Early Children’s Educational Television And 4-H

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Mr. I. Magination in New York City, Engineer Bill in Los Angeles, and the Land of Ziggy Zoggo in Chicago were all programs created to entertain children across the country in the early days of television with humor and a few tidbits of education. There were a number of local programs produced for children – usually airing early in the morning before school, late afternoon after school, and on Saturday mornings. Most of the early shows had a colorful host who often came close to being considered "goofy." Many assumed roles of clowns, magicians or sea captains. Cartoons were used heavily, along with studio "chatter," almost as if they were making the program up as they went along, i.e. no script. Indeed, a number of these shows absolutely did function totally with no script. One of the most popular of these, which started in 1947, was "Kukla, Fran and Ollie," starring Fran Allison, a radio comedienne, and a group of puppets. The program was totally ad-libbed. And, coming a little later was one of the most popular children's shows – Bozo's Circus – produced both nationally and with local franchises.

Although most of the children's programs were for the young audience of 6-10 years old, historically there was one tremendously successful exception – the long-playing series, "Romper Room," targeting preschoolers, which began in 1953.

So, where does 4-H fit into all of this? You guessed it... at the beginning. Back in the early and mid-50s, it seemed to work this way: whenever a city starting broadcasting from their very first TV station, Extension was there. County and state Extension staff provided educational information to the station relating to agriculture, home economics, family living, gardening... and, of course, 4-H. Local Extension produced and hosted programs didn't appear until the mid-1950s to late 50s. 4-H television series started in the late 1950s, the first programs produced by Michigan State, but used not only throughout Michigan, but in a number of other states. The 4-H TV Electrical Series and 4-H TV Science Series were the first of these projects.

By the mid-1960s Extension indicated that they wanted more. Informal research conducted by the Extension Service and National 4-H Service Committee indicated the validity of the concept that 4-H produced television series could reach more young people, especially those not enrolled in the program, and that if planned and produced correctly, learning would take place. Extension Service, USDA supported the production of additional series and named Eleanor L. Wilson as the national 4-H TV coordinator. The National 4-H Service Committee also was committed to educational television for children and partnered with the national Extension office. Larry Krug, radio-television editor, National 4-H Service Committee, says that during this period 4-H met with many people who were getting involved in children's educational television programming to discuss 4-H's plans and to seek out their advise and to exchange ideas and concepts. He recalls while attending the first national conference on children's educational television, having a breakfast session with Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) and Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers Neighborhood). The following month Krug journeyed from Chicago to Boston to have a more in depth session with Joan Ganz Cooney and Peggy Charrin of Children's Television Workshop who were working on Sesame Street.

During the decade of the 70s, and into the early 80s, a number of 4-H television series were produced nationally, and by states for multi-state use. These included Mulligan Stew, Blue Sky Below My Feet, Dog Sense, TV Action Club, Teen Mobile Club, 4-H TV Fun on Wheels Club, 4-H Photo Fun Club, Living in a Nuclear Age, and perhaps more.

Millions of new 4-H members were enrolled... most from urban areas. The era of 4-H educational television series was an exciting one, and the visibility the different series produced for 4-H was impressive on a number of fronts.