As explored in the first story of this series, childhood is an important part of  ife. Growing up can be scary, but one way teenagers escape from reality is through shows. Although the shows that we fill our free time with now may not be the same as ones we watched as children, everyone started somewhere. In this piece, four students reminisce about their favorite childhood shows. 

Cymri Elton

“My favorite was ‘Team Umizoomi.’ I had a whole set of them, and I would play with them in my room.”

Cymri Elton’s, 11, favorite show revolved around three main characters — Millie, Geo, and Bot — who were math superheroes. Elton explained that they gravitated toward this show because there were fun colors and shapes while

incorporating problem solving within an interesting story. 

“I remember learning that a triangle was the strongest shape because they were fixing a bridge.”

Elton also shared that they still occasionally view this show when they are bored and don’t know what to watch or if they want a background show while doing school work. Watching the show now brings back emotions of happiness for Elton as a

part of their childhood still lives with them. 

“Whenever I see a scene that I remember from my childhood, I get all giddy and then, if I’m just watching it and I don’t remember [something], it’s very uplifting especially when I’m doing something like PEDLIGS for APUSH.”

Out of the three characters, Elton remembers Millie being their favorite as a child and their opinion hasn’t changed. 

“Millie was my favorite, and I’ve always wanted to be her. She was just iconic and so cute with her rollerblades. She seemed like a pop star to me. She’s influential, but she’s fun at the same time.”

As Elton still has love for the show “Team Umizoomi,” she claims their future children will watch it as well. 

Easton Schulte

Coincidentally, Easton Schulte, 10, shared their past interest toward “Team Umizoomi.” They described the show as amazing and agreed that they would want their future kids to watch it. However, Schulte’s favorite character was Bot.

“I really liked the robot, and I kind of want to be him. He was really iconic.” 

Similar to Elton’s memory regarding the show, Schulte recalls bridges being a big part of the show. 

“I have a memory of them going under a bridge. They had a weird thing where they went under bridges a lot.”

Although “Team Umizoomi” was Schulte’s favorite childhood show, they now watch and prefer “Bluey.” “Bluey” is a cartoon that follows the adventures of a blue heeler puppy and their family. Since the cartoon was created in 2018, Schulte does not consider it a show from their childhood. 

“I prefer ‘Bluey,’ but it wasn’t there when I was a child.  I started watching it a little while ago, kind of when it started becoming popular.”

Schulte explained that “Bluey” is their comfort show. 

“I think they’re just funny, and I giggle every time I watch it. It just heals everything.  I have to watch at least an episode a night.”

Even if “Bluey” is considered a “children’s show,” it does not stop Schulte from enjoying it.  

“I’m so excited for the movie. The movie comes out in 2027 when I graduate. It’s going to be my graduation movie.”

Annika Wilson

“My favorite childhood show was probably ‘Good Luck, Charlie.’ I just thought there was a lot of good humor in there, and it was entertaining for both parents and kids to watch, so it was on a lot. It was just fun to watch.”

Annika Wilson, 12, considered themselves a “Disney kid” as many of their favorite shows were from Disney Channel. “Good Luck, Charlie” was one of their favorites in particular.

“I think I’ve learned a lot of different life lessons from it. I think there were times in middle school where I would care a lot about certain things, and that show helped remind me to not take life as seriously.”

 This show started in 2010 and was a sitcom that followed the lives of teenagers within a family. Wilson shared their most memorable moment regarding the show. 

“I remember my cousin and I when the new ‘Good Luck, Charlie’ Christmas movie came out. My cousin lives in St. Louis, but we were both really excited about it, so we called and we were on the phone the whole time when we watched it the first time.”

Wilson explained that they still occasionally watch the show especially if they can’t fall asleep at night. 

“It’s just happiness and contentment because it’s a really feel good show. No matter what’s going on in life, it is definitely a comfort show.”

Alyssa Hyatt

Alyssa Hyatt, 10, stated that “Tom and Jerry” was their favorite childhood show.

“It was just always on. My parents watched it, and I liked to watch it before school and after school when I was growing up.”

Although Hyatt no longer watches the show, they said that if they were to view it again, they probably wouldn’t think about it any differently. They explained that they didn’t have much thought when watching it in the past as it was just a funny show to watch mindlessly. 

“Tom and Jerry” is an animated media franchise and series of short comedy films starring a cat named Tom and a mouse named Jerry. The show stood out due to its humorous sound effects that truly captured the animated style of the 1940s.   

“I think the sound effects that they had were the most memorable.”

This show was not driven by educational purposes; however, Hyatt does remember coming to realization about one particular thing.

“I learned that cats and mice don’t get along about it.”

Childhood shows hold a special place in our hearts often they provide comfort, nostalgia, or education. Whether it’s revisiting old favorites or discovering new ones, these shows will continue to shape our memories and maybe even influence our lives.