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Author Joni Brown

14 YEARS OF CAILLOU AND COUNTING...

2/1/2018

7 Comments

 
Picture
image from Choutette Publishing
Picture

​I am not proud that I’m a bit of a Caillou expert. My daughter, living with autism has been a fan of the children's TV show for 14 years now.  Most parents can't even spell his name and would love to avoid the show. They go to great lengths just to get through their child’s Caillou phase and introduce other palatable shows.

Caillou is a four-year-old fascinated with the world around him. He lives with his mom, dad and little sister Rosie. The grandparents have a strong connection too, as they whisk Caillou off on big adventures like to the zoo and parks. However, this little character comes off to parents as whiny and annoying. Four-year-olds just like Caillou is trying to live a full life figuring out that the world and preschool is hard work!

Some urban legend says the main character has cancer because he is bald. This is false. The TV show as it turns out is based on the illustrated children’s book from when Caillou was only a nine-month-old baby without hair. The creators thought the character as he grew older with hair growth would be unrecognizable so they kept him bald. Also, a side note from the publishers of Caillou, Choutette Publishing explained on their site, “Caillou’s baldness may make him different, but we hope it helps children understand that being different isn’t just okay, it’s normal.” source, http://www.chouette-publishing.com/ENT
​
Enough history lesson on Caillou.

So, why does my 14-year-old with autism worship the bald character so much? From my sleuthing and trying to understand why she still watches such shows like this one, Curious George, Dora the Explorer, Barney and Care Bears is understandable.


  • The stories are simple to comprehend
  • Easy problem solving
  • Characters don't use complicated vocabulary
  • Comfort in repetition
  • The shows are under 30 minutes
  • The songs are catchy

The predictability and a sense of control are reassuring to her. Over the years and banking over thousands of Caillou hours, she knows every episode and predicts what the start middle and ending will be.

​Her world and living with autism, for the most part, is full of sensory overload.  Socializing and communication issues such as eye contact and body language are challenging. Anxiety consumes her daily life as she works so hard keeping it all together during a 7 hour school day.

She cannot wait to come home change into her soft pajamas,
lounge in her favorite comfy recliner and consume her treasured toddler shows.


This is her "drug" of choice.
Is that too harsh to say?
Naw, because it makes sense to me. 
Picture

My daughter in her favorite part of the library checking out cartoon books.


She chooses to watch educational programs, I am really okay with that. We have come along way from when I grew up watching the Tom & Jerry Cartoon, where Tom the mean cat is trying to hurt a little gray mouse named Jerry.

I am happy to report because of my research about this topic, I have new found peace with that sweet, whiny Caillou character!

​

Leave a comment below:
How do you unwind from 
a hard day's work?

​
7 Comments
Jodi Davis link
2/1/2018 08:17:18 pm

You totally made me understand why I like cartoons, also! Lol Love you & your writing! I very much disliked (nice adjective) Calillou. Bald brat. But now I have more of an understanding. Thank you! Best wishes 💕

Reply
Joni Brown
2/2/2018 03:44:29 pm

Thank you!

Reply
Jamie Eglseder
2/2/2018 02:14:16 pm

If they could just make Rosie talk in a regular voice, I think the show would be much more palatable! But I suppose that misses the point.
I love your perspective and willingness to take another’s point of view...even when it comes to...how do you spell it...Caillou!

Reply
Joni Brown
2/2/2018 03:45:20 pm

Agree with the Rosie comment. Thank you for reading.

Reply
Jaimie D
2/2/2018 02:54:48 pm

Wonderful summary and analysis of Caillou! Your point of view on a simple children’s cartoon really made me open my eyes to the effort put into all children’s shows. It is very understandable how your daughter looks at the cartoon with a smile after a hard day, as another parent may grind their teeth having to come home to the show after a long day at work. Thank you for sharing <3

Reply
Joni Brown
2/2/2018 03:46:06 pm

Thank you for your kind words and commenting.

Reply
Joan Johnson
2/9/2018 06:55:44 pm

You continue to amaze me. Your writing and perspective are clear.
You made so much sense as Allie got her pjs, sank into her chair, and relaxed into a program with no more demands of her. Her reward for "winning" (surviving) her day.
Love you all. JJ

Reply



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    Joni Brown writes about her life raising her daughter that lives with PCDH-19 epilepsy, autism, anxiety and OCD.

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