Greetings from The Paley Center for Media’s Education Department!
Welcome to the latest installment of “What We’re Watching,” a Paley guide for Education@Home. For the next month, our newsletter is being taken over by college students that are part of the Peter Roth Internship program @Paley!
This week’s “media share” is brought to you by Kannon Minnis, a rising junior at Washington University at St. Louis, and Bela De Jesús, a rising junior at Pomona College. Enjoy this unique perspective from the next generation of television and media professionals.
As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at eduny@paleycenter.org.
Happy viewing,
Rebekah Fisk, Director of Education
Carlos Pareja, Manager of Education
What We're Watching: Reflecting on Men’s Mental Health Month
For this newsletter we will be highlighting narratives that look at mental wellness. From a popular animated television series produced “down-under” to an American coming-of-age story, the important issue of emotional health gets much needed screen time.
This Week's Recommendations for Younger Viewers
Bluey: “Dragon” S3, E43 (2021)
Recommended for K+
Available on Disney+
The animated children's television series Bluey tracks the life of an Australian suburban family through the eyes of the inexhaustible and imaginative six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy named Bluey, who lives with her parents, Bandit and Chili, and her younger sister, Bingo. Bluey’s creativity leads to impactful lessons about childhood and family relations.
In “Dragon,” Bluey uses her artistic skills to draw a story, but requests her father's help when she struggles to make a dragon. Eventually, the whole family joins in, but Bluey’s embarrassment grows because of her “inability” to draw the dragon. Bluey’s parents tell differing stories of their past relationships with art, one exemplifying the importance of support and the other demonstrating the harmful effect of negativity. Bluey finds confidence in herself, learning the harmful effects that unrealistic expectations can have on oneself. Bluey is an enjoyable and informative show, we hope you watch more than just this episode!
