Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
High-energy music and dancing for young viewers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hi-5
What's the Story?
Every episode of HI-5 has five presenters (who change throughout the show's 14 seasons). They use songs and dance to teach preschoolers about spatial awareness, music, linguistics, body movement, logic, math, storytelling, and emotions. The presenters sometimes rely on puppets or props to deliver across the lesson they're trying to convey.
Is It Any Good?
Whether or not you enjoy this upbeat series will likely depend on your age. For example, one Hi-5 song has a cast member looking at the stars and singing about a "saucepan" and a "starfish" that she sees in the sky. Why not take it a tiny step further to name the constellations? This might work for preschoolers but isn't as engaging for their parents and caregivers. Another sequence uses repetition to drive the point home: "We will find an adventure, an adventure, an adventure," sings a cast member. Then she sings it twice more during the two-minute skit. How adventurous is that?
Though some songs are based on real things like recycling or counting or making shapes, other songs are nonsense. When a cast member says "I am pretending to be the keeper of the night sky," the audience understands that he's pretending, and consequently the skit is successful. But when another skit suddenly begins with the words, "I just landed on planet Move-a-Lot" and a song is sung about it, it's not as clear what's being referred to or whether the cast member is pretending. Remember, the youngest viewers are just learning the difference between real and pretend. Hi-5's writers would benefit their audience by making these distinctions consistently.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the purpose of the show. What do you think Hi-5's ultimate goal is? Do your kids sing and dance along to the music? What is it about this group that's so enticing?
Do your kids have a favorite presenter? What do they like about them?
Talk to your kids about the lyrics in the songs. Which ones do they identify with the most?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 24, 2003
- Cast : Curtis Cregan , Karla Mosley , Kimee Balmilero
- Network : Discovery Kids
- Genre : Kids Musical TV
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2024
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