Watch What's the Word

What's the Word from Noggin is a television show for young learners and language enthusiasts. It premiered on Noggin, the Nick Jr. channel's streaming service in 2021. The show is hosted by a jovial cartoon character, a blue bird named Birdie, who helps preschoolers build their vocabulary and improve their language skills in a fun and engaging way.

Each episode of What's the Word from Noggin is about four minutes and follows a similar format. Birdie introduces a word and then asks children to guess its meaning by contextualizing it in relatable scenarios, using pictures, sounds, and gestures to illustrate the concept. Birdie may also ask children to provide synonyms or antonyms for the word or use it in a sentence. The segments are interactive, inviting young viewers to play along by shouting out answers, clapping, or mimicking Birdie's moves.

What's unique about the show is that it uses a diverse range of words that expand beyond the typical sight words or basic nouns and verbs. In each episode, children learn new vocabulary related to a theme, such as animals, transportation, or emotions. For instance, one episode may introduce words like "nimble," "scurry," and "sprint" to describe different ways animals move. Another episode may teach words like "sailboat," "submarine," and "hot air balloon" to describe modes of transportation that explore water, air, and land. The show also covers more abstract concepts like feelings, manners, and nature.

What's the Word from Noggin employs several techniques to make learning new words entertaining and memorable for young viewers. Besides using visuals and sounds, Birdie uses repetition, rhyming, and humor to emphasize the meaning and pronunciation of words. For instance, in an episode about "emotion," Birdie may act out various emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger, and use facial expressions to make the meanings clear. In an episode about "politeness," Birdie may say "please" and "thank you" repeatedly in funny ways, encouraging children to join in.

One of the show's strengths is its diversity and inclusiveness. The cast and crew of What's the Word from Noggin reflect a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and Birdie's adventures take her to different parts of the world, exposing children to different languages, customs, and landscapes. The show also features guest appearances by real-life children who share their perspectives on the words and themes of the episodes, adding a personal touch and promoting social skills.

What's the Word from Noggin has several benefits for young viewers. First and foremost, it helps children build their vocabulary and comprehension skills, which are crucial for later reading and writing. By introducing varied and age-appropriate words, the show fosters a love of language and curiosity about the world. Second, the show promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging children to make connections between words and their contexts, to infer meanings from visual cues, and to compare and contrast different concepts. Third, the show emphasizes social-emotional skills by exposing children to positive values like kindness, respect, and resilience, and by modeling effective communication and cooperation. Finally, the show helps children build their confidence and self-esteem by providing a safe and supportive environment where they can express their ideas and participate in learning.

In conclusion, What's the Word from Noggin is an entertaining and educational show that provides young viewers with a fun and engaging way to learn new words and concepts. Using a range of interactive techniques and a diverse array of words and themes, the show fosters language, cognitive, and social-emotional skills that prepare children for success in school and beyond. Whether watched alone or with a caregiver, What's the Word from Noggin is an excellent resource for children who love to learn and explore the world of language.