Oh Bother!

      This week while I was babysitting I took the kid I was looking after to the library because there was a showing of the new Winnie the Pooh movie. Although the movie was entertaining and it was fun to watch part of my childhood come to life again, I was a little discomforted by some parts of the film. I noticed that there was a lot of misspelled words throughout the film. If you click HERE you can watch a short clip from the film where there are two examples of misspelled words.

      In the clip, they misspell the word tail, writing it instead as "tael" as well as honey being spelled "hunny." For adults, I think this misspelling is found somewhat adorable. People remember the years when they used to spell things in silly different ways simply because they didn't know any better. However, for children I do not think it is a good idea to have these errors. Although at some level it allows kids to connect with the characters, show them that the characters they love also have problems with reading and writing just like them. It's important for kids to be able to relate and see that they're not alone if they are struggling to learn how to read and write.
      However I think that this could possibly harm the kids developmentally. They do not know any better and just trust the TV shows and things they see around them. These incorrect spellings are reinforced in what they watch every time their beloved pooh bear is eating some "hunny." They learn how to spell one way and then have to be corrected, which can be frustrating and confusing. They continually see the cartoon figures they trust telling them one thing and then their parents and teachers are telling them another.
      I don't think its acceptable for films that children watch be allowed to intentionally misspell words because it could harm the children's development.

What effect do you think TV has on children? Do you think children understand the spelling is flawed or do they take it as truth?