Nick Jr, Tv Channel

...the channels I came across NICK JR.
It wasn't as if I had never heard of the channel before as It used to be available years ago whilst I was still at school, although I was too old to watch it at the time, but used to be well into Nickelodeon, awww remember kenan and kel and sister sister just a few of my favs :O)
I was just in dire need of a change.

Seeing as my daughter was just getting into Dora the Explorer, I was ...
...too.

Now NICK JR is part of the Nickelodeon Television Network, which is a package of 4 Nickelodeon channels for kids.
Nickelodeon mainly focuses on the older child and early teen
(I used to watch this when I was younger)
Nick Replay is basically a +1 channel, which lets you catch up on anything you have missed on Nickelodeon an hour after first being aired.
Also included in the package is NICK TOONS a channel ... more

I actually stumbled upon this channel by accident, whilst flicking through the channels one day.
After many years of watching cbeebies (bbc channel for pre school children) I felt it was time for a change.
Mainly because we had been watching the channel almost every day for nearly 4 years (not continuously obviously only for a few hours each day) and by now I think we probably had seen every episode of each programme shown at least twice over if not more :O)
It probably didn't bother Chloe or Lee, but was definitely starting to get to me.
And there's only so many times you can sit there and watch the teletubbies over and over again without before getting seriously phased by it, i am sure you know what I mean :O)

So anyway whilst flicking through the channels I came across NICK JR.
It wasn't as if I had never heard of the channel before as It used to be available years ago whilst I was still at school, although I was too old to watch it at the time, but used to be well into Nickelodeon, awww remember kenan and kel and sister sister just a few of my favs :O)
I was just in dire need of a change.

Seeing as my daughter was just getting into Dora the Explorer, I was extremely pleased to find that on the first occasion I turned onto this channel it was showing at the time. What luck EH!!

Ooooh look Chloe who's that I said, trying to get her really involved so we didn't have to flick it back to cbeebies.
Now generally if I had turned it over without permission (yeah I know and i am meant to be the parent) we would have had a screaming fit, although in this case she was perfectly fine :O)
YES! Mummy was back in control :O) and lee couldn't be bothered either way, much more interested in his cars.

She sat there and watched it all the way through without a peep and then quite to my surprise after it had finished another episode was on straight after.
Seeing as she had just been so good with the new change I let her sit there and watch that one too.

Now NICK JR is part of the Nickelodeon Television Network, which is a package of 4 Nickelodeon channels for kids.
Nickelodeon mainly focuses on the older child and early teen
(I used to watch this when I was younger)
Nick Replay is basically a +1 channel, which lets you catch up on anything you have missed on Nickelodeon an hour after first being aired.
Also included in the package is NICK TOONS a channel dedicated to all popular Nickelodeon cartoons and last but not least NICK JR which is the channel I am currently reviewing (if you by somehow didn't realise yet) and is aimed towards Preschoolers and children in the early years of primary school.

What makes NICK JR so special???????

They say that their programming helps to promote social and thinking skills through playful entertainment.
Most importantly they collaborate with preschoolers to help capture lots of different aspects of what they like and how they play in order to provide them with the best possible shows they can.
Stating that Play-to-learn is part of every single TV show shown on this channel and how each programme reflects and celebrates the events in preschoolers lives.
Also by watching these shows they invite children to think, respond, feel, listen, and grow.

Saying this I'm sure every single children's television station wants to offer the best possible viewing in order to get higher ratings and each have a special mission statement letting you believe that they are the best one to choose because...

But seeing as I was in need of a change this just happened to be the one I opted for.

What does NICK JR have to offer???

Currently they are showing up to 20 different shows, although I don't want to list them here for you now when you are able to view them here: http://www.nickjr.co.uk/schedule/nick/NickSchedule.aspx
The programmes start as early as 6 in the morning and go all the way through the day and evening all the way up until 9.30 at night.
Thought I'd spare you a bit of reading time, you'll thank me later!

