Is
CBeebies the best kids telly...
evah?! Discover and Do, Big-Fun Time and Charlies favourite - the Bedtime Hour - punctuate our days and as it's all so entertaining and educational, I'm all for it. I'm not convinced by
Cerrie and Alex (yet) but they've a very hard act to follow. Chris and
Pui had been a fixture on the
CBeebies bedtime hour for so long that even if Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand had taken over as presenters, they'd have struggled. Nothing stays the same, of course. And just when you're getting the hang of the schedules - Space Pirates, Grandpa in my Pocket,
Chugga and then
Iggoo-
Igooo at six, along comes something new. Charlie was becoming quite a fan of 3rd and Bird, for example, only for it to be replaced the other day by 64 Zoo Lane. Thankfully a brand-new
3rd and Bird website has been launched, so we can still sing along to all the tunes and find out more about our favourite characters. It's worth a look for parents, too, with a dedicated section entitled 'Help for Parents' as well as links to lesson activities from the
RSPB - how appropriate.
Music is an integral part of 3rd and Bird of course, and I've been
intrigued by the singing. Like
Chuggington, the show originated in the US but is re-recorded with a range of UK voices - but how old are those singers? If they're as young as they sound, then they're highly-skilled musicians; if they're not, then the results are quite convincing. As the site says, 'the vibrant treetop community of 3rd & Bird is alive with singing, whistling and dancing'. And - best news of all - the songs are all there on the website, too. Except for one - I can't find Charlie's favourite, Baby Jordan. In fact, I can't find any mention of him. Have we dreamt him? Is he real? Have they given him the bird? I might have to check out the new DVD to find out. Watch this space!
Careful Dotterell, Cebbies is taking over your mind!!
ReplyDeleteJump jump jump
ReplyDeleteClap clap clap
Just like baby Jordan!
Seriously though? 3rd and Bird is American? And Chuggington too? Oh noes!
What I find disturbing is how quickly I have become indoctrinated into the CBeebies world and have subliminally learnt all the songs! It's weird what our kids favour too - Tom loves In The Night Garden which, I guess, given his age is a given... but he also loves Mr Maker too, especially The Shapes. I think he's attracted by the music.
ReplyDeleteMy how quickly Cbeebies changes. The only show I recognised was 64Zoo Lane! Big Cook Little Cook was a particular favourite of N3S. I was very upset when he outgrew CBeebies and moved onto Play House Disney as I wasn't ready to stop watching CBeebies yet!
ReplyDeleteSomeone else was mentioning 3rd and Bird - and do you know what?? I've never even heard of it. Call myself a parent?? Well, you see, we're a bit stuck on Nick Jr and Tiny Pop nad otehr such channels. Now if this post were about Dora or Peppa Pig or even Land Before Time then I'd be able to give my opinion...but 3rd and Bird?? I'll just have to take your word for it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that 3rd and Bird link, Max was getting into that, and it was a very good, bath-filler-upper-occupier.
ReplyDeleteI am in the middle of writing a post about kids' tv - a bit of synchronicity. CBeebies is a wonderful channel, and now mine are older, so are CITV and CBBC. They are so lucky to have such good programmes made especially for them. x
ReplyDeleteI know, I know - and it's probably too late, Sub.
ReplyDeleteOh, you know the words, Ruth. Thanks!
Those shapes are rather sinister, Steve - "I am - a rectangle" especially. But - yes - it gets under your skin.
I missed it when Sally graduated to CBBC, Denyse, so I'm delighted to have an excuse to watch again!
Take a look at the web-site, MT. You'll be charmed, honestly.
Oh yes, it's that perfect bath-time programme, SPD. Much as I like 64 Zoo Lane, it doesn't hold Charlie's attention in the same way as the singing, whistling birds.
Well, well - I must take a look Kitty. This is the second post I've done on kid's TV and, somehow, I don't think it'll be the last!
This appears as a parallel universe to anybody like myself who doesn't have kids!
ReplyDeleteLove CBeebies! Daughter even wnats to rush home on Fridays for "Kerwhizz"! I love "Nina and the Neurons" being a scientist, but "Mr Maker" is the bane of my life. I can't tell you how many of his creations I've tried to recreate in my kitchen with daughter saying "that's not how he does it". Grrrr!
ReplyDeleteBring back Daktari and Pinky & Perky, I say - (the black and white version that is). Oh, and Crackerjack xxxx
ReplyDeleteWe love CBeebies. The girls are HUGE Chugginton fans. |After we went to the launch, I think they think I had something to do with making it.
ReplyDeleteHighlighting your blog on mummy bloggers this week...
I know it's not a Cbeebies programme but there's a new programme on NickJR - 'Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom' - similar to Peppa Pig (made by same people) - I love it!! lol
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the many dimensions in the universe of childhood, Gadjo. At the last count there were at least sixteen...
ReplyDeleteWe're rather haunted by the Mr Maker shapes here, WM. But Charlie's much too young - yet - to want to make any of his stuff. Phew!
CRACK-ER-JAAAACCCK! (Do I get the pencil, Jenny?)
Wow, MM - let's RI-IDE the rails!
I must admit Charlie likes Peppa, too. We have to start the day with 'Milkshake' of Five, just for Thomas and Friends!
This is the second consequetive blog I have read tonight which has brought back fond memories - this one of when Amy was little and used to love the bedtime hour. She still watches 64 Zoo Lane now and she's 9!
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
Igoo Igoo! We love him too bless his little red blanket. However, while my Charlie loved Third and Bird I absolutely couldn't stand it; parTICularly the baby Jordan song! Jump jump jump - ack ack ack... I was mightily happy when it disappeared I have to say. Chuggington however - what a hit, we love it to bits round ours. Ceebeebies: easy ice-breaker with parents you've never met before...
ReplyDeleteIgoo Igoo! We love him too bless his little red blanket. However, while my Charlie loved Third and Bird I absolutely couldn't stand it; parTICularly the baby Jordan song! Jump jump jump - ack ack ack... I was mightily happy when it disappeared I have to say. Chuggington however - what a hit, we love it to bits round ours. Ceebeebies: easy ice-breaker with parents you've never met before...
ReplyDeleteRoss and Brand on Cbeebies? Now there's a frightening thought!!
ReplyDeleteSerendipity, CJ!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about 3rd and Bird, Sparx. But it's really grown on me now - and not just because Charlie likes it, either. I can't stand Big Cook/Little Cook, but Charlie seems to like it.
Actually, you're right. They'd probably both end up suspended then where would we be?