On October 1st a new show was launched on the Disney Junior channel.
We can learn a lot from shows designed for kids.
In fact, perhaps we should be paying more attention to these shows as they are early beacons for learning. Watch it with your kids or just for yourself.
What can we learn about Diversity and Inclusion from a Disney cartoon?
It seems … a lot.
Take a listen to the theme song --- you can watch it below (if it’s not working link)
Warning: Earworm (you are going to be singing this ALL DAY!)
The Lyrics and Cast are Great
The last line is what caught my attention
I'm just like you
Listen to the song a few times. I think you’ll hear the Diversity and Inclusion.
As kids hear this and see how Vampirina interacts with her friends and her new community “From Transylvania to Pennsylvania” they’ll undoubtedly notice that the main character and the whole family go through the same things that every “normal” family does. The theme song is what hooked me, but watching an episode or two is what confirmed it to me that this is a great show for kids. And … perhaps for a few adults too.
In the end I think every kid (and perhaps a few adults too) will realize:
It may seem
strange but it's true
I'm just like you
As noted the cast is great. As an adult you will likely recognize the voices of the characters. Kudos to Disney for this casting too. (full lyrics)
How did I find Vampirina?
No, I don’t spend a lot of time watching kids shows. But, I might start to change that up a bit. There is a lotta learning going on in the spaces designed for our youngest (and most easily influenced minds).
I just happened to be testing YouTube TV and saw the picture of the titular character for a new show called Vamparina.
I didn’t know it was based on a series of books, but I can see why the books were so popular and why they were turned into a show.
Pro Tip: Great kids books - Vampirina Ballerina
… get kids reading D and I too.
What can we learn about Diversity and Inclusion
from a Disney cartoon?It seems … a lot!
Thank you Disney for creating this show and making it so inclusive. For showing us the way … again.
- Teaching our kids that it’s OK to be different.
- Teaching our kids that being different can be an advantage.
- Teaching our kids that working and playing with people that have different abilities can be a lot of fun.
It doesn’t stop with the show. Check out the Vampirina Kindness Guide on the Disney Junior website. Of course, the Kindness Guide is geared for kids, but these are the same things we teach adults about Diversity and Inclusion. Watch it with your kids or just for yourself.
Kudos to Disney. Well done!
What other Disney shows do remember that taught diversity and inclusion?
Share your comments here or on the socials.
image and video credits: Disney
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