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INFLUENCE OF ANIMATED CARTOONS ON THE BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN IKEJA CITY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Backgrounds to the Study

Childhood as a stage in the human life cycle encompasses a period of phenomenal biological, physiological, psychological, and social growth. Between infancy and the beginning of adolescence, about age twelve, the human acquires major life skills the ability to walk, talk, read, care for oneself, and come to know the world around him or her. During this time, the child first encounters the major agents of socialization:  the family, peers, schools, and media. Children is the future as we know, their right behavior that can be accepted by social were established in family, communities and sociality. The child now is very different with the several years ago. It’s the real problem to the parent, teacher and government for handling that was a serious public problem in many socialites around the world, one of the main causes was media influence. (Saman Gnangsanit, 1999).

The children in common society will be easy to accepting influence from environment and they have good memorize to do anything because of stimulant. The brains can help to learning and doing anything. It’s transforms to be their negative lifestyle and copy-cat behavior (Dr. Pang Shinnapong, Oct 2004) Children will be view violence as an acceptable way to settle conflicts. (Congressional Public Health Summit, 2000). Therefore, the “terms” animation and cartoon have been associated with lively and usually humorous images set in motion.

According to Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (2001) Defines animation as giving life or liveliness to something and while, the word cartoon is refers to the sketches or drawings similar to the ones we have seen in newspapers. When these words are combined to animated cartoon they refer to a “motion picture consisting of a sequence of drawings, each so slightly different that when filmed and run through a projector the figures seem to move” (Random House, Inc., 2001).

The popular animated cartoons channels are: Nickelodeon, Child Smille, BabyTV, Animaux, Cartoon Network, Jimjam e.t.c and they are now available on cable tv such as Startime, Dstv, Gotv e.t.c. Similarly, some of the popular cartoons are: Dragon Ball Z, Fruits Basket, The Simpsons, Futurama, Cowboy Bebop, Naruto, Sailor Moon, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, Tarzan, Tom and Jerry and Spider-Man e.t.c while of these cartoons are shown at the cinema hall such as Ikeja City Mall. It is against this background that the research examined the influence of animated cartoons on the behavioral development of children who watch animated cartoons at the Ikeja City Mall. With the view to know how cartoon influence the learning skill of children, affect the socio-cultural behaviours of children, what are the role play by parents on the cartoon viewing habits of their children.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Early childhood is the most important period in the cognitive development of the child. Children through interactions with their parents, siblings, and adults acquire cognitive skills especially by way of imitation through folklore, tongue twisters, riddles 9 and jokes, proverbs among others. These experiences with their immediate environment no doubt help them to socialize, learn their language, become creative and acquire problem solving skills. Therefore, the need for adequate/appropriate instructional strategies for preschool child environment, facilities and instructional materials cannot be over-emphasized. In preschools, cartoons dominate the instructional materials used in teaching and learning. Preschool children use cartoons and play to discover their identity, help their bodies grow strong, learn cause and effect, explore relationships and practice skills they will need in future. They provide entertainment while fulfilling an educational role. Cartoons help in developing the psychomotor, affective and cognitive domains. Some cartoons appear good enough and very colourful to stimulate a child’s curiosity but may be unsafe and hazardous. Today’s cartoon, game and software markets are flooded with war and crime themes whose exposure to violence will hurt children and society in the long run .Parents in many homes today are too busy with other businesses except that of giving the desired attention to the child which has often been x-rayed in some Nollywood film productions in the recent past. The result of this is obvious: total neglect and abandonment of the child and their need to play with appropriate cartoons. This carefree attitude plays down on the developmental literature of the child whence play stimulates physical, social, emotional and cognitive development in the early years. Children now talk more of the movies they watch, the video games they play or the music they listen to, most times unsupervised by parents and professional caregivers. Long uninterrupted time for children to engage in plays either with themselves, parents or their peer groups using construction and manipulative cartoons has no doubt put the children’s cognitive skills development in jeopardy. However, observations have shown that most preschoolers in Lagos state are indiscriminately provided with cartoons which has no positive value to preschoolers. Most parents and caregivers often give-in to the demands of their children especially when they 10 ask for any sort of cartoon they have seen on the television, among their peers even when the request is for the latest fad or a child’s whim of the moment. This has no doubt resulted to either wrong effects or unintended consequences. This lack of attention and indiscriminate provision of cartoons often for the fun of it without achieving the much-desired skills and proportionate results while at the same time overburdening children with too many cartoons is often the case in preschools in Anambra state of Nigeria. Hence, it is in this regard that parents and caregivers should become acquainted with the specific developmental outcomes associated with the use of various types of cartoons for children of different age groups. Introducing educational tools that send positive messages and that are purposeful and fun, is one step to take in providing children with the best opportunities for development-even from birth. A good cartoon, game, book or software has multiple benefits and, as stated, can be a valuable tool in learning and development from birth through the school years. The problem of the study therefore is: could the influence of cartoons on the cognitive development of preschool children be determined?

1.3   Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to determine the influence of animated cartoons on the behavioral development of children. Specific objectives include;

i.  To evaluate the impact of animated cartoon on the behavioral development of children in ikeja city.

ii.  To determine children’s interest in animated cartoons.

iii.  To find out if there is a relationship between the type of animated cartoons children see and their behavior in the society.

1.4    Research Questions

i.  What are the impacts of animated cartoon on the behavioral development of children in ikeja city?

ii.  Are children interested in animated cartoons?

iii.  Is there any relationship between the type of animated cartoons children see and their behavior in the society? 

1.5    Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study. This research would provide more information on the behavior of children.

1.6     Scope of the Study

This study is on the influence of animated cartoons on the behavioral development of children in Ikeja city.

1.7     Limitations of the Study

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

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