For Parents: The Best Shows to Declare War on Kids – Media

Geolino special

The podcast Geolino special likes to set thematic priorities. Then three or four of the Wednesday episodes are about endangered species, democracy or the Vikings – each with a special focus per episode. Most recently, the topic was dictated by world events: the presenter Ivy Haase, supported by Tim Pommerenke, reported on the war in Ukraine for three issues – carefully and with a very clear goal: the podcast focuses on those aspects of the war that to do with the reality of children’s lives. And choose stories that encourage and give hope. One of them takes place at a school in Boeblingen that has a partner school in Odessa. This network makes it possible to give students, teachers and their families a safe place to stay right at the beginning of their possible flight. German and Ukrainian young people tell how they find each other in Böblingen. In another episode there are tips on how to recognize dubious information as such on websites or on Tiktok. And every time the advice is there not to neglect friends and hobbies – that is, to deal with the war in Ukraine, but not to let it dominate your everyday life. This is one of the reasons why the editors of the podcast will turn to other topics from this week onwards after the episodes on the war that can still be accessed. If necessary, however, come back to the Ukraine later. Stephen Fisher

mouse look

It is one of the outstanding characteristics of the “mouse” that it thinks for itself. With complicated scientific processes that even adults suddenly understand, with exciting stories about polar bears or moles that are as much about friendship as they are about environmental problems. And the mouse thinks of people. To as many as possible, and not just since the wider society started striving for diversity, but always has. Who hasn’t sat in front of the television with their parents or children at some point, wondering in which unknown language the laughter and factual stories are being announced?

Now the mouse is also available in Ukrainian, and whole posts. In it, the editors of Maus have compiled a lot of child-friendly information on the war in Ukraine, such as short video clips in which moderator Johannes answers children’s questions in “Mausblick”: Why isn’t Putin simply arrested? What can I do if I feel helpless? Are all Russians evil? Must I be scared?

These are the crucial questions that not only concern children, and to which adults often have no answer either. The Ukraine page of the mouse is therefore not just a good starting point for children to understand what is happening in the world. It can also help parents find words to talk to their children about the war – and better organize their own thoughts and feelings. She is also a contact point for Ukrainian children who had to flee and are now thousands of miles from home not only looking for answers, but first for a little bit of distraction and joy. Once again the mouse has thought along. Sarah Peschke

radio cockatoo

Cockatoos belong to the parrot bird family. They are colorful and cheeky, repeating and fluttering around. It’s also called cockatoo Radio children’s program by Deutschlandfunk Kultur. Also there, every Thursday from 2 p.m., for almost half an hour updates. Big questions from little listeners are dealt with here: are thieves allowed to vote in prison? Or arms and ears – why do we have everything twice? How is electricity generated? In between there are news for children and weekly updates. The war has been stuck in them for four weeks. is this a good place Just admire earthworms, those slimy muscle men, and then talk about bombs and grenades? About a children’s book illustrator who draws pictures for fleeing children. About a boy from Berlin who has lived with his family in Kyiv for three years, has just returned, one of his best friends is Russian. And then something else again: why are there no parachutes on the plane? Are you allowed to wonder, ask, laugh – with this terrible news? Absolutely. One must. With this magazine mix, Kakadu accompanies exactly what children do all day anyway. Between whoops and sobs there is often nothing more than a fallen Lego spaceship.

Strange, however, is the decision of the editors to offer the update format exclusively as a podcast. On the radio you won’t find anything about Ukraine on Deutschlandfunk for children. George Cadeggianini

Open detailed view

logo

Sometimes when you as an adult with a less adult the children’s news logo When you look at Kika, you catch yourself thinking: Maybe everyone – especially in times like these – should just watch shows that are made like this: because there may be so much gloom in the world, there is always a portion here Consolation: “Tomorrow is World Happiness Day!” No matter how complicated it may seem, everything is explained here – preferably with the logo-typical drawings – in such a way that you can understand it. Who exactly are these oligarchs again? “20 super rich men” who “managed to get this rich mostly through tricks and scams”. These men – bodies with colorful heads illustrated on the screen – have “some kind of deal” with Putin: he doesn’t bother them, they give him money and help him get re-elected. If you want to know more, you can find it on the home page explains the most important things in a tidy themed blog about the war. How there could be peace again. But also: why nuclear weapons are so dangerous. Lasts ten minutes logomostly it runs in the time just before the daily News. If you look at both in a row, you can feel the great art of this news for children: They try to calm them down a little – but they don’t sugarcoat anything. Mareen Linnartz