Why we’ve fallen in love with a cartoon dog
As a parent, I consider myself lucky. We missed the Pepper Pig craze (thank goodness!); we skirted past Teletubbies; Cocomelon hasn’t graced our screens, and, apart from a brief fling with Paw Patrol (dogs again), T.V. shows haven’t featured in our daily life, toys, or playtime.
Until now.
Now our family have fallen in love with a family of Australian Blue Heelers. Appealing to a wide range of ages, we aren’t the only ones who have jumped on blue dog band wagon. Viewed in over 60 countries and topping the rating charts globally; it is Australian Broadcasting Company’s most successful television show ever made.
So, what’s the secret to its success?
Bluey & Children
From the opening dance to the giggles and fun; children are captivated by Bluey and her family. The producers have captured pre-school humour so well. The slapstick silliness appeals to the younger ages and parents can identify with the sometimes weary, Bandit and Chilli.
Bluey may be a dog, but her behaviour is very familiar to anyone who has ever parented a six-year-old. They dynamics between her and her younger sister Bingo are also identifiable.
Bluey portrays a world in which childhood seems safe. Bluey and Bingo don’t always have things go their way, but they are guided through difficult times and their range of emotions are allowed. For children, this is the gold standard, even if they don’t always realise this. The short episodes are just enough to hold a pre-schooler’s attention. The plot is always simple, focused and easy to follow. The graphics are bright, movement is slow and the music is well placed. Classical music often features; adding an emotional atmosphere to the episodes, but also introducing a new generation to the genre.
Bluey & Parenting
In 2019, the cartoon Dad, Bandit, was awarded father of the year, in a newly added canine category, in an Australian Awards ceremony. I’ll be honest, I agree, he’s a pretty good role model of a dad.
Bluey models a gentle, playful approach to parenting that most of us aspire to. There are some real identifying moments; where Mum needs some time out for her sanity and Dad needs reigning in and reminding of all the planning and equipment needed for a fun day out. It portrays a realistic family dynamic, whilst giving us parents something to aspire to. The Bluey parents aren’t perfect, they just have some good ideas on how to distract and entertain children; something we all need more of!
The learning moments are not just for the children. It focuses on some real scenarios, such as death and models ways that this can be dealt with as a family. As parents, it’s a reminder of the power of play; of the importance of slowing down and seeing things from a child’s perspective. It’s given me that gentle nudge to devote more energy to imaginative play and engage in a more playful approach to family connections.
Bluey’s benefits
Playful parenting has been linked to improved emotional regulation in children and is therefore a valuable skill for promoting child development. (Shorer et al., 2019) There aren’t many children’s television shows you can research on Google Scholar but child development experts are wading in on the success of the show. According to Professor Marc de Rosnay at the University of Wollongong:
Bluey expresses something and demands something of the viewer that 1000 developmental psychology or parenting books would struggle to do as well.
Rosnay, Child Development Professor (Isaacs & Elliot, 2022)
It seems like if we want to be better parents, we just need to watch Bluey…..
References
ABC Classic (2021) Five exceptional uses of classical music in bluey, ABC Classic. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/classic/read-and-watch/music-reads/five-exceptional-uses-of-classical-music-in-bluey/13327412 (Accessed: 04 August 2023).
Isaacs, D. and Elliot, C. (2022) ‘What bluey can teach us about parenting and grandparenting’, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 58(1), pp. 6–7. doi:10.1111/jpc.15620.
Shorer, M. et al. (2019) ‘Parental playfulness and children’s emotional regulation: The mediating role of parents’ emotional regulation and the parent–child relationship’, Early Child Development and Care, 191(2), pp. 210–220. doi:10.1080/03004430.2019.1612385.
Taylor, D. (2023) Sleepytime had me in tears: How one television show has the world falling in love with Australian culture, Bluey’s international success is on track to eclipse that of Crocodile Dundee. So what does that mean for us? – ABC News. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-05/blueys-international-sucesses-reshaping-australias-image/101927238 (Accessed: 04 August 2023).