Don’t Beat Down The Fresh Beat Band
// 8.1.09 // Filed under: Parenting
I am really glad I don’t work in television programming.
A couple months ago I started seeing commercials on Noggin for a kids’ band called “The JumpArounds.” The music was catchy, and the message seemed innocuous: music is awesome, so get up on your feet and be happy.
The commercials disappeared for awhile, but now The JumpArounds are back under a new name, The Fresh Beat Band, with a new show premiering in August. I was curious why they changed the show’s name, so I Googled it. What I found has me perplexed and a little incredulous.
This show is stirring up some mad craziness online.
On one message board, a parent commented:
“… the black kid acts more white than the white kid and the white kid must be some executives son or something because he can’t sing and his dancing is horrible, and the girls..omg the dark haired one is scary looking, looks fake…”
On a separate forum was this comment:
This show with it’s pre-teen jumping and dancing reinforces so many of the negative stereotypes and ideas that I work to keep my child away from. Cheesey, too thin, too pretty, too talented, hardly mulitcultural, no redeeming intellectual value unrealistic preening.
Hmm… so they are either talent-less and scary-looking or they are too talented and pretty.
Then there’s this comment:
I remember one line from the old JumpArounds commercials – something about “when you’ve got to get down when you just got up” – Noggin is a place where children should be learning about shapes, colors and numbers … not “getting down.”
Really? I could get up on my high horse about childhood obesity, but I won’t. I’ll just say that any preschool show that encourages music and movement is A-OK with me. I can’t fathom how a parent would have a problem with that. Perhaps it’s the term “getting down” that the parent quoted above has a problem with. I guess that’s too “suggestive?” {shrug}
I’m sure this type of criticism happens with ANY new show coming out. Seems like parents are a pretty hard bunch to please.
I’ve never been one to get all worked up about television programming. People are different. Everyone raises their kids differently. If you don’t like it, turn it off.
I recently met Angela Santomero, the creator of Blue’s Clues and Super WHY!. She was discussing with a group of parent bloggers how Super WHY! was developed and the outreach programs they are doing in conjunction with the show. I was so impressed with her. Her passion for children’s programming is so obvious when you see her speak.
Anyone who spends their time trying to create ways to help my child learn earns my initial respect. Give the Fresh Beat Band a break.
And I never did find out why they changed the name, although there is a rumor about a similar-named band asking for the change and another suggestion that “The JumpArounds” is just too exciting a name and would get kids too riled up. {eye roll}
The Fresh Beat Band will premiere on Nickelodeon Monday, Aug. 24th.
Fresh Beat Band: Music, Action and Fun for Preschoolers
Stifling Creativity: Screen Time, Supervision or School?
Do I Really Want My Daughter on TV?
139 Responses to “Don’t Beat Down The Fresh Beat Band”
Leave a Reply
My Blog Design Portfolio.
- Furniture: Cheap modern furniture store.
- Affordable Modern Furniture , cheap.
- Westwood College
- Child Development
- Private Tutors
- Homeowners Insurance
- Offertissima Passeggini Chicco Bambini
My Webstream.
There are no events to show at this time.
Powered by Lifestream from iBegin.
Categories
Search
OK so yes the Fresh Beat Band is not teaching colors, shapes and letters the way other shows do, but they are teaching other things. It is good for kids to experience different things and learn different things. The parents that have a problem with this show must not be thinking clearly. Think about when your child enters elementary school, they aren’t just taking math, english and history. They take art, music, P.E., etc. This show is teaching them reasoning (like finding a shoe that makes a noise because someone doesn’t have their tap shoes). It also teaches working together and compromising. If you actually watch the show and pay attention they are teaching things. This is a different show with a different approach and different subject matter. What’s wrong with teaching your child to give a friend a hand when they need help?? God forbid they are taught how to respect people, be polite & helpful. People are being too judgemental. And the point that it’s not multicultural enough…come on?!?!?! Does every single show have to have every single culture or race in it?? There are plenty of shows that teach that stuff too. I love those shows too and they have taught my daughter a lot. Thanks to Dora & Diego she can count in spanish.
