What You Had to Say About 'Teletubbies'

In response to the 'Editor's Notebook' of April 10, here are some of the views you shared with us about 'Teletubbies,' the first TV program geared for the diaper set. Thanks for writing!

I found "Teletubbies" delightful, and very appropriate to my granddaughter's age (two years). With its simple, slow-paced action, I believe that repetition is a good idea. Two-year-olds like stories read over and over, and they like repeating favorite play activities.

The show's slow pace reminded me of "Captain Kangaroo" back in the 1960s. I found "Sesame Street" in its early days far too fast-paced. It did nothing in its early days to lengthen a child's attention span.

My granddaughter watches both "Barney" and "Sesame Street." She gets something out of the shows, but she does not react with joy the way she does with "Teletubbies."

Television is a neutral medium. It is up to families and society to use it wisely and to balance it with other activities.

Edith F. Sutton,

Bainbridge Island, Wash.

I could hardly believe it when I read the article about a television show for babies. I would like to think that we as a society have learned by now that TV is no substitute for the love, care, and attention of a parent. It is important for children to learn how to use technology for good, but we need to remember who is in control - the user, not the machine.

Ken Heroy, via e-mail

I have a 22-month-old son, Alex. My son seems to like "Teletubbies." We get up in the morning and watch "Sesame Street," "Barney," and then "Teletubbies." I see nothing wrong with him watching television. For one thing, I watch it with him. It's the only time of day that he'll cuddle with me. But the television opens new worlds for him. He can see things he wouldn't ordinarily get to see, such as other cultures and people, and he can learn valuable lessons from these programs.

As far as marketing is concerned, "Teletubbies" is no worse than "Sesame Street" or "Barney." Look at the "Tickle-Me-Elmo" doll two Christmas's ago. Whatever the kids' program is, someone will be marketing toys for it.

Jennifer Napper

Pittsburgh

My son George has loved "Teletubbies" since it was first shown in England when he was around eight months old. He is now nearly 2, and still watches them almost every day.

Anyone who knows George will tell you that he is advanced in his speech and other skills. He is also extremely active. "Teletubbies" has taught him to sit calmly and watch. He is fascinated by the short films of other children, and what they do.

Criticisms of the way the Teletubbies speak is rubbish. If children were affected by this, surely we should keep our toddlers away from other toddlers who also don't speak correctly.

What about the many positive aspects of "Teletubbies," not the least that "Teletubbies love each other very much," and they are always kind and unselfish? Many other programs for children should follow this example.

My only criticism is that the Teletubbies have been given American accents now that they have crossed the Atlantic. We are bombarded with American imports in England, and the voices are never changed. "Teletubbies" is so English, and should have remained totally English.

Susan Winter,

Derbyshire, England