We all know that television is an important part of our daily lives. It is estimated that most Americans watch an average of 28 hours of television every week and spend about 9 years of their lives watching television. Therefore, we all know that TV shows affect our views, personalities, and outlook on our lives. In fact, scenes of television shows are stored in the subconscious part of our brain. This is why many times the shows we watch before we go to sleep show up in our dreams.
For me, there are a few shows that I personally know have made an impact on my life since I was a little child and I would like to share with you all some shows that I have enjoyed since I was a toddler and current shows that have helped me figure out what I want to do in the near future.
1. The Little Einsteins
When I was a baby, my mother would play classical music during my naps because it helps to increase a babies intelligence. When I was a baby and a toddler, I ended up loving The Little Einsteins because of the music and songs. The music led to me wanting to play the piano. I asked my mom at the age of 4 if I could take piano lessons, but I had to wait until I was 6 because my hands were too small. Even now, when I play the piano I think about The Little Einsteins song and how I still struggle to reach some of the keys because of my small hands and short fingers.
2. Dragon Tales
This show definitely caused me to develop much of my creativity. Because the show was centered around two siblings and their imagination into the world of talking dragons, I developed a similar imagination. With my sister and I being 12 years apart, I really didn't have a playmate so I created imaginary friends that I could play with when my mom or sister was too busy. Dragon Tales was both a part of my routine and the creative part of my brain. As a six-year-old, I started writing stories about my imaginary friends which caused me to love writing.
3. Marc Brown's Arthur, Between the Lions, and Reading Rainbow
These three shows were a part of the stepping stones towards my love for reading. My mother taught me how to read as a baby. Yes, I was one of those kids who learned from My Baby Can Read! When I was a first and second grader, I read the Arthur books and watched the TV show. My mother and I used to watch these three shows all the time. It wasn't just entertaining for my adolescent mind, but it was educational. The books they read made me want to read more and more books and I wanted to create my own book. Though I may not have a published book on the shelves of Barnes and Nobles, these shows made me want to make kids love reading my stories. I still aspire to become a published writer because of my love for reading.
4. Hannah Montana
I know that it seems weird that a girl like me would love Hannah Montana, but it is my all-time favorite TV show. I loved the music, I loved Miley Cyrus, and I love the entire premise of the show. Like many kids who loved this show, I wanted to be her, I wanted to meet her. I almost went to one of her first Hannah Montana concerts, but it was between a Wii and her concert tickets. Regretfully, the Wii won. Though I don't consider myself a singer, the reason I love this show so much is because her father supported her dreams and she was able to achieve her dreams while maintaining moral and values (for a certain period of time). This show was similar to how my parents raised me and though Miley Cyrus changed drastically, I still follow her music and watch the reruns at least three times a year. It brings back great memories of jamming to Nobody's Perfect.
Yes, I am a Shonda Rhimes fan. I was not on the Grey's train in the beginning. It actually started two years ago, when I binged watched all 11 seasons. I was immediately addicted. I have always wanted to become a doctor and watching this show made me want to jump in some scrubs and help the public even more. The show has not only reassured me of my career path, but it has also caused me to see the problems that many doctors face and I have been able to mentally prepare myself. Looking at Christina Yang, Dr. Webber, and Dr. Bailey I have seen positive and negative characteristics that both help and hinder them as doctors. These characters have made me want to have similar attributes in order to be a kind, caring, smart, and firm health care provider. It is definitely a show that has changed my outlook on being a doctor.
6. Black-ish
This show has definitely become a classic in my home as well as many families in America. As someone who has seen the oppression in the black community and experienced it, I absolutely adore how the show tackles societal issues and teaching their children what their role is as black people in America. Though they are a high-middle class family, they are not blind to black poverty, the government, and police brutality. Everyone on that show, including the children are helping start the conversation for many families in America while still being funny. It definitely reminds me of how my parents have raised me. I hope that one day I can teach my kids about the positives and negatives of America as they do on this show.
I hope you all can think of some shows from your childhood that you know has impacted you. They may be popular or maybe foreign to others, but it is definitely important to make sure that the shows we watch are positively affecting us and helping to shape us into better people.
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