Target Age Group: Preschoolers
Duration: approx. 25 minute episodes
Network: The Disney Channel (check local listings for times)
Higglytown Heroes - Overview
Higglytown Heroes airs on Playhouse Disney and is a music-filled CG animated show for preschoolers. In Higglytown, things all jump, scoot, and wobble around. This is because the citizens of Higglytown are fashioned after nesting dolls, and the show focuses on community and service.
In each episode the Higglytown kids - Kip, Twinkle, Wayne, Eubie, and their reasoning friend Fran the squirrel - wind up in some kind of dilemma. After trying to solve the problem themselves, the group usually winds up needing the help of a Higglytown Hero. The celebrated heroes in Higglytown are the everyday people who diligently perform their jobs in the community. Whether it's the janitor, the plumber, a teacher, or a fireman, Higglytown heroes always come to the rescue of the thankful children, and the children see how they too can be a hero by doing their part in the community.
Photo © Disney. All rights reserved.
Higglytown Heroes - Curriculum
Higglytown Heroes presents children with the concept of everyday heroes in a way that is simple and easy for preschoolers to understand. Kids learn about different jobs in the community and the uniforms people who perform those jobs wear. Learning to match people in uniform with the job they do is an important academic developmental skill, but the show's main curricular focus centers around life lessons and concepts such as team work, community, and problem solving.
Each of the Higglytown children solve problems in their own way, and they all model a positive problem-solving attitude. They also express admiration and appreciation for the heroes who help them. The citizens of Higglytown encourage kids to work hard and become a hero in their own circle of influence using their own individual skills.
Higglytown Heroes - Review
The colorful world and upbeat music in Higglytown Heroes really resonate with children, as do the doll-like characters and the simple life lessons they learn. Children can easily identify with the personality types each Higglytown child represents, and the characters model positive problem solving in a way that is easy for kids to translate to everyday situations that they encounter themselves.
Unique to this show is the emphasis on people of the community and their individual contributions. Viewing children learn a new respect and appreciation for people, like the librarian or the pizza guy, to whom they otherwise would probably not have given much thought. Not only are people in the community made real and more recognizable, but the show emphasizes that, by doing their jobs diligently with kindness and care, each of these people makes a positive difference in the lives of others. No matter what their role or how small their part, kids see that their own contribution can likewise be very important.
Photo © Disney. All rights reserved.
Higglytown Heroes - Expand Upon the Curriculum
- Find pictures of people in uniform on the internet or in a magazine. Tape the pictures to a sheet of paper and ask kids to look at the pictures and guess what each person's job might be.
- Higglytown characters are nesting dolls, which are great for young preschoolers learning about size and shape. If your kids love the Higglytown Heroes, try to find a nesting doll and help them figure out how to take it apart and put it all back together again.
- The Higglytown Heroes website offers additional games and activities for kids and parents to enjoy.
