‘Wimzie’s’ Light Touch Aids Preschoolers

At first glance, “Wimzie’s House,” the new weekday PBS series for preschoolers that began last week, doesn’t look much different from other kids’ shows, with its colorful, giggly Muppet-like puppets and music. It doesn’t take long to notice what makes it a standout, however.

These carefully crafted shows--revolving around 5-year-old Wimzie (a sort of dragon-bird combo) and her puppet monster pals in a home day-care setting--are all about helping preschoolers understand their own and others’ needs and emotions. Aided by Wimzie’s wise and loving grandmother, Yaya, the puppet kids learn to reason and communicate as they face preschooler concerns.

Last week’s shows dealt with Wimzie’s jealousy over the attention her baby brother Bo received, Wimzie’s equating her parents’ refusal to buy her a TV-advertised toy with lack of love, puppet kid Horace’s inability to communicate his hurt and anger when Wimzie accidentally appropriated his special toy, fears during a sleepover and the importance of healthful exercise and nutrition.

Today’s episode is about trust and the value of honesty. Tuesday’s show is entitled “You’re Not My Friend,” a phrase many a parent and teacher has overheard. Wednesday through Friday, the shows deal with safety, sharing and responsibility, respectively.

Preachiness would dampen the value of these life lessons, and the creators clearly understand that: Each day’s theme is woven with a light touch into the lives of the endearing child characters, who learn and grow in a fun but safe and nurturing environment.

* “Wimzie’s House” airs weekdays at 11:30 a.m. on KCET-TV Channel 28. PBS has rated it TV-Y (suitable for children of all ages).