My kids love the T rex exhibit at our local museum. They're awed by the enormous height and tiny arms of these creatures. It comes as no surprise to me, then, that television shows such as PBS Kids' "Dinosaur Train" and Nick Jr.'s "Dino Dan" appeal to them.
As a parent who holds a biblical view of Creation, I've often wondered if we should avoid these shows and wait until my kids are old enough to understand the basics of the debate between evolution and intelligent design. Should I expose my young kids to a worldview that teaches chaos and chance rather than plan and purpose? Would the messages of these programs undermine what I'm seeking to teach them?
My husband and I realized that we could use these programs as opportunities to reinforce God as Creator. First, we watch the programs with our children. This allows us to counter dialogue on the show in an age-appropriate manner. For example, we might ask, "Who made the dinosaurs?" To which our kids answer, "God!"
Second, we make sure these television shows aren't our kids' only source of information about dinosaurs. We buy books that explicitly point to God as the Creator of all — including these massive marvels.
Whether our kids are looking at bones or cartoons, we enjoy making the most of teachable moments, pointing our kids to the creative genius behind creatures of enormous height and tiny arms.
~ Read more articles about media influences & your family. ~
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2011 issue of Thriving Family magazine. Copyright © 2011 by Ashleigh Slater. Used by permission. ThrivingFamily.com.
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