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Mike Reynolds
Disney Channel tackles a touchy issue for some parents and their toddlers when it explores potty training on an upcoming episode of Bear in the Big Blue House.
The special episode of Jim Henson Television's Emmy-nominated series premieres Feb. 28 at 8 a.m. (ET/PT). "When You've Got To Go!" was written and directed by series creator Mitchell Kriegman and follows Bear as he helps Tutter, Ojo and other residents of the Big Blue House better understand some of the whys and how-tos of toilet training. Barbara Howard, a specialist in child development and toilet training at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, served as a special consultant to this episode.
Bear examines the emotional and development sides of potty training noting that leaving diapers behind and using the toilet is simply part of growing up. Along those lines, Bear convinces a fidgety, ready-to-burst Tutter that it's OK to leave the board game he's playing to go to the bathroom because the game will still be there upon his return. From there, viewers see Tutter going through his bathroom motions and Bear reviewing an aural lavatory "checklist"of proper functions. The show's use of filmed testimonials of commentary from children of varying ages who have made this life transition afford a nice aspirational touch for youngsters still in this stage.
On the down side, a funky, bass-driven song, "On the Potty Train," seemed a bit much, and even potentially intimidating, to youngsters, particularly with some attendant dark visual images and the line "Get down with it," accompanied by grunting sounds.
By show's end, though, everyone is inducted into the "Mystic Order of the Toileteers," Pip and Pop's exclusive club for the potty-trained.
Generally sensitive and reinforcing overall, the show could be just the ticket for those in need of some assistance in this area. Hey, you never know, maybe it will make them go.
The episode is scheduled to repeat March 6 at 8 a.m., March 10 at 10 a.m. and March 15 at 1:30 p.m.
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