Nickelodeon to Launch Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits Exclusively at Toys"R"Us Stores in July

LAS VEGAS, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon today announced the consumer products line for Team Umizoomi, the first preschool series to focus entirely on math, will launch with the Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits.  Offered exclusively at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide beginning in July, the kits will provide a hands-on, interactive way for preschoolers to experience math with their parents and incorporate math into everyday life.  The Team Umizoomi Math Kits can be purchased online from Nickelodeon in mid-July.

"Team Umizoomi has become a big hit with preschoolers who enjoy learning about math through the superhero characters and the entertaining storylines," said Leigh Anne Brodsky, President, Nickelodeon Consumer Products.  "We wanted the first consumer products based on the series to extend the show's unique math curriculum experience. Like the series, the Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits provide interactive entertainment and show kids how to solve real-life problems using math skills."  

Nickelodeon worked with a team of educational consultants to develop the Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits, which cover the nine areas of math preschoolers need to know before starting kindergarten: numbers, counting, patterns, shapes, measuring, positioning, sorting, classification and reasoning.  The Kits reinforce the idea that math is all around us and are based on three popular Team Umizoomi episodes – "Playground Heroes," "Carnival," and "Aquarium Fix-It."  

The Team Umizoomi Math Kits include:

• 48-page workbook that amplifies the curriculum covered in each episode, setting up problems and providing opportunities for practice and repetition
• 24-page storybook that invites kids to join Team Umizoomi on a math adventure
• 24 Mighty Math Mission Cards – portable cards that provide math-based challenges for kids
• 48-page activity book that reinforces math skills through simple games and activities
• Team Umizoomi episode on DVD

"From the first time we saw a preview of Team Umizoomi, we knew the program would be a hit with the preschool set," said Richard Barry, Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, Learning and Electronics and Entertainment, Toys"R"Us, Inc.  "We've been working with Nickelodeon ever since to bring this brand to life in our stores, and we are excited that Toys"R"Us is the first place parents can find Team Umizoomi products."

Team Umizoomi is currently in its second season and has been one of the top preschool shows on TV since its launch in January 2010. It is a top-five preschool show on all television and is consistently number-one in its time period every day. Created by Blue's Clues alumni, Team Umizoomi features a tiny team of superheroes who use their mighty math powers to help little kids solve big problems.  The series combines action-adventure missions with an interactive math curriculum designed to help kids develop self-confidence in their math abilities and appreciate the many ways in which math shapes their world.  

Nickelodeon is the number-one destination for preschoolers on commercial TV with four of the top five preschool shows on all TV – Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, and Max & Ruby.  The network provides preschoolers with highly engaging programming and products that promote social and cognitive development by teaching thinking skills in a playful way.  

About Nickelodeon Consumer Products

Nickelodeon Consumer Products manages the world's number-one TV-based licensing business, representing leading properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does.  The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.  Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon