Tree Fu Tom Reviewed by a Mom with Dyspraxia

Jam is currently 4.75 years old. 

Have you heard of the animated series Tree Fu Tom that started airing last fall in the UK?

Here's the official blurb:

Tree Fu Tom is about the amazing adventures of a young boy called Tom who, with the power of ‘movement magic’ called ‘Tree Fu’, can transform into a tiny but mighty magical super hero and travel to a wondrous enchanted kingdom called Treetopolis that exists in a tree in his back garden.

The series features exercises that have been specially developed to promote movement and co-ordination development in children with dyspraxia and similar conditions.

So, of course, I'm interested. Especially since it's aimed at 4-6 year olds and I've got one of those!

And, of course,  I got so impatient for it to air in the US awhile back that we bought used DVDs from England. But you don't have to because now Tree Fu Tom is playing on PBS Sprouts and Amazon Instant Video and iTunes. We don't have money for fancy cable channels like PBS Sprouts or to pay $1.99 an episode on Amazon or $2.99 an episode on iTunes. So I'll just stick with my used DVDs, thanks.

By now, I've seen the first 13 episodes a million times. Well, really, like four times each. It just feels like a million. But still- that's at least 52 viewings and you'd think I'd have some concrete opinion about Tree Fu Tom by now but I don't.

The graphics are nice. The characters are fine. The stories are cute. I don't really care about that stuff. I care more about it's ability to get my low-energy son motivated and participating in the 'movement magic'- those specially developed exercises for dyspraxic kids.

And I got a bit worried when, after the 24th viewing, he was still just watching the episodes and never engaging in the exercises. I could see why, though.

The initial exercise sequence, where the kids 'turn the magic on' is made up of fast, complicated moves set to electro-beat music. Hell, I can't even follow them! Maybe if they would just cut a few moves, slow the distracting music down and give a little more time between steps, I'd have a chance. Dyspraxics tend to have processing issues and need a little extra time to think and execute between moves.

The rest of each episode's exercise sequences involve the kids creating 'Big World Magic' to help Tom solve some problem. These are better. There are fewer steps and they're good ones- crossing the midline, stretching, balancing and all sorts of uncomfortable stuff for dyspraxics. But made fun! And the timing between moves is just right- enough time to mentally process the next step and physically do it, but at a challenging pace. And, most importantly, they run through the sequence twice. Repetition is key in the world of dyspraxia!

Now there was one episode in particular, "Fungus Among Us", that Jam would just watch over and over intently. (Lord, if I never see that episode again....)   And with Jam, there is always a method to his madness. There's a reason for everything he does. And I began to suspect that he was just watching the moves over and over and trying to lock them in his mind before attempting them in the real world.

And sure enough, one day he climbed off the couch and starting doing them. Not perfectly or smoothly or refined in any way because, well... he's dyspraxic. And he's four. But it was very awesome! And now when the show's on, he jumps around and performs "movement magic" with Tree Fu Tom. And he has a good time doing it.

So, all in all, it appears Tree Fu Tom has been a success in our home. It pairs well with one of my favorites,  Bo on the Go, which we watch through Netflix and which does a great job at getting kids moving and doing simple, fun sustained exercises for improved skills and increased stamina and endurance.

By the way, here's a relevant article. It's called "How Tree Fu Tom Can Help Children with Dyspraxia".