Tot TV Watch

PBS Kids will be launching the second season of the interactive preschool block with Miss Lori and Hooper on September 3rd, 2007.  The new season will include new curriculum themes, more original music, and kid-created content with Dot’s Story Factory.  Super Why!, a new literacy-based series, will join the content line up beside favorites Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Dragon Tales.

The new curriculum themes will be presented in a structured format such as “Music Time,” “Math Time,” “Art, Time,” and “Reading Time.”  Kids will almost feel as if they are in a preschool classroom as they learn about letters, shapes, and colors.  They will also experience familiar environmental elements such as smocks, easels, mini tables and chairs, books and more.  Topics such as sharing and healthy habits will also be explored.

Miss Lori and Hooper, PBS Kids, Dot’s Story Factory, Super Why!, Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales

PBS Kids Sprout announced last week that they will be adding a new afternoon block, The Let’s Go Show, to their preschool line-up.  The new interactive show will debut on Monday, June 25th, and will encourage kids to ask questions, be curious about the world around them, and participate in a daily musical adventure.

(Image: http://www.fishwithfeet.com)

The Let’s Go Show, airing weekedays from 3:00-6:00 EDT, will be hosted by Miles (Milton Barnes) and his puppy friend Banjo.  Each day, the two of them will embark on a new musical journey where they will make many new discoveries, play, and learn.  After each show, kids can go to SproutOnline.com to find out more about the questions posed on the show.

Here are some of the things you can expect to see on The Let’s Go Show:

– Learn a song and have a “boogie woogie break” at Music Hill;
— Enjoy a special healthy snack prepared for them by Brussel Sprout at the Sprout Diner Field;
— Create age-appropriate science experiments at Wonder Why Valley;
— Encourage viewers to become “Sprout Scouts” by helping Miles and Banjo find their way to each location by asking questions;
— Inspire kids to be creative and discover all the great things they can make and do at home with their parents and caregivers.

PBS Kids, Sprout, Preschool, The Let’s Go Show, Miles, Milton Barns, Banjo

It’s A Big Big World is an interesting title for a show that focuses on a single tree community. However, when you look a little closer, you see that the tree represents the world on a larger scale. The World Tree is home to a variety of animals including Snook, an energetic tree sloth who helps his friends learn about the world around them; Burdette, a Quetzal bird who is a bit of a know-it-all; Smooch and Winslow, a pair of sibling Marmosets who like to stir things up; Madge, a turtle with a map of the world on her shell; Bob, a Southern Tamandua who loves ants and likes to stir things up; Ick, the crabby catfish who lives in the water hole at the bottom of the tree; Oko, an old Howler Monkey and Tai Chi master; and Wartz, the agreeable Red-Eyed Tree Frog. Each animal has different characteristics and contributes to the tree community in their own way. Amazingly, all of the animals manage to get along and live in harmony, even with their differences.

In the World Tree, the tallest tree in the rain forest, Snook and his friends have many adventures and learn about the world using the methods of scientific investigation. It’s a Big Big World helps kids learn about animals and science through the process of discovery and promotes a better understanding of geography, environment, and community. Each episode also includes original music that features sounds from around the world. The show is produced using the patented Shadowmation, a combination of puppetry and computer generated animation. The result is a high-definition picture with very vivid colors.

After viewing the show, kids can go to the It’s A Big Big World web site to play games and find other activites that build on the ideas presented in the show.

While I will admit that the show moved a little slow for me, it does appear to accomplish its goals of teaching children ages three to six about science and the environment. When you are tired of ABC’s and 123’s, it is definitely a worthy alternative.

It’s A Big Big World can be seen on PBS Kids. Check local listings for times.

It’s A Big Big World, Shadowmation, science, environment, geography, scientific method, animals, World Tree, community, PBS Kids

Yesterday, April 22nd, was Earth Day and people everywhere are talking about ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to slow down the damage we are inflicting on the Earth. It is important to teach kids early on about the benefits of taking care of our planet. Recently there have been several new kids’ TV shows that focus on teaching kids about the environment, including Johnny and the Sprites and It’s a Big Big World. A deal was recently signed for a new series called Snapper, that will focus on the environment as well.

I’ll be posting information about those three shows later this week, but in the meantime you can explore some of these great Earth Day activities offered around the web:

• Disney’s Guide for Grown-ups lists several kid-friendly activities, as well as a list of links to other pages related to Earth Day.
• PBS Kids has a list of activities, information about connecting kids to nature, and a list of books about nature divided by age groups. You can also watch three new videos from Milkshake about taking care of the Earth.

Earth Day, Earth, environment, planet, Johnny and the Sprites, It’s a Big Big World, Snapper, Disney, PBS Kids, Milkshake

March 20th is International Earth Day and PBS is celebrating! PBS Kids will be celebrating “Share the Earth Day” by running all new episodes of It’s a Big Big World, special online activities, resources for parents and teachers, and several other Earth Day themed shows.

The new episodes of It’s a Big Big World begin on Friday, March 16th. On March 20th, kids can learn about taking care of the environment and doing their part with Miss Lori and Hooper during the preschool block. There will be Earth Day themed episodes of Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales, and It’s a Big Big World, as well as music videos from the band Milkshake.

During the PBS Kids Go! programming block, kids can learn about cleaning up the planet and responsibility during episodes of Arthur, Maya & Miguel, Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman, and Cyberchase.

The PBS Kids web site will offer games and activities to help children think about what they can do to help the environment and take care of the Earth. To help them put the concepts into action and apply them to real life, PBS Parents will offer resources and ideas for parents to share with their children and encourage them to explore nature and take an active role in protecting the planet.

PBS, PBS Kids, PBS Kids Go!, International Earth Day, Miss Lori and Hooper, Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales, It’s a Big Big World, Arthur, Maya & Miguel, Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman, Cyberchase

Valentine’s Day is only a week away and even though some adults may not be fond of the holiday, the kids will be filled with excitement. I remember decorating an empty shoe box, cutting a hole in the top, and anticipating the collection of cards and candy that would soon fill it up. There was nothing more exciting than watching that “special” boy or girl drop a card in your Valentine’s Day box and hoping that there was something even more special written on it. Those days are only memories now, but I can still enjoy Valentine’s Day with my little Valentine at home. And how will we be celebrating? By watching a few Valentine’s specials on TV of course!

PBS Kids will be running “Clifford’s Valentine’s Day Special: Love at First Bark”. You can also check out Arthur’s “Flea to Be You and Me” and “Kiss and Tell”, Cyberchase’s “Hugs & Witches”, and Maya & Miguel’s “Cupid” on PBS Kids Go!.

Nick Jr. will be airing three brand new Valentine’s Day episodes including “Sammy’s Valentine” on Go, Diego, Go!, “Special Delivery” on the Backyardigans, and “Mr. Valentine” on Wow! Wow! Wubzy!. There are also lots of fun Valentine’s activities and printables on the Nick Jr. web site.

If that doesn’t give you enough options, Playhouse Disney is celebrating the “Big Day of Hearts” by running Valentine’s Day specials of Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jojo’s Circus, and Higglytown Heroes.

Valentine’s Day, kids’ tv, specials, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS Kids Go!, Clifford, Arthur, Cyberchase, Maya and Miguel, Nick Jr., Go Diego Go, Backyardigans, Wow! Wow! Wubzy!, Playhouse Disney, Big Day of Hearts, Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jojo’s Circus, Higgleytown Heroes