The must-see Wiggles series with YouTube star Ms. Rachel

Anthony ‘Wiggle’ Field on the new songs that encourage kids to tidy up, wash hands and go to sleep.

When it comes to educating and entertaining preschoolers, The Wiggles have the formula nailed.

Now, with a new YouTube series, Wiggle and Learn, Anthony, Simon, Lachy, Tsehay and the rest of The Wiggles are ready to sing, dance and encourage children to have fun while learning important things like cleaning up their toys, washing their hands, and getting ready for bed.

Featuring loads of catchy songs and fun dances, which The Wiggles are known for, the series also welcomes special guest star, preschool teacher and American YouTube sensation, Ms. Rachel.

Bounty Parents caught up with Wiggles founder and ‘Blue Wiggle’ Anthony Field to find out more about the must-see new series.

Anthony ‘Wiggle Field’ on the YouTube series, Wiggle and Learn

What the secret to making Wiggles songs that are entertaining and educational for preschoolers?

By taking a “child centred” and developmental approach to songwriting, that means looking at the age of our audience, and writing songs that encourage the preschooler to be active participants in the song, whether that is clapping, dancing, listening, singing or playing to the music.

How do you encourage kids to sing and dance along with the song?

By keeping songs rhythmically simple if they are for dancing or clapping the beat to, if a song is to develop singing and pitch in a child we will write a song with appropriate intervals in the pitch, music education expert, Zoltan Kodaly spoke of the need to marry actions to the music, so we make sure we have actions to any “doing” song.

How do address different learning styles and abilities among preschoolers?

We give “can you” challenges, they mean the child will try, as opposed to just telling them instructions, also we ask “if you’re able, can you stand up and dance, if not, it’s ok you can dance sitting down, just express yourself.

We have heard many times our song “Rock a bye your bear” was the first song many children participated in and did the actions too in a group or with mum or dad. This song is a “parallel play” song, the children don’t have to hold hands, but can be next to another child doing the actions.

What inspired your new YouTube series, ‘Wiggle and Learn’?

‘Wiggle and Learn’ is an exclusive YouTube series, so anyone can watch it at a time that works for them. It combines education and entertainment for children, using music, interactive content, and great storytelling to make sure children stay engaged and learn at the same time.

The series covers various topics relatable to children, like preschool life, different modes of transport, and exploring emotions. The idea is to make learning more enjoyable while teaching them basic numeracy and literacy skills, such as counting up to 20 and singing the alphabet.

Why do you think children will enjoy the series?

We believe children will find ‘Wiggle and Learn’ an engaging and immersive experience. The show provides an intimate setting for viewers to have their favourite Wiggle or character engage with them, creating a personalised approach that invites children to be part of the excitement.

Can you tell us about the episode, ‘Bedtime’?

It’s all about healthy sleep habits for children and the importance of establishing a bedtime routine. The Wiggles take the audience through the essential steps of a bedtime routine, like brushing teeth, bathing, and reading bedtime stories, all set to their catchy tunes and colourful visuals.

What’s really great about this episode is that it encourages children to emulate the healthy sleep habits shown on screen, making the learning process fun and effective! So, if you’re looking for an engaging way to teach your children about the importance of a good night’s sleep, this episode is definitely worth a watch!

Is there anything else special that you can discuss? Can you tell us more about this special guest appearance by Ms Rachel in an upcoming episode?

Absolutely! Episode 6 is a dedicated ‘Preschool’ episode aimed at helping children and parents prepare for preschool. Ms Rachel will be making a special guest appearance, and we’ve incorporated songs that preschool teachers can use to encourage children to participate in routine activities, such as tidying up their toys, washing hands and having a sleep.

The episode finishes with a rendition of ‘Rock and Roll Preschool’. Our goal is to familiarise children with the types of activities they can expect when attending preschool, making the transition smoother and more enjoyable.    

Wiggle and Learn is available on The Wiggles YouTube Channel