I will let you into a few of our favs though and yes you did hear me correctly 'OUR' but how could you expect me not to actually fall in love with this channel when there's just so much more on offer.
(Ask me this question in another few years and I will probably be back to searching for a new one lol)

Here goes:

01 - Peppa Pig
You may have already heard of this programme before as it is currently being shown on channel 5, but if not then you'll be happy to see that Peppa is a Sweet, lovely, Adorable and not forgetting extremely Cheeky little pig who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig.
Also you will get to see Granny and Grandpa pig and many of Peppa's little friends who include Candy cat, Suzie Sheep and Pedro Pony but to name a few
They get up to various adventures all aimed at a day in the life of a typical preschooler within a 5 min episode.
Great to keep the kids attention for a while although perhaps over all a little to quickly (blink and you'll miss it) although if your lucky enough to catch it at 3.30pm you get four little episodes after one another which last just over 20 mins.

02 - Max and ruby (showing daily at 10.00am)
Never seen anywhere else and never heard of before, I was pleasantly pleased to see that this cartoon was about the adventures of a bunny Brother and bunny Sister
Obviously they are called Max and Ruby and you get to see how different they really are max is a very curious stubborn three year old bunny (like any normal 3year old then) and Ruby his slight older sister who I'd say is about 7 or 8 is much more keen on getting her own way and being in charge.
Ruby always tries to plan something for the day but things just never seem to go to plan, as max always seems to want to do the complete opposite although in the end everything seems to turn out right.
This is one of my favs and has a very catchy theme tune.

03 - Fifi and the Flowertots
This is another shown that has had a lot of attention recently and is another one shown on channel 5 too.
This is about the day in the life of a little flowertot called Fifi Forget-me-not and by her name i am sure it's easy to see she is extremely forgetful.
"Fifi - Forget-Me-Not Forgot" is a common phrase used throughout this programme.
Although with the help of her flowertot friends, Bumble the Bumble Bee, Violet the Violet, Primrose the Primrose and all the other characters she always manages to remember what she had forgotten, with a little help form her friends.
This is shown at 6.00pm daily and is the last bit of telly my two watches before we start the bedtime routine.
Two episodes are shown at once after one another and last for about 20 mins in total.
My daughter has already obtained a lot of Fifi merchandise and i am sure will be a firm favourite of hers for a few more years yet.

Other shows we watch include:
Thomas The tank engine - One of Lee's favs along with Bob the Builder and not forgetting Dora the Explorer.

The NICK JR style of programming doesn't include the need for actual real life presenters, but does included presenting in the form of puppets and cartoons.
Between the hours of 6am - 9am two wiggly worms called Arnie and Barnie greet you.
They have their own little morning show and greet you with singing 'The Wiggle Song' and if you so wish have the chance to join in too.
Then after 9am up until 7pm you are entertained by the adorable (3d cartoon image of) Piper The Possum.
Each in their original little ways help present to your kids what is coming up next.

With so much on offer Its hard not to just sit there all day in front of the box and not move, but being one for encouraging my kids to experience a range of things we only have it on a couple of hours each day.
But seeing as each programme is on at varied times throughout the day, I tend to quickly switch it off after each one has finished before they start getting into other programmes too.
One good thing is that they are still not completely use to using the sky remote so they can't switch it back on when I'm not looking hehehe.

Now besides having fantastic programmes they also have created something called "NICKTRITION"
This includes a range of 2 - 3 min episodes on throughout the day encouraging why it is really good and incredibly cool to eat plenty of fruit and veg and how tasty it can be.
And how important having a healthy varied balanced diet is!
Something I hope will eventually encourage my son to start doing, as he is complete murder for this, whereas my daughter can eat fruit and veg for ENGLAND!! And especially loves her sprouts :OP (Honest!!)
One of the mini episodes include "Yummy Yummy in my Tummy" a show which usually shows a parent and child having fun in the kitchen together preparing and tucking into their favourite healthy meal.
I think they are trying to get the point across of if you let your kids help within the process of preparing their own meals they are more likely to sit down and enjoy what they are eating.
Another mini show included is "The Lunchtime Song" I sometimes use this as the perfect distraction to be able to turn the TV off, as the kids know lunchtime isn't far away.
The lyrics are really fun and easily picked up (just trying to remember them) and helps teach kids that food isn't just something we have to eat, it can be fun too and helps them to understand that by eating properly we can grow up big and strong and healthy.
All the food shown within the song are all healthy items, so I sometimes try to encourage Lee with this by saying ooh look what that little girl is eating a tasty yummy carrot, would you like one of those? Unfortunately I haven't succeeded as yet but I will definitely get their one-day.

