EVEN since first airing on our TV screens in 2000, Dora the Explorer has been asking children to help her find things.
However, an eagle-eyed student’s innocent observation about the beloved animated character has left people completely stumped.
Teacher Nina took to TikTok to share the pupil’s wild guess – and it’s left people stumped[/caption]
Millions were incredibly impressed by the child’s observation skills – but do YOU agree with the theory?[/caption]
It happened when a teacher, Nina Montanez, posted a now-viral classroom moment on TikTok.
“My student had me genuinely concerned until I realised they made a valid observation,” she captioned the clip.
The camera stays fixed on the teacher’s face, but the child’s logic steals the show.
“She’s blind,” the observant pupil insists matter-of-factly.
The teacher repeats back: “You think Dora’s blind?”
“No. I know that she is, because she never looks at the thing she’s talking about. She never does,” the kid doubles down, fully confident about the wild theory.
“She’s literally looking at nowhere.”
At that moment, the teacher, like the rest of TikTok users, is completely stunned by the child’s take.
Dora the Explorer has been airing since 2000. For those who didn’t grow up watching her, Dora the Explorer is a bilingual adventurer who embarks on quests with her monkey companion Boots.
In the show, Dora often pauses to ask the viewers for help, waits for their response, and then continues as though she’s heard it.
The beloved show is designed as an interactive educational tool to teach problem-solving, Spanish words, and observational skills.
But it’s exactly those pauses and questions that the child in the classroom has focused on.
How long should kids be on screens?
Dr Amanda, who’s a parenting expert and child psychologist gave a general guide for parents who wish to limit screen time.
Age 1-3 years old
How long: 5 minutes per year of life in one sitting
Dr Gummer says: “If you are really hoping your child will learn from the screen time they have then one rule of thumb is that on average children can concentrate for 5 minutes per year of their life (i.e. 15 minutes at age 3).”
Age 1+
How long: 1 hour per day
Dr Gummer says: “For younger children we feel that around 1 hour per day is a sensible limit to aim for on a regular weekday.
“Once you add together time on mobile devices, TV, computers and other devices with screens this may not seem like much (and remember children may get screen time at school).”
Age 2+
How long: 2 hour per day
Dr Gummer says: “Various sources including the American Academy of Paediatrics recommend no more than 2 hours per day (for children aged 2 and over).”
Children of all ages
Over two hours a day is excessive usage
Dr Gummer says: “A recent study saw some detrimental effects in teenagers that used more than 3 hours per day of screen time and consider this ‘excessive usage’
‘Boots is her service animal!’
The shocking theory, uploaded under the username @withthatnina_, has taken the internet by storm, amassing more than an astronomical 16million views.
Thousands took to comments, where one said: “Omg Dora IS blind and we all failed her.”
Another pointed out: “Omg BOOTS IS HER SERVICE ANIMALLLLL!”
“She has a talking map, she can’t see swiper .. she’s onto something here,” a third added.
Many, meanwhile, suggested that the Map and Backpack could be seen as accessibility aids, helping her navigate the world.
Others were incredibly impressed by the child’s observation skills.
“Are you teaching a genius OR are we being taught by one?” a user questioned.
“Protect this child’s critical thinking and observation skills at all costs,” a second declared.