OK FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY THIS. HOW CAN YOU JUDGE A SHOW THAT IS TEACHING KIDS TO LEARN AND BE ACTIVE. LIKE SERIOUSLY HOW CAN YOU BE SOME MEAN AND RUDE. SOME PARENTS WHO HAVE MADE A COMMENT ON THIS HAS MADE ME VERY UPSET. MY CHILD IS 19 MONTHS AND SHE LOVES THE SHOW. SHE GETS UP SINGS AND DANCES WITH THEM AND SHE INTERACTS WITH THEM. ITS A LEARNING EXPERINCE LIKE ANOTHER PARENT STATED IN THE POST ABOVE. HOW DO YOU EXPECT KIDS TO LEARN. WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL ITS THE SAME THING. SO WHAT WILL YOU DO TAKE THEM OUT OF SCHOOL. I DONT THINK SO. GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE. AND FOR THE RECORD IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW A PERSON ACTS FOR SOME ONE TO SAY THE BLACK BOY IS ACTING TO WHITE WAS JUST WRONG. THAT MEANS NOTHING. THE KIDS ARE LEARNING AND IF YOU TOOK OUT THE TIME TO WATCH IT YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING AND SEE THAT THEY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE KIDS AND HOW THEY ACT. IT DOES FOR MY DAUGHTER. PARENTS GROW UP PLEASE.
I agree with Kiersten and Heather Viverette..I think it is an awesome show. Their songs have wonderful lessons in them…helping out friends, working together, learning what music terms are, etc. If the “black kid” had pants sagging to the ground and rapping or the “white kid” was dressed as a punk rock star or similiar, the girls dressed in “Bratz” type apparel,then I think stereotypes would come into play. But the band does not wear anything offensive or geared to any certain genre, the music is all positive and upbeat with a postive message that makes my daughter want to dance and sing. The kids are clean cut, respectful, well mannered……even my 16 year old likes to dance and sing along. Nick Jr has some great preschool shows that help teach, but they are to be applauded for The Fresh Beat Band. I actually enjoying watching this with my daughter. Also,to the parents that do not like or approve of the show…..you have control over what your child watches and you are entitled to your opinion, but no one is forcing you or you child to watch it..all you have to do is change the channel.
k. so I’m so happy that there are people out there that do support the Fresh Beat Band!! I can’t stand when people say they are not multicultural…what??? you have all races, all colors and come on they even play instruments…I have a 3 and 1 year old boys, that love the show. I have to record it for them to watch it during the day. My boys love to dance to it and you can even hear my 3 year old (who has speech problems) singing their songs. He even wants to play the instruments like they do. Plus, I love the show, it gives me a moment to dance and let go w/them, cause they just want to be kids for a moment and come on kids are kids….we do want them to learn as much as possible…but they are children and they need to act and play like what they are…..not having to be acting like older to be more upto date w/everyone else.
I say keep the Fresh Beats, they are fun, full of energy, and entertaining…most of all, my boys love them and noone can’t change that!
I personally love the show and my daughter(21 months) is crazy about it. This is a show that lets her be active instead of sitting and learning to count in Spanish/or Chinese, she barely gets English yet so I would rather not confuse her now and save the foreign languages for when she is a little older. Don’t get me wrong she still loves to watch Dora and Nehao Kailan but prefers to sing and dance along to The Fresh Beat Band. One thing though, Mirena used to be on days of Our Lives and that is kind of hard to get used to but besides that, the show isn’t for me to enjoy it is for her to. I think it’s like a new age versions of the wiggles. The Wiggles didn’t really teach about shapes, numbers, color etc either but nobody complained about them.
My 3 yr old loves it, she loves all music from all the shows. I like it too and dance around with her. It’s a TV show for pre-schoolers!!! They’re using actors instead of animation. Big deal. And please, moms who think music doesn’t equal learning. Get your facts together first, read a few articles on music and math!!
My daughter loves this show. Are they coming out with a CD of their music?
Personally, I think the show is a bit cheesy for me, but any show that keeps my 3 yr old’s attention longer than 5 mins is OK by me!! The music is catchy and sometimes I find myself singing along with my kids! I have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old that keeps their eyes glued to the tv when the Fresh Beats come on. My 3 yr old has some speech delay but I hear him singing along to the songs. We’re actually watching the show as I type!
My 2 1/2 year old daughter loves this show! Yes…it is cheesy and there is a bit of overacting but OVERALL it is a great show that gets my daughter up and grooving in the afternoon. No excuse not to get outside and move around but we have a lot of fun dancing together! (Indoors where no one can see me LOL) give it a chance…Keep Rockin FBB!
I was so dishearted to read people complaining about The Fresh Beat Band. My 4 yr old little girl is so hyper and this show is an outlet for her. What gets me….its a kids show…not a grown up show. SO why give them a hard time? I mean i am a grown up and I love the show. It teaches music and get kids up and moving.I mean they are already taking music out of the public school system(budget cuts my eye) so how are childern going to be exposed to the arts….singing…..playing a musical instrament. It just baffels my mind that grown folk could be so harsh on such a wonderful show.
