''The Clyde Frog Show'' (stylized on-air as ''the CLYDE FROG show'') is a television program for children in the 1970s. It was produced by the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television (MAETV). In the show,

puppets A puppet is an object, often resembling a human, animal or mythical figure, that is animated or manipulated by a person called a puppeteer. The puppeteer uses movements of their hands, arms, or control devices such as rods or strings to mov ...

, most notably the title character, taught children about self-esteem, feelings, and attitudes. The program's entire run consisted of 28 episodes. Clyde Frog, however, originally appeared in another MAETV program entitled ''

About Safety ''About Safety'' is a children's educational television program which originated in 1972. It was produced by the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television. In the 3 to 6 minute shorts, marionettes, most notably Clyde Frog, taught childr ...

'', in which puppets were used to convey messages about

safety Safety is the state of being "safe", the condition of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Meanings There are two slightly dif ...

and

first aid First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with either a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery. It includes initial in ...

. ''About Safety'' ran for 47 episodes. The shows were quite successful, and MAETV syndicated the programs; thus, they were seen throughout the United States.

Educational goals

The

Mississippi Public Broadcasting Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) is the public broadcasting state network serving the U.S. state of Mississippi. It is owned by the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television (MAET), an agency of the state government that holds the lic ...

''School Resource Guide'' summarizes the goals of ''The Clyde Frog Show'': "This series is designed to help elementary children understand and better cope with their own feelings and attitudes. Each program contains a dramatization of typical events in the life of a child followed by a talk show segment. All of the puppet characters in the stories appear in the talk show to discuss their feelings." By grade level, the specific goals are: ''Kindergarten'': Explain healthy ways in which feelings may be expressed. Define individual responsibility and its relationship to one's self, family and community. ''First grade'': Identify factors that contribute to individuality. Identify the importance of expressing emotions in a healthy way. Define individual responsibility and its relationship to one's self, family, and community. ''Second grade'': Explain the importance of positive interpersonal relationships.

Episodes

There are 28 episodes total, each 3 to 6 minutes long. The episodes, as grouped roughly by subject into 10 groups by MAETV, are: # Big and Little – What Am I Good At? – Boys/Girls Are Supposed To... # It Hurts to Be Left Out – What's So Funny? – Being Scared # Clyde Stays Up Late – Dr. Frog's Birthday Present – Sincere Camera # All by Myself – Keeping Up with Your Stuff – Cooperating # Look What I Can Do! – Can't Do It Yet – Worrying # Friends – Doing Things Right – Clyde's Dinner Party # Making Decisions – Doing What You Think Is Right – Why Am I Punished? # Suzy's Test – Max's Story – Mrs. Mulch's Story # When Your Friend Moves Away – End-of-the-Year Blues – Clyde's Favorite Toy # Putting It All Together

In popular culture

The character Clyde Frog has been featured in several episodes of '' South Park'' as a favorite stuffed toy of Eric Cartman, serving as a way to help Cartman get ideas on his own. The toy was "killed" in the 2011 episode " 1%".1% (Season 15, Episode 12)
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Notes

References

* 1970s American children's television series American children's education television series Personal development television series American television shows featuring puppetry Television series about frogs 1973 American television series debuts 1974 American television series endings {{Mississippi-stub