Sid the Science Kid and Dive Olly Dive - DVD Review and Giveaway

Albert Einstein once said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Preschoolers are budding little scientists and see everything as a miracle. They love learning about how things work and like to discover and explore. Their curiosity about the science of everyday life should be encouraged and nurtured. Jim Henson's newest animated puppet series shown on PBS called Sid the Science Kid helps preschoolers learn the basics of science.

We've watched Sid the Science Kid on PBS since it first debuted last year. The star of the show is a high energy, microphone toting, curious preschool-aged boy named Sid. Like so many preschoolers his favorite phrase is WHY? But he doesn't just ask why, he actively searches for answers and figures everything out by asking his parents, friends, grandmother and teacher.

Each episode of the series features a different, preschool appropriate science related question. Sid spends an entire day concentrating and learning about everything that relates to that particular science concept. Every day, the show follows the same predictable order of events:

1) Sid wakes up and thinks of a question
2) Sid discusses question with his parents at breakfast
3) Sid rides to school with his mom (and sings Mom Song)
4) Sid surveys his friends (and sings Friend Song)
5) Rug Time at school
6) Super Fab Lab where they "Observe! Compare! Contrast! Describe! and write in their journals (often includes clip of real children)
7) Play time including "Good Laughternoon" joke time
8) Susie's Song
9) Back seat driving with Grandma on way home from school
10) Evening chat with family
11) Bedtime and Sid's BIG IDEA

Earlier this month, on August 4th, NCircle Entertainment released two Sid the Science DVD's, Sid the Science Kid: Change Happens and Sid the Science Kid: The Bug Club. Each of the DVDs runs about 115 minutes and each features four different episodes. We had the opportunity to review both of the DVDs. There's plenty of content for your money's worth! My daughter preferred watching Change Happens over The Bug Club. Her favorite episode out of both DVDs was the one featuring decaying and decomposing food called "My Mushy Banana." The DVDs we received included a bonus DVD with episodes from a variety of preschool shows including WordWorld, Dive Olly Dive and more.

DVD episode listings:
Sid the Science Kid: Change Happens

Episodes discuss Transformation & Change:
- My Mushy Banana (Topic: Decay)
- My Shrinking Shoes (Topic: Growth)
- My Ice Pops (Topic: Change caused by cold)
- The Perfect Pancake (Topic: Change caused by heat)

Sid the Science Kid: The Bug Club

Episodes discuss Backyard Science:
- Hello Doggie! (Topic: Animal Communication)
- Home Tweet Home (Topic: Animal and Insect Habitats)
- The Dirt on Dirt (Topic: Dirt)
- Don't Forget the Leaves (Topic: Leaves)

Sid the Science Kid is one of the most educational shows for preschoolers available right now. The episodes are perfect for those with short attention spans because they are broken up into small manageable segments. My daughter especially loves all the songs and the joke time. I try to watch the episodes with my daughter so that we can talk about the science concepts discussed on the show and apply them at home. Another reason the shows gets a thumbs up from me -- the characters are ethnically diverse and multi-generational. Only a few minor complaints: Sid's chuckle gets on my nerves and Dad (a.k.a Mort) looks way too dorky and reminds me Dick Van Dyke's toy character in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The gorgeous corresponding Sid the Science PBS website is full of several episode related activities and games and even includes a comprehensive parents and teachers page for those that wish to incorporate the show's concepts into home or school studies.

Dive Olly Dive: Ship Shape Sub deserves its own time in the limelight, so I'll post a review later after I have time to sit and watch the whole DVD. The DVD released on August 4th along with the Sid the Science DVDs. I've never seen the show on TV. According to a news release, "Dive Olly Dive! follows the fun-filled underwater escapades of Olly and Beth, two young research submarines-in-training." Children learn about ocean life and ocean eco-systems through watching the animated show along with learning about friendship and teamwork.

DVD Source: Review copies provided for free by NCircle Entertainment. (View my full disclosure statement for more information about my reviews.)

Related Links:
PBS Kids Sid the Science Kid
NCircle Entertainment
The Jim Henson Company
Jim Henson's Creature Shop - Learn how Henson Digital Puppetry Studio produces Sid the Science Kid
Dive Olly Dive Website

Win a copy. NCircle Entertainment has kindly offered to giveaway all three of the DVDs shown above to a Brimful Curiosities reader.

To enter, leave a comment relevant to this post. (Just for fun, let me know one science experiment you remember doing as a child or have worked on with your children at home.)

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