Franklin

YMA recommendation

	Approved as non-violent media, with caution. Risk of imitative behaviour
Most suitable age range: 5-7 (will appeal to some younger children as well)

Availability

About the program

Synopsis

Based on the books by Paulette Bourgeois, Franklin depicts the adventures of a young turtle. Together with his friends Bear, Skunk, Raccoon, Rabbit, and Beaver, Franklin learns the ways of the world, right from wrong and must also solve problems.

Points to consider

Words of caution

Negative behaviour which children may imitate includes:

• In one episode Franklin and his friends play a hockey game on a frozen pond. The friends repeatedly slip over on the ice, sometimes crashing into one another, they also bump shoulders as they vie over the puck.

Positive aspects

• The show is kind and encouraging, featuring characters that are friendly and inclusive
• Positive solutions are demonstrated to common problems and situations that children often face
• Franklin models exemplary behaviour and morals as well as valuable lessons while helping his community
• The young characters themselves generally arrive at their own conclusions about what needs to be done to help a person or a situation and they generally follow through with that without adult intervention.

Questions to ask

Discussion points:

• Franklin and Bear really wanted to win, but they realized that if they excluded Skunk she would feel even worse than she already did and they didn’t want to hurt her feelings. They took the time to teach her how to play better and they were all rewarded as a result.

• Parents are given the opportunity to talk with children about choices and how certain actions will not only affect them but also the people around them.