My 18 month old grand son loves the fresh beat band. He can hear their music playing from another room and he stops and runs to where the show is on. I also find myself watching it and I have to admit I like it too. So for all you haters out there please stop criticizing the show and give it a chance.
all I want to know is where can I purchase their dvd. My grandson loves them and I can’t find it anywhere.
I personally think it’s silly, but these are people in their mid twenties…who choose to show children how to solve their problems. Sure the songs are silly and get stuck in your head, but when I see my two and three year old get excited and they learn to figure things out on their own..I let them watch it. It may drive me crazy but as long as they are learning it is good. They have fun, also good, not all learning has to be boring. Plus my daughter sees Marina who is a red head with blue eyes like her, and she associates with it. It is positive for her.
Normally I’m not one to write/post anything about what’s on TV because I’m a busy stay home mom. I figure my voice is heard by what I let my children watch or not watch. There is so much children’s programming on, you could have the TV on all day, but that’s why I’m the parent and you’re the parent.
I’m glad to see the positive comments about the Fresh Beat Band. My children think they’re great. They like Twist because he’s funny and makes funny noises, Shout because of his crazy legs, Kiki because she has a guitar, and Marina because she plays the drums. I’ve lost more pencils and have marks on my walls because my girls are drumming everything in sight and listening to the sounds. So what?, they’re just pencils, and marks come off walls.
Here’s my two cents as the mom: they teach music, rhythm, tempo, rhyme, names of instruments, dance moves, music terminology (i.e. we’re going to sing a duet; a song for two people), they use songs to help children remember things [loopity loop and through the hoop; pull it tight, now that's all right (tying shoe laces, sung to the tune of the ABC's]. The kids (the actors) are respectful, they are not mean & cut someone down to make themselves feel better, they help each other, work together, problem-solve, encourage excitement about learning and going to school, and they are clean and neat. This great show incorporates the arts and LIFE SKILLS. Yeah, sometimes the songs get stuck in my head but alright. They’re catchy, and I like them too. There’s nothing wrong with learning about music, dance, and instruments; and with pending budget cuts in some schools, the arts are always the first to go; grrrr.
Other shows feature counting, colors, shapes, manners, and safety in English/Spanish/Chinese and they have their place. Parents, don’t get your knickers in a knot and overthink. Continue to be discerning and responsible. Maybe the show we watch is not the show you watch; it’s cool. But LET THE KIDS HAVE FUN; childhood is getting shorter & shorter. They’re born, you blink, and they’re driving.
Thanks to Nickolodeon for the Fresh Beats, their fine cast with the four main characters and excellent support cast; I know they’re all working hard. Keep up the good work. We are fans!
Leave the Fresh Beats alone!!!! My niece and I enjoy watching them together every morning before i have to depart and start my day. She loves singing and dancing with the cast, plus learning. I appreciate the Fresh Beats and what they have to offer. I am happy that the african american kid acts “white”. We all dont rap and DJ, keep keyboarding Shout!!!
My 3 year old twins love to watch this show because they don’t know any better. I think it’s absolutely horrible. The actors/singers are not the slightest bit talented and ridiculously corny. The show’s creators/producers should go to YouTube and take a long look at Kids Incorporated. The show wasn’t phenomenal, but it puts The Fresh Beat Band to shame!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, the songs on The Fresh Beat Band are meant for children between the ages of 1 and 6 (roughly). However, if you introduce their young, influential minds to mediocracy in music, then they will continue to believe that this level of talent (or lack thereof) has quality. Distracting them for 23 minutes shouldn’t be the draw. If the show intends to teach them music / dance appreciation, then give them something of substance and quality to appreciate.
My son loves The Fresh Beat Band. I don’t see anything wrong with the show it teaches the kids to think of a solution when things don’t go as you want to get up and move around and not just lay there and watch tv. I think their songs are creative and very catchy
I’m glad to see that most of the people commenting on here are saying positive things about the show. Personally I’m 19 years old and I love the show! I’m a nanny for a 1 1/2 year old boy and he loves the show as well! We both enjoy the songs they sing and I find myself singing along. I love the fact that this show involves music and that the cast is made up of young adults. I mean come on! You wanna talk about “creepy” characters? Try watching “Imagination Movers” THEY are creepy and give me the heebee-jeebies. Anyway The Fresh Beat Band is a great show and I’m glad they came out with it. Singing, playing instruments, dancing, helping your friends, kindness and respect. You can’t go wrong with this show.
