Hi 5

YMA recommendation

	Approved as non-violent media, with caution.Early sexualization of children
Most suitable age range: 2-7

Availability

About the program

Synopsis

A group of five friends, Kellie, Nathan, Charli, Tim and Kathleen sing and dance to their weekly song before an audience of children. The program includes:  portions with music and musical instruments, puppets, story time, imaginative play and video footage of the Hi-5 group interacting with various children in a diverse range of settings.

Points to consider

Words of caution

• Hi-5 promotes the early sexualization of children. The female members of Hi-5 are frequently seen in skimpy, tight, occasionally backless or strapless tops as well as in short skirts, tight pants and high heels. They wear a large amount of make-up and extreme hairstyles to emphasize their appearance, which is both inappropriate and unnecessary for the role models of young children.

Positive aspects

• Demonstrates: teamwork, harmony, sharing, creative thinking, music appreciation, early literacy, early numeracy, and problem solving skills.
• The show also promotes cross-cultural understanding, through greetings, geography, costumes, stories and songs.

Questions to ask

• What do you like the most about Hi-5?
• Is there anything that you do not like?
• Parents could talk to their children about why the members might dress as they do and why this is inappropriate for young children, i.e.; that it encourages children to think in terms of physical appearance, as opposed to character content. Perhaps children could then be encouraged to design their own costumes for the Hi-5 group.