Say What?: Teaching Our Children Proper Grammar

An editorial exploring reasons why proper English is important for everyone and what we can do to help our kids.

(PRWEB) February 29, 2004 --Someone told me the other day that they seen" a great movie. As much as it bothered me to hear them slaughtering the English language (I literally cringed), I bit my tongue, thinking it impolite to correct my elders when it comes to grammar. But what about children?
   
I hear kids misuse words all the time. Perhaps it is a result of observing adults and their speech patterns. Maybe there is some peer influence involved. However the source of such poor syntax that is most vexing to me is the entertainment we provide our children with. With all of the hubbub about sex, violence, and profanity on television, parents turn to networks aimed specifically at children. After all, what harm could there possibly be in letting your kids watch a few cartoons after school? So you can imagine my disdain when I came across two home videos from Nickelodeon, each based on a popular cartoon series. The titles of the tapes are Rugrats: All Growed Up" and Recess: All Growed Down."
   
Growed? Hmmm... The red squiggly line that my spellchecker just drew below that word would lead me to believe that (gasp!)... Growed isnt even a real word! Couple that with the fact that most kids would happily watch paint drying if it was animated. What happens? All of a sudden, every kid on the block thinks that growed" is a word. And worse, adults think its just adorable when the kids say it!
Wherever this broken English comes from, it should be found bothersome. The consequences of improperly speaking can last a lifetime. Children who speak proper English tend to get better grades throughout their educational career than those who do not. Adults who mishandle their words can have a disadvantage when it comes to the job market, especially in an economy that is grinding to a halt; a larger pool of qualified applicants is available, and someone who talks like a hillbilly in an interview clearly doesnt have the advantage. And perhaps most important, children who learn to speak properly grow up to teach their children the same.

Not all cartoons are what I would consider a credible source of programming that has much substance. (Hey, I adore SpongeBob, but Ill be the first to admit that its a lot of fluff.) If you feel the need to let your kids watch cartoons, try to find something that wont just brainwash your tot.

Despite the fact that someone needs to learn" them a thing or two about grammar, Nickelodeon does have some quality programming. The popular show Dora the Explorer," for example, will teach your child a basic Spanish vocabulary. Since children pick up on languages much quicker than adults, starting your child out early on a second language drastically increases the chances they will become fluent.
For younger children, shows like Blues Clues" are not only entertaining but also mentally engaging. Another set of cartoons worth checking out is the Adventures with Spot" series, based on the lift-a-flap book series. (You could even read the corresponding book before bed!)

Older children will love the offerings on the Discovery Kids Network (an offshoot of the Discovery Channel). Take Tutenstein," for example. The sarcophagus of King Tut-ankh-en-set-amun, better known as King Tut, is struck by lightning, bringing the 10-year-old pharaoh back to life. The show is delightfully funny but also loaded with factoids and myths. Though it is a product of the cable network, it airs Saturday mornings on NBC as well. The Discovery Kids segment of NBCs Saturday lineup also includes Kenny the Shark. Kennys misadventures include an episode where he discovers that he cant be a vegetarian; after all, sharks are meant to eat meat.

Remember though, even if it is teaching them something, there is still such a thing as too much TV. Child development experts agree that no matter what the content, an excess of television is never good. Reading with and talking to your children is even more important than what you allow them to watch. And remember that you are the biggest influence in your kids life; if you are feeling insecure with your own grammar, it may not be a bad idea to brush up. The reward for following generations and for you may not be immediately reaped, but the long-term benefits will be immeasurable.

by Rhonda Zbojniewicz, Arts & Entertainment Editor