Question for parents whose children watch Wonder Pets on Noggin.?

Question

Does the fact that the baby chick can't pronounce words right bother you at all? It bothers me because my son is learning how to talk and now he is hearing it all mispronounced. Isn't it setting a bad example? I know he doesn't have to watch it, but it bothers me because there are plenty of other kids that watch it too.

Answer 1

My son watches Wonderpets and it dosn't bother me personally. He is 3 and dosn't try to copy the way the chick talks. But I guess if your son started talking like that I just wouldn't let him watch it. Arthur is the show that bothers me most, I find him whiny and always wants to get his own way. I usually find something else on when this show comes on. I hate Max and Ruby too!!! Does anyone ever wonder where the mom or dad are? Why are they always alone? So weird...

Answer 2

well yes

make sure u correct him or else you will have a little mutent running around

Answer 3

my kids are 4 and 3 and it doesn't seem to affect them. yes i find the whole show annoying and thankfully they seem to be outgrowing it.

they do like saying 'teamwork' tho,lol

can't stand cailou either..but i guess most kids that age are whiny butts having learned,lol.

i agree w/pp not to worry too much. all kids say things incorrect in the beginning. just correct them. There is nothing worse than a parent that continue to speaks baby talk to their child that is learning words. Say bottle, not ba ba because they do..

Answer 4

Plus the show is annoying!!! But I see your point I didn't have a problem with it because my kids are a little older when I found it and it didn't effect them but I can see where it can create a problem. They should change ming ming (I think) voice they only make her voice like to show that she is a very young chich but kids don't know buy the voices so yes I agree with you.

Answer 5

YES! What is the point??? Couldn't he just have a really cute voice, why does there need to be a speech impediment? LOL

Answer 6

Ok.. well first of all heartlostangel - Ming Ming does NOT have a lisp she has an R problem.  She pronounces /r/ like a lot of children do - as a w

2nd of all - IT DRIVE ME NUTS!!!!  luckily my son has also grown out of this show and hopefully it will be gone before my daughter grows into it!!!

3rd of all - I do not believe that it will cause children to speak incorrectly - just as i dont believe she was placed to teach children to be nice to kids who truly do have speech disorders.  her speech is like it is because someone along the way thought it was cute.  no where in the show do the other animals say "Ming Ming, you talk funny but we like you anyway."

Answer 7

My son is 3, going on 4 and I refuse to let him watch that show. Some t.v. shows, while cute and supposed to be designed to stimulate children actually harm them more than help them. This is a good example. Plus, my son is very bored by the situations, the wonder pets don't interact or allow him the same chance to use problem solving skills like Deigo does. Just pick and choose, and make sure what your child is hearing/watching sits right with you.

Answer 8

yes! this is sewious!!  lol  actually i know several kids who watch it and none of them have picked up the speech patterns, you have to work with your kids and not let them do their learning from the television.

Answer 9

I think it's cute! My younger sister talked just like Ming-Ming until she was 8 years old (she saw a speech therapist and was then able to speak properly).

My son has a lisp and mispronounces certain letters. It's adorable and unique and I love it. Obviously if it continues when he's older we'll try to correct the problem, but for now it makes him who he is!

Answer 10

my little brother watches this show and it drives me nuts.  also max and ruby... max says one word per episode.   haha  my son loves miss spider and jack's big music show

Answer 11

I think the writers have characters pronounce words differently so that children who do mis-pronounce words can feel more comfortable, and maybe other children will be less likely to make fun of a friend with a speech delay. I think the same about Baby Bear on Sesame Street.

I really wouldn't worry about your son picking up a mispronounciation from just watching one show, unless he watches it excessively. You have to remember that his interactions with people are truly what affects his language development, and the majority of his day should not be spent watching TV. I, personally, never allowed my daughter (who is 2 now) to watch Teletubbies because there is very little language whatsoever to be learned there. That show can be visually stimulating to babies but other than that, I don't see the point! :)

I'm a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and honestly do believe that children only imitate incorrect speech pattern very infrequently. Just remember that he needs to spend lots of time interacting with other people and not only TV!

Also, speaking of annoying tv characgers, Caillou is so whiny, ha ha!

Answer 12

Well I'm not a parent but I watch Wonder Pets when I'm sick from school and that should be a concern for parents who want their children to pronounce words correctly and speak clear.The problem is that the writers,directors,etc.,don't think about the children who watch these shows and are learning from the characters.That is probably why some kids can't pronounce words.Hopefully your son won't be one of them.

Hope my answer helps you out!

Answer 13

i agree so much with you

Answer 14

Okay, just so ya all know, ming ming has a lisp, which is caused by her having a beak. Some humans have lisps they can't control. Just as children learn to speak in regional accents and different languages, it comes from the parents. Simply pronounce words properly if your son mispronounces them, he'll pick it up. Just like older children can't pronounce words they've never heard, or used very little in a lifetime. The worst show? That creepy Yo Gabba Gabba. Teaching kids to flail around like they're having a seizure. As for Max and Ruby? Creepy, but as long as you start explaining that tv shows are make believe and not to be done in real life at a young age, it's all right. My personal favorite? Ni Hao Ki-Lan. I can't wait till they start making products, my brat loves it and is being taught chinese language and family centered values.

Answer 15

my kids watch it and i dont think it teaches them to say the words wrong. they learn from you and other adults. this is only 1 or 2 hrs. of fun cartoons.  they are not going to be 15 yrs. old talking like the cartoons.