yes the characters are creepy because they are 25-27 years old trying to act like tweens. So, yes, in adults eyes they look ridiculous. To a kid though, they dont’ see that
My 3rd old niece loves this show!! I love this show, there’s enough shows on TV that teach her things, the Fresh Beats is our time to have fun. we dance together, sing together (yes I know all the songs) it’s a great time. I always look forward to playing with her and watch the FBB. I love them, keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a 18 month old little boy and he loves the show. No matter what he is doing he stops to watch the show, he even dances with them!! So as far as I am concerned its a good show. They don’t put people down they make people feel better. They also show to get up on your feet and be interactive. I am actually trying to find the DVDs for him for christmas!
FBB is a great show! it has my 2 year old singing, dancing, and now even playing his mini drum set! I also have an 8 year old autistic son that loves this show! he has learned most of the lyrics to theyre songs and also plays the drums..and just to today i caught my boys playing together which is rare because of my 8year olds autism… if you sit and over analyze the show and its characters then of course you will find something to complain about but, if you try seeing things from a childs point of view the you too will fall in love with FBB!
It saddens me to see that some parents are so ill informed and ignorant that they spend time trashing an educational, emotionally positive, and excercise/activity encouraging kid’s show. The show advocates for learning about music and dancing, teamwork, friendship, physical activity, and is intriguing to a much larger age group than the majority of other educational shows. I have a 17-month old who already asks for it at bedtime, a 3+1/2 year old that practices what she laerned at dance school while watching, and a 5 year old that turned down a peice of pie two weeks ago so he didn’t miss any fresh beats. All 3 have learned new words, they try to play music together with toy instruments in the house, and their idols aren’t fake giant purple dinosaurs, or poorly drawn cartoon characters, or some other character that speaks babytalk and/or uses made-up words, and/or solves imaginary problems that can’t be related to real life……….. PARENTS… get a clue! Do you want your kid to learn things while practicing social skills, or to be an expert in watching cartoon characters battle gumdrop monkeys in the mickey mouse forest with hokie jokie beams shot from the car the 5 year old is driving???? come on
i dont really see what the problem is with this show. i have 4 yr old twins and they love watching it. i let them watch it cuz it keeps them interested and out of trouble.
Nicely put!!! I am amused about the one comment that stated the show is supporting “stereotypes” being the parent of a black child I applaud the show for not making the black kid the rapper!!!!
I have an 21 month old girl and she LOVES this show. She to dance anyway but when the Fresh Beat Band comes on you can see her eyes light up, she will try to sing along with them. She absolutely loves this show!! And I agree with one of grandparents… where can we buy a DVD?
Ok, I just read all of the comments and had to laugh at a good number of them. First of all, if you have a problem with the show, turn the channel. There’s absolutely nothing stopping you. Next, to those complaining that the show doesn’t teach shapes and such, since when is it the job of a television show to teach your child these things? I thought that was my job as the PARENT.
Yes, the show is obnoxious. It annoys the heck out of me. However, I’m not the audience that the show was intended for. My 2yr old twins like to watch the show. Then again, any show with music makes them stop, listen, and start to dance. They’ve always been like that.
Yes, the voices of the actors are “to upbeat” but that’s exactly as they should be. Kids respond better to perkiness than not. Would you rather they be emo or something and talking in monotone voices?
If my kids get up and dance to the music, that’s fine by me. At least they’re not vegetables in front of the television. Sure, we have NickJr. on all the time but it’s background noise. They’re usually doing something else.
Much like the UpsideDown show (btw…those guys are actually they Umbilical Brothers. They’re hiliarious with ADULT humor. Check YouTube.), it’s annoying but it’s a kids show for goodness sake. If it was meant to be adult entertainment, it wouldn’t be on NickJr.
People want to say how “fake” these actors are. Who cares? I’d rather watch FBB than I would something like Oobi with its “hand puppets’ and totally lack of english sentence structure. Again, it’s a KIDS show. Get over it. Kids become disillusioned adults fast enough. Let them have their fun now. Grit your teeth and bear it. If you can’t do that, turn the channel.
If you do not like the show, then do not watch it. My kids do not watch it, but it is not due to the content. I am often marveled at the time and energy people waste typing ridiculous comments on an Internet chat board. If these “parents” posting to a chat board spent the time “educating” their children instead, they would increase the propensity of their child to consume relevant information by 10 minutes. Compound this over the course of a year, and you would not need Nick to educate your child.
Where can one purchase Fresh Bbat Band CDs?
