East Meets West as Nick Jr. Introduces Preschoolers to Chinese Language and Culture on Ni Hao, Kai-Lan - A Groundbreaking New Animated Series Premiering Monday, October 22

East Meets West as Nick Jr. Introduces Preschoolers to Chinese Language and Culture on Ni Hao, Kai-Lan - A Groundbreaking New Animated Series Premiering Monday, October 22

Nick Jr.'s New Half-Hour Interactive Series to Teach Preschoolers Mandarin Language for the First Time on Television

* Art available upon request

LOS ANGELES, July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- This Fall, millions of preschoolers will learn that "Ni Hao" means "hello" in Mandarin as Nickelodeon Preschool introduces them to Chinese culture and language on Nick Jr.'s groundbreaking new animated series Ni Hao, Kai-lan. On Monday, October 22, Nick Jr. will premiere the original half-hour, play-along series in which 2-5 year olds will have the opportunity to learn Mandarin words and phrases -- a first for preschool television. Ni Hao, Kai-lan is Nick Jr.'s first series to feature a Chinese-American intergenerational family. Through the eyes of a 5- year-old Chinese-American girl named Kai-lan, the series explores the colorful aspects of her upbringing and background, her relationships with her family and friends and the world around her. Ni Hao, Kai-lan will take preschoolers on a joyful exploration of Mandarin language and Chinese culture, while helping them to identify their emotions and learn coping mechanisms to deal with their feelings.

"Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego Go! have clearly demonstrated how much kids love to interact with beloved characters, as well as embrace new languages and cultures. Karen Chau's stunning designs and stories about growing up as a Chinese-American girl were inspirational in the creation of this groundbreaking new series," said Brown Johnson, Executive Vice President, Executive Creative Director, Nickelodeon Preschool. "Preschoolers will immerse themselves in Kai-lan's rich Chinese-American heritage, while they learn Mandarin language and relevant social-emotional skills. We can't wait for kids to see this incredibly vibrant and playful world come to life."

Ni Hao, Kai-lan is a play-along, think-along series starring Kai-lan Chow, a playful, adventurous bi-lingual preschooler with a big heart, who speaks both English and Mandarin. Kai-lan's world is infused with Chinese culture -- from the dumplings she eats and the lanterns that adorn her house to the huge Chinese New Year celebration she has with her family and friends. Ni Hao, Kai-lan centers on Kai-lan and her relationships with her grandfather, YeYe, and her animal friends. YeYe plays a major role in her life as he gently and playfully guides her to her own discoveries. Kai-lan is a natural leader who is thoughtful and caring and has a gift for helping her friends when they really need her. Her best friends include: Rintoo, a rambunctious five-year- old tiger who loves to play, Tolee, a five-year-old koala who always puts his friends first, Hoho, a three-year-old monkey full of boundless energy, and Lulu, a happy six-year-old pink rhino.

The series focuses on issues common to preschoolers such as taking turns, disappointment and jealousy and supports an emotional intelligence curriculum, highlighting cause and effect thinking in the social/emotional world. Ni Hao, Kai-lan provides simple coping strategies set to song that teach valuable lessons. Kai-lan strives to understand how things are linked together and she always wants to find out the reason why. Every episode follows the adventures of Kai-lan and her friends as they learn to identify their emotions and stop to consider the feelings of others. Kai-Lan leads them as they tackle such issues as what caused Rintoo to get mad, or how patience and practice help Tolee get better at rhyming.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan is created by Karen Chau and Executive Produced by Mary Harrington. Animation production for Ni Hao, Kai-lan is being done in conjunction with Wang Films and the Wang Studio in Greater China.

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.'s Emmy, Peabody and Parents' Choice Award- winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

Nickelodeon, in its 28th 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, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one- rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B).

Source: Nick Jr.

CONTACT: Jodi Davis, +1-212-846-5981 or Jodi.davis@nick.com, or Sharyn
Traub, +1-212-846-6381, or Sharyn.traub@nick.com, both of Nick Jr.

Web site:

http://www.nick.com/

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