Latest news with #CBeebiesParenting
The Journal
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Balamory cast returns to Scottish island to film new season after 20-year hiatus
THE POPULAR 2000s children's show Balamory is returning for a new season after 20 years. The show, branded by the BBC the world's first soap-opera for pre-school children, follows the lives of residents of a small Scottish island. The cast have now returned to the real-life town, Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, to film a brand new season for the next generation of children. CBeebies shared photos of the cast members Julie Wilson Nimmo, who plays Ms Hoolie, Andrew Agnew (PC Plum), and Kim Tserkezie (Penny Pocket). View this post on Instagram A post shared by CBeebies Parenting (@cbeebieshq) The announcement that Balamory would return was met with excitement among now grown-up fans, including some well-known names. Advertisement Scarlett Moffet, presenter and former Gogglebox star, commented on the post: 'This has made me so happy. Scottish Comedian Paul Black told them to 'bring back the bob,' referencing Ms Hoolie's iconic hair do. Ms Hoolie's green house CBeebies CBeebies Balamory had 253 episodes that aired between 2002 and 2005. From its premiere, it received rave reviews, helping to establish the BBC's new children's channel CBeebies. Each episode centres a selection of the town's colourful characters – which include a painter, an inventor, a bus driver, a shop owner and more – and a problem they must solve. Local pre-school teacher Ms Hoolie, acts as the protagonist and a friend to the others in the town. CBeebies CBeebies Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
BBC tells parents: Speak to your child in mother tongue before English
BBC parenting advice tells families to speak to children in their mother tongue before using English. The broadcaster has launched a new service, called CBeebies Parenting, to support families raising young children. It offers advice on subjects such as buying nappies, reading bedtime stories, cooking meals , and accessing child benefit payments. And its advice on developing language skills urges parents to use their preferred language before English. In an instructional video, Monal Gajjar, a speech and language therapist, says: 'Generally, we encourage parents to talk to their child in the language they are most competent in, their social language. 'So if Bengali is your home language, then use that language with your children.' Ms Gajjar explains that this will help the children build a relationship with their family, and provide a solid foundation for 'an additional language, such as English'. The BBC material explains that it 'is increasingly common for one parent to speak one language and another parent to speak another language' and for them to use 'a common language such as English … to interact with each other'. Additional videos offer insights into introducing children to speaking Polish, Urdu, Punjabi and Gujarati. The launch of this material on the CBeebies Parenting website comes after the 2021 census revealed that 8.9 per cent of people in England and Wales speak a language other than English as their main language. It also comes amid concerns that too many migrants do not have a good grasp of English. Last month, Sir Keir Starmer unveiled plans to make sure migrants speak fluent English if they want to remain in Britain. The level of English required is to be raised from the equivalent of GCSE to the equivalent of A Level. The BBC's guidance takes into account increased levels of bilingualism. Case studies are offered in a Parenting Life section that cover 'raising a multicultural, multilingual child' and 'LGBTQ+ adoption'. Advice is offered on how to create meals on a tight budget, and how to manage screen time for young children, noting that 'there can be benefits to your child's screen time'. The BBC will also offer a Cbeebies Parenting WhatsApp service which parents can contact for advice Patricia Hidalgo, the BBC director of children's and education, said: 'We know parents and carers love the support they get from CBeebies as a safe space for their small children to learn through play. 'And we also know becoming a parent can be an overwhelming time when it comes to finding the right advice. 'So, we wanted to help parents and carers to find expert advice and support in one place from when they are parents-to-be, right through to when their little ones are starting school. We have everything they need to build the virtual village it takes to raise a child.' CBeebies Parenting will offer a Parenting Helpline podcast hosted by celebrity parents Holly Hagan-Blyth, known for starring in Geordie Shore, and Charlie Hedges. Videos on the CBeebies Parenting site include a number of testimonials from other celebrities, including Joe Wicks and Dani Dyer, talking through their approach to raising children. In September, Baroness Benjamin, who as Floella Benjamin pioneered BBC children's TV, will guest star in a new title for youngsters, CBeebies House. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
