The Lunar New Year brought in the year of the Rat, and also a new addition to the world of multicutural kids tv. I know that Kai-Lan speaks Mandarin, and that she's Chinese American, but she can also be a good role model for Asian American kids in general. (And here's a hint - the show is free to download in iTunes.)
It seems like a cute show, the kind that aims to be a little educational. They throw in Mandarin here and there, and leave space to engage kids (or grown-ups) that may be watching. Kai-Lan's friends are cute bubbly animals. She also spends time with her Ye-Ye (grandfather in Mandarin).
For me, it's kind of nice to see a kids show that incorporates Mandarin. I'm still on the fence about whether I'd let my daughter watch this show. She's learning Mandarin from other videos that she watches at my parents' house, but she hasn't seen too many tv shows in her life. Partly, I'm resistant to the idea of watching shows from Nick Jr. because I don't want to have to fight her when she wants Kai-Lan fruit gummies or Dora underwear. I don't want my daughter to watch tv that reinforces stereotypes, especially about family composition, gender, race, and sexual orientation. We are currently a no-tv household, though I still watch a couple shows on the computer and on DVD. If I watch some tv, shouldn't she be able to?
What are the tv rules in your house? Do you seek out tv with specific kinds of role models?
~ eliaday
