Both my toddler and I love Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go! Both are children’s TV shows featured on Nickelodeon, an American cable television channel geared for children. An incident in my local pharmacy the other day got me thinking about the gender divide in our country. I was looking for a new set of flash cards for my two year old (who will be three very soon) and when I looked for the Dora the Explorer products, I wasn’t disappointed. I bought a tin of Dora the Explorer Kidz Cards, featuring four games: Memory, Old Maid, Go Fish and Crazy Eights. A little advanced for a two year old but he loves Dora and can name all the characters, which are featured on the cards in full color.
I grabbed the canister and made my way to the checkout when a woman stopped me and asked if I thought the cards were a good purchase. I immediately started to sing the praises of Dora the Explorer and related products I’ve found and just casually mentioned that my son loves them.
Her face changed suddenly.
“Your son?” she asked, incredulously. “He likes Dora?” I was bewildered by her change in tone. Of course, I said. He loves the music, and all the animal characters, and learns from the show. To my amazement she proceeded to lecture me that I shouldn’t get Dora products for my son and how different men she knows as adults now identify as gay because they loved to play with dolls as children, and how it was encouraged by their mothers. I was speechless, but managed to shrug and say, Well he’s two.
I quickly walked away, but it got me thinking about how early the gender roles are forced on kids. Even baby clothes are divided by color, although I’ve noticed more and more of my friends who are having kids are requesting “gender neutral” colors for their babies (the neutral colors are supposedly yellow, green, purple, orange–anything but pink and blue!)
For my part, as long as my son loves Dora the Explorer I will get the shows toys, videos and games for him. The show, website and associated products are great. Dora features vivid colors, a cast of animal friends and her family, and is interactive, teaching vocabulary and language skills as well as music, and other lessons (math, science, observation and physical coordination). For example, the characters will pause to ask your child a question, figure out something or to name objects. Does it matter that it’s a little girl who’s the lead showing my son these things?
The Nick Jr. online shop offers bestselling and exclusive products from all of your children’s favorite shows and characters like Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Wonder Pets, Blue’s Clues, The Backyardigans, Ni Hao, Kai-Lan, and Yo Gabba Gabba! In fact, we’ve gathered some special deals for you:
Get 20% off Select Dora the Explorer Merchandise at the Nick Shop!
Get 15% off All DVDs at the Nick Shop!
Save 15% Off Already Low Prices at the Shop.NickJr.com Outlet
What do you think? Do we have to worry about gender appropriate toys for toddlers?
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Shop the Best Sellers Section at Shop.nickjr.com
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Both my toddler and I love Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go! Both are children’s TV shows featured on Nickelodeon, an American cable television c…
3 replies on “Dora or Diego Learning Toys: Does it have to be a choice?”
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