Tot TV Watch

Playhouse Disney’s new computer animated series My Friends Tigger and Pooh is set to premiere Saturday, May 12. Much like Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger and Pooh will feature classic characters with an updated look that is sure to attract young viewers.

The new show will feature Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, and all of their classic friends, as well as newcomer Darby and her dog Buster. Darby is a 6-year-old red-haired girl who is a bit of a tomboy. Along with her new friends, she will explore and discover the Hundred Acre Woods.

Each episode of My Friends Tigger and Pooh will consist of two 11-minute stories, sing-a-longs, and repeated theme music. The show will tackle problem solving on a preschool level and explore educational themes. It will cover concepts such as how to work with others, resisting the urge for immediate gratification, the value of patience and reasoning, and a sense of responsibility to the environment and community.

Games, video clips, and activities, including a printable Super Sleuth Pack, can be found on Playhouse Disney online.

Tune in for the premiere episode Saturday, May 12th, at 10:00/9:00c and another new episode Sunday, May 13th.

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May 7-11 is Mystery week on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Mickey and his pals need some super sleuth skills to help them solve a new mystery every day.

Mickey Mouse and his friends at the clubhouse have come a long way since they originally debuted. In the new CG animated Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, kids help Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Pluto solve a problem each day using basic skills appropriate for the preschool set. The show presents cognitive, creative, and social learning opportunities. It also features two original songs by They Might Be Giants, including the opening theme song.

Tune in each day this week at 7:30/8:30c to watch the following episodes:

* Monday, May 7 - Mickey-Go-Seek
* Tuesday, May 8 - Daisy Bo Peep
* Wednesday, May 9 - Donald and the Beanstalk
* Thursday, May 10 - Pluto’s Ball
* Friday, May 11 - Mickey’s Treasure Hunt

Kids can also play Mickey’s Treasure Hunt and print out coloring pages at Playhouse Disney online.

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Saturday, May 5th, is “Cinco de Mayo“, a day that Mexicans celebrate freedom and liberty. To help preschoolers celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Noggin is having a fiesta. Tune in to Noggin Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. Central to join in on the party. Dora, Diego, Blue, and all of the rest of your kids’ favorite Noggin pals will be there.

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Even in infancy, it was obvious that my son loved music. I started playing music for him early on and when he was old enough, started searching for TV shows that featured kids music I could actually stand. That is around the time that I discovered Jack’s Big Music Show. From that point on, our TV seemed to be stuck on Noggin. If you are a regular reader of this site, then you know that I tend to write a lot about shows that air on Noggin and my toddler is the main reason. He loves it and I love that they don’t show a million commercials.

Recently I’ve been “shopping around” for some new shows because I pretty much have all of the Noggin shows memorized. My biggest criteria for a show is that is has music that isn’t completely annoying to listen to over and over again (educational value is a big plus as well). It is easy to find kids shows with music, but not so easy to find kids shows with music that adults can stand to listen to as well. That’s why I’ve put together this list of my “Top 5 Shows to Get Your Preschooler Singing and Dancing”. In all of the following shows, the music is bearable and the dance moves you might see from your toddlers and preschoolers while they are watching are priceless.

Here is the list (in no particular order):

1. Jack’s Big Music Show - Shocking, eh? I just absolutely love this show. The music is great. The characters are entertaining, and it always captivates my son.
2. The Backyardigans - The music in this show is so catchy I tend to go around singing it for hours (or sometimes days) after I watch an episode. I just love the song about the “scurvy pirate”.
3. Hi 5 - I’ve seen both bad and good reviews on this show, but I don’t think it is so bad. The music encourages kids to get up and be active while still including educational aspects.
4. Sesame Steet - This one pretty much goes without saying. I don’t think I’ve ever known a kid who didn’t like Sesame Street. Some of the music that I watched as a kid still sticks with me today. Anyone for a “Ladybug Picnic?”
5. The Little Einsteins - The great thing about this show is that it introduces Classical music in a fun way to preschoolers. The songs are catchy enough to get my toddler moving, but are teaching him about some of the fundamentals of music at the same time.

Obviously there are tons more that I haven’t included here, some intentionally, some not. What shows get your preschooler groovin’?

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The Muppet Newsflash reports that Sesame Workshop will be releasing two new direct to DVD videos this summer. The first, entitled “Sesame Street: Kids Favorite Country Songs,” will be released on June 5, 2007 and is currently available for pre-sale. This country music festival will feature Elmo and his cousin Elmer, along with several celebrity country stars including: Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, John Mceuen, John Popper, Allison Krauss, and Johnny Cash.

The second DVD release, entitled “Sesame Street: Ready for School,” will follow Elmo and his friends as they get ready for their first day of school. The release date for this one is July 24, 2007, just in time to help prepare any kiddos heading off to school in the Fall. It can also be pre-ordered now.

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