The Zoomers Retrospective

There’s no telling what’s in store for the children of Gen Alpha and beyond. With so much exposure to digital devices and delays in education, it looks like we are in the middle of a youth development dilemma. The likes of influencers and content creators such as Dhar Mann, Pinkfong, Blippi, and of course, COCOMELON, are taking mainstream and presenting mixed reactions. Before this new digital age was introduced to the public, children were entertained by more comforting content such as Bill Nye, Leapfrog, Mister Rogers, and Sesame Street. Now as the old clashes with the new, the future of children’s entertainment remains uncertain. Caleb Tegtmeier examines why even among a field of bad seeds, there still lies that shimmer of hope.

Picture this: it’s nine o’clock on a warm summer evening. You’re nestled into bed with your lamp illuminating your room and the serenading sonance of crickets outside. Yearning to lean away from an oncoming slumber, your parents divulge you with the passing pictures and prose of a paperback in the hopes that you might finally settle down. With big-name authors such as Dr. Seuss, Beatrix Potter, Eric Carle, and Mary Pope Osborne, or even lesser-knowns like Helen Lester, Patricia Polacco, Mercer Mayer, and David Biedrzycki, there was nothing more calming and cherished than a children’s book. Zoomers Retrospective host Joel Bierbower addresses some of his favorite children’s books as well as the importance of the genre as a whole.

There is nothing in this world more resounding and soothing than playing your favorite online flash games. Whether they made you feel proud or gave you anxiety, you always gained something from the experience. From early exposures like AtoZap, Starfall, and KidPix to slightly more mature sites such as FunBrain, CoolMath, and Poptropica, there was something different for everyone! AmunRa Jordan brings his personal love for old-school flash games into the conversation.

Oreos, Pop Tarts, Nesquik, Lunchables; where have you run across these brand names? Perhaps at home, the supermarket, school, or even the gas station on a family road trip. These brands, however, are most fondly remembered for their sporadically aired commercials in addition to the undeniable tang they left on our tastebuds! Stuti Sitesh and her passion for eats are the basis for this prime discussion on our favorite childhood snacks.

Barbie, Hot Wheels, Nerf, Leapfrog; what do those brands mean to us? What’s their significance? It’s no surprise that we’ve come across these names one way or another, whether by way of a commercial, a visit to a shopping center, the schoolyard, or even a play date. And we all raved about getting them! Hayden Korn comes on board to discuss why these notorious commercial products were such a fad for our time.

How many times have you scoured your entertainment centers for a stimulating release of color, comedy, and composition? And all in the form of a little black box or an optical disc! Whether as an after-school or weekend binge, these digital diversions have provided a long-lasting impression in more ways than one. Caleb Tegtmeier looks back on this near-obscure form of entertainment and why it is just as important now as it was back then.

Through its simplistic concepts and fun-filled engagement, PBS Kids has played a large role in our early education, ultimately going on to define modern children’s television for the better. Spawning a lineup of familiar titles including Arthur, Dragon Tales, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Cyberchase, Super Why, and of course, Sesame Street. Bryan Nguyen, whose undeniable love for the channels surpasses all the rest, speaks on why they had a lasting impact on his own education.

As the go-to place for classic animated content, Cartoon Network has without a doubt earned its rightful place in filling our Saturday mornings with laughter and leisure. Adventure Time, Regular Show, Chowder, and The Amazing World of Gumball are just a few of the defining shows on the channel, as well as staples such as Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. Mackenzie Noble, who shares a profound undying love for the channel, gives her insight into why it made her a better person.

Love it or hate it, Disney has always been a part of our lives in some fashion. Whether you grew up on its remarkable line of film franchises or theme parks, you know you had it good whenever you tuned into its TV channels. With animated classics such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, and Phineas and Ferb, as well as live-action favorites like Good Luck Charlie, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, you can never go wrong with this television staple! Disney enthusiast and former Disney World cast member Kyra Rempe reminisces about her favorite memories growing up with the House of Mouse.

What would we do without Nickelodeon, Noggin, and Nick Jr.? From its household jingle to its paramountcy on slime, it just wouldn’t be complete without its content. Popular shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and The Backyardigans were birthed from these channels, as well as a wide array of underrated comfort shows that won the hearts of millions. Nick fanatic Mikayla Young shares her thoughts and opinions on the beloved nostalgia behemoth.