reason I am talking about children’s programming in this blog is because many neurodivergent individuals will still watch programs on PBS, Disney Channel or Nickelodeon even as adults and while most families will display anxiety or apprehension towards it, they are probably wishing that individuals watch something that is of value along the lines of “Mister Rogers Neighborhood.”

When I first saw this new crowdfunded program being advertised YouTube called “Iggy and Mr. Kirk,” it got me thinking that maybe this is the programming that today’s family needs to watch and embrace even if it is only going to be for 20 episodes. You’ve got Kirk Cameron (star of “Growing Pains”) and a muppet type character named Iggy the Iguana hosting a show that holds value that children can take into their everyday lives.

Lessons like being brave and strong, accepting responsibility for our actions amongst others are still being taught, but they are being taught the wrong way. The minds of children and the few neurodivergent individuals who watch them are fragile and they need to be treated as fragile. Working in a public setting has made me see that none of these lessons are being applied and to have someone like Kirk Cameron step forward to apply these lessons is a breath of fresh air.

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Now that is to say that not all children’s programming today is bad, I mean there are a few diamonds in the rough like “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” that also taught important life lessons like trusting your instincts (“A Canterlot Wedding”); giving someone a second chance (“The Cutie Re-Mark”) or what happens when we stray from the true path and we end up betraying others (“Twilight’s Kingdom”) while maintaining the core lesson of friendships.

But when it comes to “Iggy and Mr. Kirk,” it seems like we are getting something back that once was around a long time ago, something that we embraced and took into our adult lives. If you see it, give it a chance. You will not be disappointed!!

“Adventures with Iggy and Mr. Kirk” Promo Page

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Catch you all later!!