Program Viewing Tips for Parents
FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman is a fun-filled, game show for kids. In every episode, the six "tween-age" contestants put their problem-solving skills to the test, model supportive teamwork, and courageously face challenges assigned them. Use the show to help your kids develop these same skills.
Here are some ways to use FETCH! with kids:
Before you watch FETCH!
- Learn about each episode by using the What's on FETCH! Web feature. The site tells you what episode is airing in your area on a particular day.
- Have kids think about the challenges that the contestants face in the episode. Explore how they might approach the problem Ruff is assigning.
As you watch FETCH!
- Tape the episode. This way, you can stop the show periodically to discuss what is happening and ask your kids how they might respond in a similar situation.
- Ask your kids to predict what they think will happen as the FETCH! contestants tackle the challenges.
- Encourage kids to talk about what the contestants are doing. Would they choose a different solution to the challenge?
- Discuss how the FETCH! contestants work together, learn from one another, and support each other during a challenge. How does their attitude help them to overcome their obstacles or anxieties? Ask what kind of support has helped your kids continue in challenging situations.
- Identify the problem-solving strategies the contestants use to tackle a challenge. (See below)
- Point out the experts that help cast members with their challenges. Ask kids to consider who they would ask for advice from their community if faced with the same challenge. Discuss the expert's job and if your kids think it would be a rewarding career.
After you watch FETCH!
- If your kids made a prediction at the beginning of the program, revisit it at the end of the show. Did the challenge turn out as they predicted?
- Do challenges at home. Find fun, engaging hands-on activities on the FETCH! Web site. Some take only a few minutes. Gather the necessary materials and try the activity before doing it with your kids.
- Encourage kids to think about how the challenges relate to their own interests and how they might challenge themselves in new and interesting ways.
- When faced with problems, remind kids to use problem-solving strategies from the show.
- After your child takes part in a contest or competition, recognize the value of participation and teamwork, no matter how well your child did. Identify what was learned during the experience and celebrate it.
In FETCH!, the contestants follow a basic set of problem-solving strategies to tackle the challenges. These strategies are the same ones that scientists and engineers use:
- Brainstorm solutions
- Make predictions
- Build and test (and rebuild and retest!)
- Share results
