Edu-tainment Galore: Kids’ Shows That Shine
‘Wild Kratts’ If you have a child who loves animals, tune into “Wild Kratts.” This animated series stars real-life zoologist brothers who go on made-up adventures to save wildlife. They use scientific concepts to rescue various species and teach viewers about exotic animals along the way. The show is aimed at ages 5–8, but younger and older children often watch it, and many parents report being fans. ‘Trash Truck’ Six-year-old protagonist Hank and his best friend, Trash Truck, solve problems and help their friends in this Netflix cartoon aimed at toddlers and preschoolers. “Trash Truck” is a gentle show that promotes social-emotional learning, kindness, and curiosity without beating its viewers over the head with a lesson of the day. Many parents say they wish there were more shows like it!
‘Ms. Rachel’ This YouTube series is perfect for the infant to preschool audience. “Ms. Rachel” stars Rachel Griffin Accurso, a real-life preschool teacher who studies early childhood education. She began her show when her son experienced speech delays. Each episode includes lots of music and careful enunciation, and it’s often very slow-paced to encourage a response from young viewers. With millions of subscribers, it’s clear parents and children love her. If these shows don’t excite your kids’ imaginations or if you’re looking for more content, CommonSenseMedia. org is a great resource. Parents use the website to rate shows based on the appropriate age group, potentially offensive material, educational value, and more. Other than watching it yourself beforehand, it might be the best way to know whether or not a new show is appropriate.
No matter how much you and your kids might love “Bluey,” there are only so many episodes a parent can stand. But while children’s content is more available than ever, it can be challenging to find shows that positively influence your kids.
Parents have long criticized cartoons for their violence, and many
other problems surface upon a closer look. For example, some
popular shows make light of bullying
or encourage kids to disobey and disrespect their parents. Thankfully, the following wholesome, entertaining programs will captivate your children for all the right reasons.
THE HIDDEN DANGER OF LEFT TURNS
We’ve all been there: stuck at a traffic light waiting for an opportunity to turn left that seems like it will never come. Left turns are often frustrating and anxiety-inducing. But they’re also more dangerous than many people realize. Left-hand turns are responsible for 22% of all automobile accidents, and the Department of Transportation reports they’re the collision type most likely to be fatal. Left turns require a driver’s full attention. They usually involve crossing another lane with active, oncoming traffic. Drivers making a left-hand turn must attempt to calculate the speed of other vehicles while managing other concerns like being in a rush or drivers honking behind them. These turns also frequently require navigating blind spots caused by other cars. For an uncareful driver, they’re a recipe for disaster. In addition to having many opportunities to occur, left- turn accidents are also uniquely dangerous. Such collisions frequently happen because the turning driver underestimates the speed of the oncoming traffic. The turner is hit and impacted at a higher rate than expected. Since many left-turn collisions are “T-bone” accidents, a person in the passenger seat is at particular risk for injury or death — the sides of cars aren’t as reinforced as the front or back.
Generally, the driver making the left-hand turn is presumed negligent in an accident. There must be extenuating circumstances — like operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not having a license, or running a red light — for the non-turning driver to be at fault. Remember, a driver traveling straight with a green light is never expected to slow for a left-turning vehicle; the person turning is responsible for safely crossing traffic. Patience is the key to safe left-hand turns — when in doubt, wait. Non-turning drivers can also reduce the risk of an accident by slowing down at yellow lights rather than speeding up.
If the negligence of a turning driver injures you, ensure you have experienced legal representation. Even when fault is clear, an insurance company may still try to pay out less than you are owed. The attorneys at Finney Injury Law would love to discuss your case in detail during a free consultation; call us today!
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