Moses Lake's Juergens is on Sprout TV

MOSES LAKE - One Moses Lake preschooler will find out what it's like to be on TV this weekend.

Three-year-old Tyson Juergens was selected for the Sprout network's "PICME" show for children. Juergens' photo appears in an episode called "Time" at 5 p.m. on Saturday, on Moses Lake's Juergens is on Sprout TV PBS Kids Sprout channel.

Juergens' mom, Shannon, submitted Tyson's photo online and he was chosen to appear in the preschooler-oriented learning show alongside animated animal friends Juno, Gerty, Banjo, Umi, Clarence  and Neville.

Hundreds of parents submit their children's photos in hopes of appearing in the twice-daily show, says Barbara Murphy, a representative from Fish with Feet, a company representing the Sprout network.

"They are all randomly selected and since 2008 there's been thousands of submissions. It's national, so parents from all over the country submit photos," says Murphy.

Juergens says Tyson is excited, but a little skeptical that he'll appear on one of his favorite shows.

 "Tyson says, 'Oh I am?' He thinks I am teasing him, I think," says Juergens. "If they (the characters) ask questions he likes to try and answer before they say anything, then he'll argue with them."

Juergens says she submitted a photo she already had to the program, because Tyson has recently become shy around cameras.

Tyson's name appears in the show's opening, then his photo is superimposed onto an animated body for the "Time" episode.

"I think it will be a little treat for him and might help with him in the future looking at other programs and thinking the characters are talking to him." says Juergens, "But if he was interested in being on TV, I would let him do it."

"Sprout is all about parent-child interaction," says Murphy. "It's about having an engaged, shared viewing experience." 

PICME debuted in 2008 on the Sprout channel and is based around the day of preschoolers with shows spanning the day, says Murphy.

"In the evening there is The Good Night Show with yoga and stretching. The pace of the program is a little more helpful in easing the child into their nighttime routines," says Murphy. 

Support materials such as recipes and craft projects are also part of the program and available online.

"They can watch it on TV, then go online and support it with crafts and activities kids and parents can do together," says Murphy. 

Juergens says Tyson's experience with PICME might make him more receptive to learning in the future.

"If they are going to stay at home and watch a little TV in the mornings, it might as well be something to do with learning," says Juergens.

PBS KIDS Sprout is the first 24-hour preschool option on TV for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers. Since debuting its video-on-demand service in April 2005, Sprout has had more than a billion orders.

The network's program lineup of well-known, curriculum-based children's shows also includes "Sesame Street," "Bob the Builder," "The Wiggles," "Thomas & Friends," and more.

For more information, visit www.sproutonline.com.