Conveying Love For Animals To Children Through Animated Cartoons: Niloya

Abstract

In this study, the animated cartoon series "Niloya," which is broadcast on the children's television channel TRT Çocuk and targets preschool and school-aged children, is examined. Animals hold an important place in the world of children, just as humans and nature do. Therefore, depicting animals in animated cartoons makes them significant for children's education. The role of animated cartoons in conveying values to children is an undeniable fact. This study investigates the teaching of love for animals to children and traces the relationship between humans and animals through the Niloya animated cartoon series. For this purpose, 37 episodes of the cartoon were selected using purposive sampling technique and analyzed through narrative analysis method. As a result of the study, scenes depicting friendship between humans and animals were frequently observed in the examined episodes. Topics such as the necessity of extending a helping hand to animals living in need, the social and emotional benefits of pet ownership for children, the sense of getting to know and exploring new animals, and the importance of not harming animals were addressed in the atmosphere of the animated cartoon. Throughout all the analyzed episodes, expressions of love for animals, cooperation, friendship, spending time with them, playing with them, and human support towards animals were evident.