My daughter LOVES this show! She is 19 months old and there are a lot of shows she likes (Dora, Elmo, etc.), but when the Fresh Beats come on… Hip Hop And Pop… she just can’t stop! LOL She loves the colors and the songs, and she dances all around the room!! I can’t wait for them to put out a DVD or CD. I tried to find them on Itunes but no luck. I think their great!
As an early childhood education professor and Mom of 3 young children I think the FBB has many positive qualities that support young children’s development. All three of my children, ages 9, 7, and 2 love the show! We sing the songs a lot (especially “Freeze Dance”), and enjoy getting up off the couch and dancing around! Keep up the great work Nickelodeon!
I realize this is old, but I can’t help but put my input into a comment I saw. Some guy said his son thought the characters were too loud…has your son ever seen Dora? Dora is much louder than fresh beats. Dora doesn’t EVER talk in an indoor voice. She’s always yelling. And the music in Dora is SO much less stimulating…”i’m the map i’m the map i’m the map i’m the map…..” and it goes on and on and on and on.
Fresh Beats songs really get kids up and dancing…*GAPS!* You mean, they actually teach my kids to get off their butts and get some exercise? OH NO! And the things they teach are things like problem solving and critical thinking, how to work as a team, and how to be a good, helpful person. And I love that they teach about the arts. As a musician, I get very disappointed when the arts get cut out of school.
Now I should go back and clarify something. I know I put Dora down, but I will admit that it’s a good show for teaching Spanish. But that’s the only reason I like it.
My daughter doesn’t watch a lot of TV to begin with. My wife and I are against prolonged exposure to brain melting TV. We teach her all her shapes and colors and letters and numbers by actually spending time with her. Even when we go out side to play we still teach her those things. For the time that we are indoors, Fresh Beats is a GREAT show. Because even though she’s inside and in front of the tv, she’s still up and moving around to the music.
Heres an idea…how about all of you parents that have a problem with the fresh beats get off your rears and teach your kids what “they should be learning” instead of complaining about what the television teaches them. Last I checked you should be raising your children, not the television. Theres an idea. Leave the fresh beats alone
I wish i had as much time on my hands as some of these people do to pick apart and critisize t.v. shows! My 18 month old stops what ever she is doing when the FBB comes on and that does not happen very often!!! Like some one already said it is my job to teach my child about colors and shapes not t.v. I just wish they would come out with more episodes!!!!! I love dancing around with my child and being goofy and the FBB is great for that instead of just dancing to music on the radio. I am not a musically talented person so if it can get her interested in music that is great cause i can teach her the rest of the stuff she need to learn (colors, shapes, counting)Koodos to the FBB!!!!!
both of my girls love them. learning isnt about shapes, colors etc. its about music, feelings, friends, energy. everyone has their own opinion but i dont see it fair for parents to disgrade a show that young children obviously love. like susie said….the show is for kids not the parents
I will have to say ..I thought no show could irritate me as much as Barney..i was wrong.The Fresh Beat Band is awful and fake.Too fake .Kids don’t act that way..It makes me crazy ..I would think those kids could find better jobs..
RELAX PLEASE! My highly intelligent (county tested) just loves them as does my 6 year old. I love seeing the ‘getting down’ and they ARE learning too – so no shapes, colours etc, who cares, they get that elsewhere (if you’re teaching your kids that is). I love them and hope they stick around and keep jumping around. The African-American actor CORRECTLY! Whoever said more white than the white guy, geez – so ignorant. The white guy, maybe he’s not the best dancer or beat-boxer but my kids could care less, he’s goofy and funny! The young girls are adorable! Great job guys, keep it up, think of sane parents like me and not some of these other idiots. Go Fresh Beats! Mrs. S in Ellicott City, MD
Ugh – Sorry, I had to re-submit this as my typing skills are horrid!
RELAX PLEASE! My highly intelligent 2 year old (county tested) just loves them as does my 6 year old. I love seeing them ‘getting down’ and they ARE learning too – so the show doesn’t go crazy exposing them to shapes, colours etc, who cares, they get that elsewhere (if you’re teaching your kids that is). I love them and hope they stick around and keep jumping around. The African-American actor acts CORRECTLY! Whoever said he acts more white than the white guy is soooo ignorant. As for the white actor, maybe he’s not the best dancer or beat-boxer but my kids could care less, he’s goofy and funny! The young girls are adorable! Not weird looking, they are cute! Great job guys, keep it up and think of sane parents like me and not some of these other idiots. Go Fresh Beats! Mrs. S in Ellicott City, MD
I want you cd how can i get