Disney's Little Einsteins
Preschoolers Love the Morning Show from the Makers of Baby Einstein
If you have a toddler, chances are you know Rocket and you definitely know when to PAT, PAT, PAT!
Playhouse Disney’s show, Little Einsteins, has preschoolers everywhere screaming for more power. The animated series hit the air in October of 2005 and its popularity is sure to bring plush toys and accessories to a toy aisle near you very soon.
The show is based on four children going on adventures with their “Rocket,” which is able to easily transform into a boat or spacecraft. Each of the four children has a specialty and they give Rocket power from patting to a beat, which in turn encourages interaction from the viewers. The creators of Little Einsteins are also the creators behind Baby Einstein, and the series is based on learning through the arts.
Older children seem to be drawn into the stories, while the younger viewers love the bright colors, and everyone loves the patting (of course). The show is expected to appeal to children ages two through seven but even infants seem to enjoy it, most likely due to the music and vibrant color.
The main characters consist of Leo, June, Annie and Quincy. Leo is six and the conductor as well as the leader of the group. Annie is his little sister and four (also the youngest), and her special talent is singing. June, who is also six, is the dancer, and Quincy is five and plays instruments. The ethnically diverse foursome explore around the world with the help of the versatile Rocket.
The beginning of each episode is introduced by one of the children as a “mission” and discusses the art and music of the day. Each episode features classical music and famous artwork, which is reviewed again at the end of the program. Also, the program ends with Leo’s proclamation: “Mission Completion.”
The series can certainly serve as a backdrop for helping preschoolers learn more about classical music, as well as drawing and playing musical instruments. Each episode literally goes into a painting, drawing or other artwork, which is a sneaky and provocative way to introduce art to children.
Little Einsteins is actually a refreshing alternative to normal preschool silly programming. The characters teach teamwork and a sense of accomplishment. Also, the character June introduces new vocabulary and each episode explains Italian musical vocabulary, such as adagio, moderato, and accelerando.
Little Einsteins appears on Playhouse Disney at 8:00 AM (eastern). There are a few DVDs available from Season’s 1 and 2 of the show, and several books, sticker books and coloring books.