I would also like to add that there is a lot of commercial advertising going on within this channel, which just like any other channel (except bbc) you are bound to be subjected too.
One good thing is that they don't split up the programmes half way through to feel the need to show you how much better off you would be by consolidating all your debts and loans into one simple monthly manageable repayment.
Although after almost every programme that's is shown the adverts will follow.
Now I know this is quite sad although seeing as the advert break is extremely long and lasts around 5 mins sometimes longer and the fact that it is generally the same adverts shown over and over again on a daily basis Chloe has now began to learn most of them off by heart lol one example is the Churchill insurance and another is for a product called FLOAM.
To be honest I think you get more advert repeats than you do programme ones lol

I have to say that after watching NICK JR for about 6 months, I am extremely pleased with it and have come to the conclusion that seeing as it is just another children's cartoon channel aimed at Preschoolers, it is often brought across as much more grown up and educational compared to that of cbeebies.
(Not slating this channel in anyway whatsoever but just for any avid cbeebies fans reading this - taking into consideration of the ages of my kids, I often find that cbeebies is a bit too babyish for them)
Not only does it just show cartoons, but also helps bring across a clearer picture of everything that goes on in a day in the life of a preschooler with great shows and a lots of fun ideas you can create with your own kids.

Is there anything else????

Well i am glad you felt the need to ask that question, i am pleased to say that NICK JR has also created a section of the show starting at 8pm called NICK JR Classics.
I have to say that this is much more aimed at the bigger kids (anyone that is in their mid 20s or older =D) not for the content but just for old times sake purposes.
Seeing as it starts at 8pm generally my kids are tucked up in bed and fast asleep by then, but on the off chance they might be up I wouldn't have any problems with them watching it.
Basically this is the section of the show that lets you slip back into your childhood with shows from the 60's 70's and 80s and as they say takes you back into the days where you were able to count the number of TV channels on one hand.
Ohh how times have changed :( and it goes so fast!!

If some of you felt you wanted to delve into the deep but not so dark parts of your childhood, you could be entertained with the likes of:

Original Thomas the tank engine
Mr Benn
The Clangers
Bagpuss
Portland Bill
Paddington Bear
and much more :O)
Ohh and if you are able to remember this theme tune then that is one more you are able to add to the list... READY!
"Paint the whole world with a RAINBOW"
Any ideas???? :O)

I haven't actually felt the need to watch this part of the channel yet, although I am always otherwise occupied and seeing as I have been subjected to so much children's telly within the day I am always happy just to turn it over without any hesitation.
Perhaps one day I might take a look, although I need my daily fix of adult telly too, just to help my brain function properly and at the moment there is just too much on offer. :O)

There is one cartoon on this channel that I find truly unique.
Never shown on any other TV station (well not to My knowledge)
It is a programme called 'PIC ME', only a 5-minute time filler, but brilliant.
Each episode features a child as the main character, but not only is the character a real life human being you have to the chance to make it your real life human being.
Yeah that's it - you got it - You can put your child in the show.
You are able to nominate your child to star in show by simple sending in a photograph of them into NICK JR all information is available on the NICK JR website listed below.
So anyway if your child does have the chance to appear as the main character they will interact with a number of different animal friends and get the chance to help introduce basic concepts of right and wrong to everyone who watches.

At present NICK JR is available through Sky digital Channel 618 only on certain packages (not the cheapest grrrr)
It is also available through Telewest Digital and NTL too but unfortunately I am unaware of the channel numbers.
I am sure if you were to check with your service provider or TV channel guide you are bound to be able to find out.
I would also like to add that some of the programmes on NICK JR could also be viewed on Freeview on the TMF channel.
Between the hours of 7 - 9 there will be a part of the show called NOGGIN and this will give you a chance to see some of the NICK JR favs. (Again not sure of the channel number)

I would definitely recommend this Channel to anyone, well especially to anyone who is able to view it through his or her telebox.
I know there is a range of different channels available but I honestly have to say that this is one of the best.

Although if you cant take my words for it, then go and see for yourselves you are only just a few clicks away.

More information about this channel can be found at http://www.nickjr.co.uk and will give you everything you need to know about everything NICK JR has to offer.

Hope you have enjoyed my review and perhaps might take that first step into experiencing Children's TV at its Best.

Thanx for reading :O)
 

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