A look at the creative process behind Bluey and Cocomelon (2024)

Bluey as a family show and parenting blueprint

• Many see Bluey as “a kids’ show for parents”: episodes model emotionally aware, imaginative parenting and specific games parents can play.
• Short episodes, clear titles, and the intro “game” are praised as very parent-friendly design.
• Several parents say Bandit inspires them to be better, though others note he can set unrealistic expectations for how available and playful a parent can be in real life.
• Some feel the show is essentially about healthy parents raising kids, with the subtext often aimed more at adults than children.

Portrayal of children and behavior in Bluey

• A minority complain that Bluey is bratty or cruel to her father and that rough or demanding play is rarely called out.
• Others counter that Bluey is intentionally flawed to allow growth and that the dad is big enough to “take it”; he is stricter about how the kids treat each other than how they treat him.
• Some parents notice their kids mimicking Bluey/Bingo’s whining and high energy, and prefer calmer shows for that reason.

Cocomelon: criticism, defense, and age-appropriateness

• Strong criticism focuses on rapid cuts, constantly moving camera, and “crack for kids” engagement design that produces “zombie” attention with little depth.
• Several describe it as algorithmic slop chasing watch-time, contrasted with crafted shows like Bluey or Sesame Street’s researched approach.
• Defenders say it’s fine for very young toddlers, especially for nursery rhymes, and has helped in practical situations (e.g., keeping a child still for medical treatment).
• One commenter argues it’s an apples-to-oranges comparison: Cocomelon targets younger toddlers with simple, conflict-free songs, whereas Bluey is a scripted narrative show for older kids.

Screen time philosophy and attention concerns

• Approaches range from “no screens at all” to tightly curated menus of approved content.
• Many prefer selective, limited viewing of higher-quality shows (Bluey, Ms. Rachel, PBS Kids, Daniel Tiger, etc.) over blanket bans.
• Several note that any screen, even cooking shows, can fully absorb kids; others point out that adults exhibit similar “zombie” behavior with TV and phones.
• There is worry about an “overstimulated generation,” while others note every generation has voiced similar fears about new media.

Other recommended alternatives and qualities of good kids’ media

• Frequently mentioned as positive: Ms. Rachel (especially for language and hearing-impaired kids), Gabby’s Dollhouse, Tumble Leaf, Wonderoos, Numberblocks, Puffin Rock, Mr. Rogers and Daniel Tiger, Hey Duggee, various PBS Kids shows, and older cartoons.
• Desired traits: calm pacing, genuine educational intent, emotional literacy, layered writing that engages adults and kids, and music/animation that feel crafted rather than formulaic.