23 February 2009
BEIRUT: Arab pre-schoolers are for the first time enjoying television programs specifically tailored to their age group after the launch of a new channel in January. The younger sibling of Al-Jazeera Children's Channel (JCC), Baraem ("Pals") is the first pan-Arab channel for 3-6 year olds in the Arabic language. It puts strong emphasis on Arab language and culture and its producers and writers have promised to deliver age-appropriate programming designed to "strengthen cognitive and development skills" of its young viewers and to complement their formative years of education.
"Baraem comes as a historical development and unprecedented contribution to the television history of the Arab World," said JCC executive general manager Mahmoud Bouneb at the channel's launch in Doha. The free-to-view satellite channel broadcasts for 17 hours a day with funding from the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
Baraem intended to promote "a conscientious media environment for the Arab youth and child," said Bouneb, who encouraged parents to supervise their children's television habits and to help explain concepts put forward in Baraem programs, like problem-solving, sharing and effective communication.
Baraem's launch will not only keep younger kidlets happy, but aims to have positive repercussions for JCC's older viewers. The channel can now move away from more generalized programs to cater to a slightly older audience of 7-15 year olds.
Even with the birth of Baraem, as one of very few Arabic-language child-oriented channels, it has almost no competitors. "It is a sad thing to note that there are not enough Arabic programs for the children in this region," said Bouneb, adding that one of Baraem's goals was to improve the language skills of pre-schoolers. "We want to emphasize the importance of the Arabic language as a means of communication."
Like the JCC, Baraem also boasts an interactive website, offering cognitive games, educational tools and activities designed to help pre-schoolers improve their Arabic skills. Baraem currently produces 15 percent of its broadcast material itself, but Bouneb said he hopes to "gradually increase production to affirm the Arab identity of the channel."
Bsharra Atallah, an actor who used to work in children's programs for Future Television, echoed Bouneb's complaint about the dearth of Arabic children's television. "Even the programs we do have are not good enough," he said. "Most are entertainment programs that don't teach children any social or educational skills."
While such programs might stop children from running around the house for a few minutes, Atallah believed they had little long-term value. Good children's television had a duty to "teach children without them realizing they were learning" and needed writers with education backgrounds. Perhaps aware of the regional shortage, more Arabic channels were now paying attention to children's programs, Atallah added, welcoming the launch of Baraem.
Copyright The Daily Star 2009.
