Nick Jr. Magazine-A Surprise Hit!

I'll admit, I decided to subscribe to Nick Jr. Magazine based only on the fact that my now 3 year old daughter loves the popular characters on Nick Jr. I was influenced by Dora the Explorer, Little Bill, Blue and Steve, Kipper, and Little Bear. They are a persuasive bunch!

I must also shamelessly admit that I did not expect much, in terms of educational value, from Nick Jr. Magazine. My perception was that it would be a "fun" magazine filled with my daughter's favorite characters, without much educational benefits, aside from simple preschooler enjoyment. For $19.95, I subscribed for a 2 year plan, which includes 12 issues. I should have expected more from Dora and the gang, however, based on all the fun lessons they provide on their popular television shows.

Nick Jr. is for Preschoolers AND Parents!

My first surprise with Nick Jr. Magazine was that it is a magazine for parents and children to actively enjoy together! There are three main sections to the 60+ page magazine. The first section offers information and articles for parents of the preschool set. It provides ideas for family fun and articles concerning common early childhood issues.

Noodle is the pull out section of the magazine that is for the kids. It features games and learning activities that include the famous Nick Jr. characters as the guides. A pull out Blue's Clues notebook is included. Simple stories with pictures are featured, as well as a typical, "help Dora find something," page. The June/July issues includes pull out Father's Day cards designed by Little Bill. The reading pages are meant to be read by parents, but the picture clues will help children to actively help "read" the short stories. Upon completing the Noodle section, a Noodle "Certificate of Fun" is included for hanging on the refrigerator or framing.

The last section of Nick Jr. Magazine focuses on cooking, travel, craft ideas, and interactive activities. All the activities in this section offer fun ideas for parents and preschoolers to do together. The June/July issue featured many outdoor and summer related ideas. Campfire cooking featured a variety of campout delights to cook. New ideas for using the little plastic pool was also a topic.

What Sold Me on Nick Jr.?

Originally it was the characters of Nick Jr. that prompted me to subscribe. I enjoy the time that my daughter and I share together each morning watching the Nick Jr. shows, and find them to be both entertaining and educational. The magazine approaches learning in a similar manner, focusing on play and interactive situations for children to learn from.

The table of contents allows parents to see which "Play to Learn Fundamentals" are being attempted in each activity in Nick Jr. Magazine. Each titled area has a symbol, or group of symbols next to it, explaining which of the skills the activity focuses on. The Play-to-Learn Fundamentals include the following: Social, Cognitive, Problem Solving, Physical, and Creative. Almost all of the activities include two or more of the skills.

Nick Jr. Magazine is a hit with my daughter, and will appeal most to the 3-6 year old age group. I have tried a few other magazines geared to preschoolers, but the combination of the interactive approach and popular television characters makes this one stand out. It is designed for hours of fun together, rather than one quick reading. Extras such as the Dora stickers included in the June/July issue are a nice surprise for children.

If you are looking for a magazine that will appeal to your preschooler, Nick Jr. Magazine is an entertaining option. Children that are fans of Little Bill, Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues, Little Bear or Kipper, will love meeting their favorite characters every other month, in a magazine filled with adventures and activities!