Kids, TV, Cancer
January 17, 2012 by
Josh Selig
I took a trip to Delaware last week with my colleague Tone Thyne. We rode an Amtrak train to Wilmington and then got a taxi to the offices of KidsHealth, a new client of ours. They had invited us to come and meet with them on their own turf, inside the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Our project with KidsHealth is to create a video that will be shown nationwide to preschoolers in the days after they learn that they have been diagnosed with cancer. To help us get a better understanding of this delicate topic, we were taken on a tour of their children’s cancer unit where we met with the doctors, nurses, and child life specialists who care for these amazing children, some of whom are just a few months old. I have been working in preschool TV for 25 years now, but I’ve never had an assignment as difficult as this one. Even working in Jerusalem on the Israeli-Palestinian version of Sesame Street was cake compared to making a video that will be seen by families during what is probably the worst week of their lives.
In preparation for writing the script, I’ve been reading up on the literature and watching the few videos that have already been produced on this heartbreaking subject. One of the really interesting things I’ve learned so far is that young children do not fear the same things that adults do when they learn they have cancer or any other serious illness. Unlike grown-ups, they are not afraid of getting sick or even of dying. These ideas are too abstract for most preschoolers. Rather, very young children fear that their illness will cause them to be separated from their parents and friends. They fear that they will be left alone. Perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising, but it was for me, and I was once again reminded of how truly unique preschoolers are. Love is their top priority. Everything else, including life itself, must take a backseat. I have seen this before, but never so clearly or so powerfully.
It’s easy to forget that preschool shows play such an integral role in children’s lives. These days, a program is more likely to be made because it might sell a toy than because it might help a child. In many ways, our trip to Delaware was a much needed reminder for me that all children, the healthy ones and the sick ones, look to our shows for so much more than just entertainment. They use them to better understand their world. And this is an awesome responsibility for anyone who makes preschool TV.
This point was driven home for Tone and I at the hospital when we spoke with the mother of a little girl who had been successfully treated for brain cancer. She told us that her daughter hadn’t spoken for several weeks after her surgery (a temporary side-effect) but, when she did finally speak, the first thing that came out of her mouth was the Wonder Pets’ theme song. That’s why I make kids’ TV.
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Josh, your last paragraph got me. It is truly the simple and
most profound of experiences that give us instant perspective on how we spend
our time and talents. Thank you for once again connecting us all to what
matters most.
I’m sure you’ve come across Paul and the Dragon (animated
DVD) in your research…if not, worth a look.
Thank you.
Jeanne Smith
This is a beautiful post, Josh. I know you’ll make a wonderful video that will help both the parents and their families. The children are lucky to have you. Laura Brown
“Unlike grown-ups, they are not afraid of getting sick or even of dying.Â
These ideas are too abstract for most preschoolers. Rather, very young
children fear that their illness will cause them to be separated from
their parents and friends. They fear that they will be left alone.”Actually I think the heart of our fear of being sick and dying is that same fear of being left alone–or leaving those we love. Any way you look at it, it’s heartbreaking. Good luck with the project. I’m guessing the kids have all the insight you need.
Oh Josh , so inspiring…a project  filled with meaning , purpose, love and spirit.Â
Beautiful
Thank you for  connecting us all to what matters most.Â
Josh, Thank you for this post. You and Tone are just wonderful and I feel so fortunate to know you. Thank you for this post. It’s an important one for those of us who make music and perform concerts for preschoolers and their families as well. I will always be mindful of this going forward in my work. Thank you.Â
Hi Josh,
This post was such an incredible reminder to me about what is important in life and how music and tv play such an important and crucial role in the lives of our children. I am so fortunate to be in the industry of children’s music, not because of what is given out, but for what is given back to me. Thanks for writing this. Best of luck with the project. I am sure it will be wonderful.Â
Suzi SheltonÂ
I love this, I have a picture book to be released in the spring of 2012 with Inkspotter Publishing titled The ABC’s of Cancer According to Lilly Isabella Lane. I wrote this because as a pediatric critical care nurse I saw a need for books for kids that talk to kids in a way that parents are not able to facing the same diagnosis. Kids love, are not afraid to die, and almost always know when things are going bad before parents ever realize it. My passion was to share this book with both sick kids so they know someone understands and well kids so they can understand a peer. Great post and wonderful insight.
This is wonderful work that you are doing, Josh. I agree that one of the great things about working in kids’ TV is that you are constantly surrounded by children’s optimistic, wide-open world view…..and you have an opportunity to give back.
Families dealing with cancer and other serious childhood illnesses should also check out a project we developed when I was at Sesame, called HERE FOR YOU. It has great resources for both kids and adults, and helps us to understand a very young child’s understanding of a life-threatening illness. It came out beautifully. I don’t think we had a single production meeting where someone didn’t end up in tears. Â http://bit.ly/xh6I69Â
Ongoing proof, television shows can play a
prominent role in improving the lives of young viewers. All the best Josh
wow.
Here is another story of an amazing young boot Chace that you could use:Â http://savingchace.com/ Thanks!