What is a Numtum?

The Numtums are based on a creature called a Numbat they are found in Australia and are also known as a marsupial anteater, they like eating termites.

The original series “The Numtums,” is a basic numeracy programme for children, shown on CBeebies it was first shown in 2012 animated by Beakus, a London based animation studio. Barry Quinn created the show, the stories are written by Katie Simmons.

                                                   

The new series is called "The Numtums Adventures," which is produced by the CBeebies and animated by A Productions.

The original series is great, my grandchild likes watching the bursts of short colorful pictures with the catchy music which gives it much more energy.

The counting method used is very good, counting up to ten, with each episode concentrating on one number.

It’s a great programme for children who are starting to learn their numbers.

This programme will help children recognize a number, count up to the number shown in the episode using pictures of flowers, animals or other objects, which change position.

The new series of Numtums is a story. It features counting but do not have the short bursts of fun, colorful pictures that keep a young mind from straying.

In my opinion it is more suited to older children, than the younger ones as they have a shorter concentration span.

I would definitely recommend watching the first series.

My final thought: the new series should be shown on CBBC not CBeebies.

You decide, watch both series and tell me what you think?

Who invited the Tiger for Tea?

I read the children's story book called "The Tiger Who Came To Tea."

The book was written and illustrated by Judith Kerr.

This story is about a young girl called Sophie, her mummy and a tiger that comes for tea.

When a hungry tiger knocks on the door and wants to join Sophie and her mummy for tea, they get more than they bargained for!

As an adult I found this to be a lovely story but I would never let a child open the door just in case a tiger showed up!

If an adult opened the door to a tiger then I'd say. "Start running, you're probably going to be it's tea."

In fact I'd say don't open the door when you're having your tea!

It's a lovely story well worth reading, the children will love it.

My final thought: what's going to happen when daddy comes home.

What do you think?

Who is Sid the Seed?

I watched a children’s audio book on YouTube called “Sid The Seed,” written & illustrated by Daniel R. Pagan.                                                         

It’s a lovely rhyming story for children about a little seed called Sid, who likes sharing his home with a spider called Pip and a caterpillar called Kim.

When Sid’s friends leave to find something new he stays alone in his hole too scared to venture outside.

I found the story a little sad, especially when Sid’s friends leave and he was left alone.

Although Sid gets his happy ending when he is reunited with his friends Pip and Kim, it still left me with a feeling of loss.

As an adult I realise a lot of children must feel alone and isolated, especially when they are unable to make friends or when their best friend leave to attend a different school.

Friendship plays a big part but it also sends a message to us all, that sometimes you need to venture out, or get left behind!

How can we make it an easy transition for our children when friends leave?

It’s a lovely story the children would definitely enjoy watching it.

 

My final thoughts: as adults we are always looking for something new, sometimes we don’t realise that what we already have, is special!

What do you think?

Is Pingu more suited to Adults than Children?

“Pingu,” has been around since I was a kid. I was surprised to see it on CBeebies.

The stop motion clay mated television series was created by Otmar Gutmann and produced by The Pygos Group and Trickfilmstudio for Swiss television.

The show was made by HiT Entertainment and HoT Animation and can be seen on CBeebies.                     

The series is about a family of penguins who speak in a different language without sub titles and live at the South Pole in igloos.

Although sub titles are not required, you can make out what the story is about by the characters actions.

My favourite character is Pingu, a little boy penguin, he is very mischievous and has tantrums, just like any child when they can’t get their own way.

As a child I never really got into it, as an adult I find it hilarious, the different accents and the characters expressions always put a smile on my face.

One of my favourite clips is when Pingu’s little sister Pinga is in hospital.

The props for example; the pot under the bed; the pull around screen, it reminds me of the items used in our hospitals years ago.

My final thought: it’s definitely one for the adults, it's also got a cult following.

If your going to watch it on YouTube, vet it first as I came across one episode when Pingu gets a slap for not doing his chores.

Watch it and tell me what you think?

Who do you prefer Thomas or Chuggington?

This week I have compared two television programmes; “Thomas & Friends” and “Chuggington.”

I watched some Thomas & Friends episodes on Channel 5 Milkshake.

These are stories about a steam train called Thomas who learns how to become a really useful engine.                                                      

Thomas the Tank Engine is a small fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher Awdry.

Ringo Starr narrated the first two series of Thomas and Friends.

It is shown on Channel 5 Milkshake.

Chuggington is similar, it’s an animated children’s series set in the fictional town of Chuggington. It follows the adventures of 6 young Trainees named Wilson, Brewster, Koko, Hoot, Toot and Piper.

                                         

Chuggington is a British computer-animated television series for children produced by Ludorum Plc. It is shown on CBeebies.

My favorite character has to be Wilson from Chuggington; he’s always getting into mischief.

As an adult my preferred series is Chuggington.

It has very excited children’s acting voices, colorful animation and has a more modern feel.

The series show friendship, leadership and the stories are well written.

I’ve actually learnt a lot about trains from watching this programme.

Unfortunately for me I found Thomas to be mediocre. The models and animation are good, but the voices are basically too mature and create no excitement.

My final thought: I respect Thomas as he was the first animated train that I personally watched on television as a child, also my grandson loves his Thomas Train toy and board book. So Thomas is definitely getting something right with the great merchandise!

However, for the excitement my vote is for Chuggington.

Make up your own mind, if you get the chance to watch them both, tell me which one you prefer?

What is Alphablocks?

Have you ever watched Alphablocks?

It’s an animated spelling programme for children that use Phonics, teaching letter sounds and making spelling more fun.

Joe Elliot is the creator of Alphablocks.

It’s animated by Blue-Zoo and produced by Alphablocks Ltd and is shown on CBeebies.

As an adult I believe this is the best Phonics programme for children on television at present.

My grandson is not yet able to speak let alone read, however he likes to dance to the musical rhymes, and will no doubt grow his vocabulary from this show when he is able to do so!

The singing letters creating words make a wonderful comical story, which is great to watch, some of the songs are very catchy.

The last one I watched was about the letter “i” for a couple of days I have been singing it myself!

It’s definitely worth watching and great for children too! 

My final thought: it’s a great programme that should be used to educate children in nursery and primary school.

Well wouldn’t you prefer to be taught by the Alphablocks than a teacher?

What do you think?