Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Bear, the loveable grizzly, visits the home of a new child friend each episode and learns about this friend's unique morning routine to prepare for school. This show provides an excellent model for kids to learn more from other kids about self-help skills including: brushing teeth, getting dressed, and eating breakfast. Interspersed in Bear and friend's conversations are songs, activities, and other mini-shows that are also geared for preschool-aged kids. At the end, Bear is taught a special skill of his friend such as beading a bracelet or a new hopscotch routine. Then he and the friend say good-bye to the viewer and head off to start their day.
Families can talk about their own getting-ready rituals. How are they similar to other families' routines?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Pam Gelman
BREAKFAST WITH BEAR is another well-received show starring the loveable 7 ft. tall grizzly named Bear. Disney's Muppet Holding Company bought the rights to the Emmy award-winning Bear in the Big Blue House and has now launched Breakfast with Bear, maintaining the same warm, gentle qualities that appeal so well to this young audience.
The hour-long shows starts with Bear entering the home of a new child friend as he or she wakes up. Bear learns more about how this child prepares for school. Some kids wear uniforms and some pick out their clothes; some eat pancakes and others prefer bagels; some live in apartments and others in log cabins. And while appreciating the differences of each child and family, Bear also subtly shows the sameness -– the preparation to go to school and the importance of self-help skills. He also continues his gift of song with the catchy "Morning Mambo," "Breakfast Song," and "Get Ready". Parents may even learn a thing or two to help with their dawdling preschooler in the early morning.
Mixed in with Bear and friend's morning activities are mini-shows such as "Charlie and Lola," based on the wonderful books by Lauren Child, "Shana and Shane," "Captain Carlos," and more. One show follows the learning curve of real-life kid Daniel Cook as he learns to breakdance, yo-yo, train puppies, make ice cream, etc. He is a regular kid with an original and hilarious way of expressing himself.
This is a show for younger preschoolers, who are learning more about taking care of themselves. It's on early in the morning when many parents are busy doing the morning hustle to get out the door. Even if kids are not attending school full-time, it's a wonderful glimpse into another child's world. There are four commercial breaks during the hour-long show, which is annoying, but spending this time with the gentle giant, Bear, makes it all worthwhile.
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Social BehaviorBear asks questions and listens responsively when conversing with child friends about morning routine. |
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