Peep And The Big Wide World Companion Site Launched

Posted on April 23, 2004

Peep And The Big Wide World, a new animated series for preschool-age children about exploring and discovering the world around them, has launched its companion website. Produced by WGBH and 9 Story Entertainment in association with TVOntario and Discovery Kids, PEEP brings animated stories, science, and the wonders of everyday life to its preschool audience. The series is distributed by AAC Kids. Major funding for PEEP is provided by the National Science Foundation. PEEP is closed-captioned for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers by The Media Access Group at WGBH.

Featuring Flash-based games starring Peep and his friends, the site entices three- to five-year-olds to take their science investigation to a whole new level. These games allow kids to:

estimate distances in �Hop to It�
mix colors in �Paint Splat�
use sound to find Quack in �Where�s Quack?�
exercise their memory in �Hide and Peep� and
explore see-saw physics in �Bunny Balance�

"Not only is the site an engaging resource for parents to explore along with their preschooler, it�s unique among others for this age group because it�s fully navigable by non-readers, as the characters themselves guide the children via reaffirming audio prompts," said Karen Worth, a senior scientist in the Center for Science Education at the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC). "What also sets the site apart is its �catalytic� nature -� never dictating what its visitors should do or what concept they should learn, but allowing them to discover it themselves, at their own pace."

Based on a player's ability the flash games are self-leveling for difficulty and offer multiple solutions. Once the game is over, one of the characters draws out the science concept and encourages players to try that kind of activity in their own world. The website also includes a collection of science resources, including an interview with one of PEEP�s science advisors and tips on how to introduce science learning to preschoolers; printable coloring pages and activities drawn from each PEEP episode; information about the development and curriculum of PEEP, including an interview with series narrator Joan Cusack; and an animated clip of PEEP�s theme song recorded by Taj Mahal

The series follows Peep, a newly-hatched chicken, Chirp, a smart and sassy robin, and a egotistical duck named Quack on all their adventures�from discovering shadows, to investigating mysterious tracks, to learning about gravity. The series is narrated by comedienne Joan Cusack and has a theme song performed by Taj Mahal.