Centering Play in Children’s Media with Teletubbies Co-creator Andy Davenport
04/22/25 • 40 min
Haeny and Nathan welcome to the show Andy Davenport, one of the creators of the hit children’s show Teletubbies. Find out about the origins of the show, the inspiration behind the teletubbies themselves, and Davenport’s background in children’s language development that all contribute to the show we know and love. This deep dive into the world of Teletubbies with its rolling hills and baby sun will get deep into why play is so vital to children’s experience of media.
Correction: We know spongebob lives in a pineapple under the sea, not “a little house underground” as Haeny says in the episode. Don't @ us.
For transcripts of this episode, to learn about our guests, and more, visit our website. Follow now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or search “Pop and Play” wherever you listen to Podcasts and subscribe!
Our music is selections from Leaf Eaters by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.
Pop and Play is produced by the Digital Futures Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.
Haeny and Nathan welcome to the show Andy Davenport, one of the creators of the hit children’s show Teletubbies. Find out about the origins of the show, the inspiration behind the teletubbies themselves, and Davenport’s background in children’s language development that all contribute to the show we know and love. This deep dive into the world of Teletubbies with its rolling hills and baby sun will get deep into why play is so vital to children’s experience of media.
Correction: We know spongebob lives in a pineapple under the sea, not “a little house underground” as Haeny says in the episode. Don't @ us.
For transcripts of this episode, to learn about our guests, and more, visit our website. Follow now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or search “Pop and Play” wherever you listen to Podcasts and subscribe!
Our music is selections from Leaf Eaters by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.
Pop and Play is produced by the Digital Futures Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.
Previous Episode
Children as Creative Collaborators with Story Pirates
In this episode, Haeny and Nathan talk with two of the creators of the award-winning kids and family podcast Story Pirates! Co-founder and Creative Director Lee Overtree and Co-founder and CEO Jamie Salka join to talk about how to treat children as true collaborators, both in podcasting, as well as the many other forms of media Story Pirates is creating including books, music and television. We’re warning you in advance: they talk a lot about Northwestern University - but they tie it all in to the creative communities and spaces that gave rise to their approach to making things with children and as artists and storytellers. Also, did you know that Story Pirates responds to tens of thousands of stories submitted to them by kids each year? Listen for more on the story behind the Story Pirates.
For transcripts of this episode, to learn about our guests, and more, visit our website.
Our music is selections from Leaf Eaters by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.
Pop and Play is produced by the Digital Futures Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.
Next Episode
What Are Kids Watching? (With Kids!)
What kinds of shows and media are kids into these days? Haeny and Nathan go straight to the source to find out: kids, of course! Their guests this week are three pairs of kids aged six, eleven, and sixteen. They share their viewing habits and opinions, talk about who they watch with, and Haeny and Nathan learn that “kids media” and “adult media” aren’t always such separate things after all.
For transcripts of this episode, to learn about our guests, and more, visit our website. Follow now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or search “Pop and Play” wherever you listen to Podcasts and subscribe!
Our music is selections from Leaf Eaters by Podington Bear, Licensed under CC (BY-NC) 3.0.
Pop and Play is produced by the Digital Futures Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.
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