What’s your most precious childhood memory? Family road trips, birthday parties, or special school events may immediately spring to mind. But many of us also cherish happy memories of plunking down on the couch to “veg out” and watch our favorite TV show.
Maybe TV time was our preferred way to relax after a long day at school, or maybe it was the coziest way to wake up on a Saturday morning. One of the best parts of children’s TV shows is watching the wacky plotlines unfold: School buses shape-shift, dinosaurs dance, loquacious sponges roam the sea, and superhuman teenagers in technicolor spandex save the planet. Such colorful stories could make us feel as if anything were possible.
But as it turns out, there’s also a lot of wisdom tucked into those funny, zany storylines. While the language may be simple and the comedy slapstick, the underlying themes and advice often contain life lessons well worth revisiting.
So get cozy on the couch, fill that bowl with your sugary cereal of choice, and hit “play” on these 14 tidbits of wisdom from our favorite kids’ TV characters.
There are many ways of saying who you are and how you feel, ways that can be so helpful, ways that don't hurt yourself or anybody else.Mister Rogers (Fred Rogers) in “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”
These things happen, honey. I’ll tell you what I do: I have a little cry, then I pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep going. The show must go on.Chilli Heeler (Melanie Zanetti) in “Bluey”
Things may change, and that’s OK. Today we can do things a different way.Mom Tiger (Heather Bambrick) in “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”
Isn't the smallest chance of victory enough of a reason for us to keep fighting?The Red Ranger/Jason Lee Scott (Austin St. John) in “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”
We worked hard, and we deserve to take it easy for a little bit. I mean, just look at that view. It’s beautiful.Steven (Zach Callison) in “Steven Universe”
Every cloud is silver-lined, even when it rains / So don’t get too downhearted, as things are bound to change / … / If you never lose hope, you’re sure to cope and carry on.Children’s choir in “Thomas & Friends”
As I always say: Make mistakes, make mistakes, make mistakes! It's the best way to learn something.Ms. Valerie Frizzle (Lily Tomlin) in “The Magic School Bus”
And I say, “Hey!” / What a wonderful kind of day / If we can learn to work and play / And get along with each other.Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers in “Arthur”
Look at the leaves … Those leaves came from one amazing tree, standing strong, its branches like arms stretched wide with leaves of many different colors, side by side, swaying together in the breeze. When people of all colors come together, we stand strong, like this tree.Elijah (Chris Thomas Hayes) in “Sesame Street”
Sometimes we have to go deep inside ourselves to solve our problems.Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) in “SpongeBob SquarePants”
It’s better to do one job well than two jobs … not so well.Bob (William Dufris) in “Bob the Builder”
You never do know what’s around the bend / A big adventure or a brand new friend / When you’re curious, like Curious George / When every day is so glorious / Then everything is so wondrous / There’s more to explore / When you open your door.Dr. John in “Curious George”
Today me will live in the moment, unless it’s unpleasant, in which case me will eat a cookie.Cookie Monster (David Rudman) in “Sesame Street”
We all make mistakes, but we can make most anything right again when we have some help from our good friends.Barney (Dean Wendt) in “Barney & Friends”
Featured image credit: AJ Pics/ Alamy Stock Photo
