The differences among children's programs we watch that are made in Japan, Iran, and the US are fascinating.

The differences among children's programs we watch that are made in Japan, Iran, and the US are fascinating.

- Japanese shows typically revolve around whimsical, magical characters that are based on things you interact with daily -- often, food items. For example, different kinds of breads (as in Anpanman), or a lazy egg (as in Gudetama). 

- Iranian shows are very mythical, historical, cultural -- there are often kings, shepherds, good and evil spirits, horses, knights. There are layers upon layers to the story -- you can almost see the stories having been developed over thousands of years, by the various peoples and cultures that inhabited the flat steppes or mountain valleys of Iran. 

- US shows are very practical, teaching kids things like brushing their teeth, going to sleep, covering their mouth when they sneeze (eg, Cocomelon); and even things like how to control emotions, feel feelings (Daniel Tiger). It's almost like the programs were made to help you parent. 

They are all amazing and insightful, and we are lucky to have access to all of them.