about our curriculum

Parents and kids know that Nickelodeon is the place to find a wide range of fun and engaging programming and activities. But we are also committed to providing children with exciting opportunities for learning. That's why our programs and activities, both on-air and online, are all created with clear curriculum goals in mind.

To help parents better understand the educational and developmental focus of a Nickelodeon preschool show, game, or other activity, we have created a set of simple informational icons that appear on-air and online. Developed together with educational and developmental experts and reviewed by parents like you, each icon represents a fundamental curriculum goal derived from nationally recognized guidelines and state standards for early childhood education. By using this icon system as a guide, parents can more easily choose particular shows and online games and activities that will build the skills their children need for school.

Read more to learn about each icon's curriculum focus and the skills that your child can develop when they tune in to our shows or engage in online activities.

Language develops rapidly during early childhood, so focusing on the core skill areas of listening, speaking, writing, and reading is very important. When you see the Read with Us icon, you will know that the program or activity focuses on concepts like letters and their sounds, vocabulary, story structure and comprehension, storytelling, following directions, rhyming, and emergent writing, among other important early literacy skills.
Try these Read with Us activities.

Math is an integral part of children's everyday experiences. As they play and interact with the world around them, children collect the building blocks critical to a solid understanding of mathematics. Nickelodeon's preschool shows and activities with the Count with Us icon provide these building blocks by supporting development of early math skills including number recognition and counting, simple addition and subtraction, shapes, patterns, grouping, time and measurement, and problem-solving.
Try these Count with Us activities.

Children are naturally curious. In fact, we could say that they are born scientists, using their five senses to explore and investigate the world around them. Shows and activities with the Discover with Us icon incorporate curriculum that helps your child learn about science and technology. Your child will be encouraged to make observations and predictions, ask questions, and investigate various aspects of nature, objects, Earth, and space, while also learning about scientific terminology and tools. In addition, this icon covers skills related to computers and other modes of modern technology.
Try these Discover with Us activities.

The Explore with Us icon signifies shows and activities that teach children about diversity, world cultures and languages, neighborhood and community, and family roles and traditions. It is important for children to learn about these concepts in order to help them develop an understanding and appreciation of their own uniqueness and that of others, and the important role they play in their family, neighborhood, and the global community. Nickelodeon's preschool shows and activities expose children to foreign languages like Spanish or Chinese and help them examine the various people and jobs in their community, while also sharing experiences about different types of families.
Try these Explore with Us activities.

When given the opportunity to be creative and imaginative, children gain an important pathway for self-expression. The Create with Us icon indicates that a show or activity will spark imagination and encourage kids to express themselves through the visual arts, music, dramatic play, and/or dance. Painting, sculpting, cooking, and singing are just a few ways that Nickelodeon will inspire your child while also teaching them to appreciate the creative arts in the world around them.
Try these Create with Us activities.

Music is one of the first ways that children use to express themselves. Learning about and making music have also been found to positively benefit learning in other areas such as reading and math. Many of Nickelodeon's preschool shows and activities incorporate and teach musical skills and concepts by encouraging children to sing or play instruments, to dance and move to music, to recognize and play with musical dynamics, and even to explore and appreciate different types of music.
Try these Make Music with Us activities.

The Move with Us icon informs parents that their children will be learning about and engaging in activities that support physical development, health, and safety. Early development of these skills sets the stage for lifelong fitness and well-being. This curriculum area focuses on development of fine and gross motor skills to develop coordination, balance, muscle control, and strength. Jumping, running, and kicking a ball are examples of gross motor activities, while fine motor skills may be honed through activities like drawing and puzzle manipulation. This icon is also present on shows and activities that teach about healthy habits, like regular toothbrushing and good nutrition, as well as safe practices like using proper safety equipment and recognizing warning symbols.
Try these Move with Us activities.

This icon focuses on social and emotional development, a key skill area that is interconnected with physical and cognitive growth. Social and emotional skills are developed primarily through interactions with others and are integral in the development of a child's positive self-image, individuality, and respect for others. The Share and Care with Us icon represents skill areas such as building self-esteem, promoting positive social interactions, and identifying and expressing feelings. Specifically, children might learn about sharing, taking turns, manners, improving self-confidence, and developing independence.
Try these Share & Care with Us activities.