A mum's best friend (CBeebies)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	CBeebies
Date:	23/06/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lots of programmes

Disadvantages: you can't choose what they watch and the adverts!

I am one of those horrible mums that doesn't let her boys watch television all day and I believe more in interacting with your children rather than letting the TV educate them. However there are occasions that I call on the 'trusty' cast of the Cbeebies channel to entertain and educate my boys for half an hour whilst I prepare the tea.

The Cbeebies channel is aimed at children up to the age of four years old and plays a range of programmes that are applicable to that age range. There are cartoons, educational programmes and activity based shows that encourage the watcher to participate.

The channel runs continuously throughout the day but there are a lot of adverts which can be annoying especially when you two year old wants just about every toy that appears on screen. I usually solve this problem by letting the boys watch it on Cbeebies. At least this way I can choose which programme to put on for them and they can't see all of the rubbish that is shown in between.

I really love this channel and there are a few favourites that both the boys and I love!

Boogie beebies

This programme is all about getting the watcher up and moving around a bit. Maybe with the rate of obesity rising, they feel the need to show programmes that will encourage weightloss. The main guy talks the children through lots of dance moves whilst educating them about a particular subject. At the end of the programme the dance is performed and before it ends there is a warm-down which is the same everytime so the children get to know it well.

I am not much of a dancer but love the fact that we can all dance a round the living room and get moving a bit. I love exercise and want to bring the boys up to feel the benefits of that so this is a great way to start.

Something special

This programme combines Makaton sign language with relevant topics. The main character, Justin, takes the watcher through different subjects each programme and teaches the children about it. There are lots of special needs children featured in the show which gives the watcher a real awareness of that side of things. I love this because Noah doesn't often see children in wheelchairs when we are out and about. I like that he watches this programme and would hope that when he does see special needs children it won't be a big issue for him.

The programmes run from ten minutes to twenty which is a good time frame for any child to sit through. Noah would sit for hours on end if I let him but if you have a live wire then ten minutes is just enough.

The content of most of the programmes are very safe in my opinion. This is an extremely important factor for me because I am a firm believer being careful about what you set your eyes on.

Over all this channel is brilliant for children aged four and below and would definitely recommend it!

Summary: A great channel