A Summer of Possibilities From PBS KIDS

Summer break is almost here. As families, educators and little learners look to summer break as a time to reset, PBS KIDS is here to help them celebrate the simple joys and special moments together.

To kick off a summer of possibilities, PBS KIDS and local stations across the country will offer new content, resources, and community-based support geared toward fun and learning all summer long that encourages new adventures and true appreciation for the little things. 

PBS KIDS viewers will get a chance to stream their favorite series, including new episodes from DONKEY HODIE (June 6-9), ODD SQUAD (July 4-8), ALMA’S WAY (July 11-14), and MOLLY OF DENALI (July 18-21). A new one-hour special, DANIEL VISITS A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD, will premiere on June 20 and new shorts from XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM will debut in July, which will explore themes like compassion, kindness, gratitude, curiosity, and more.

Parents can find resources that inspire their kids’ curiosity and play this summer through the PBS KIDS for Parents summer hub, which will be regularly updated with new content. Resources include:

·       A printable summer checklist to encourage kids to explore new things and a list of unique summer activities to try

·       Recommended apps for summer learning (and road trip distraction)

·       A PBS KIDS activity book, filled with fun prompts and games to keep kids engaged 

·       A summer reading guide (my favorite part)

 
Kids can also find curated game collections on pbskids.org and video playlists on the PBS KIDS Video app and the PBS KIDS YouTube channel.

For educators teaching this summer or preparing for the school year to come, PBS KIDS provides resources great for both student growth and teacher professional development, including:

·       The Summer Camp: Fill Each Day with Possibilities! Collection

·       These printable PBS KIDS activity starters that include conversation cards to engage with content as well as a puppet theater kit to support storytelling

·       This summer  activity book

What possibilities lie ahead for your family this summer?

Celebrate Earth Day with Resources from PBS KIDS

Earth Day is celebrated around the world annually on April 22. PBS KIDS recognizes that it’s important to teach little ones about the changes around us and the importance of protecting nature, too. Here are some resources to nurture learning outside the classroom:

• How do you celebrate Earth Day? Get inspired with 15 ways to celebrate Earth Day with kids.
• These PBS KIDS Explore the Outdoors hubs feed kids’ curiosity about nature, animals, and the changes that come with warmer months.  
• What does ‘recycle’ mean? Learn about turning something old into something new with Daniel Tiger.
• ‘Nature is Our Neighbor’ is a catchy Wild Kratts original–filled with fun visuals and easy ways for everyone to pitch in and save our planet! 
• Want to learn more about composting? Elinor Wonders Why shows us what the compost cycle is all about here. 
• As busy routines pick back up, this article shares a handful of reminders of why getting outside can be so special to slow down as a family.

Check out PBS KIDS for Parents to find more helpful resources.

Celebrate National Encourage a Young Writer Day on April 10th

National Encourage a Young Writer Day is celebrated on April 10th. To encourage little ones to put pen to paper, PBS KIDS is sharing activities and resources that get the creative juices flowing. 

Children learn to read and write when they are shown by example. When my girls were little, I spent days in the classroom holding writing workshops or participating as a mystery reader.

Unsure where to get the creative process started? Here are some activities below for any age:

• 13 PBS KIDS Games for Reading and Storytelling is perfect to share with your youngsters, and they’re all available on the PBS KIDS Games App and website 
• Check out a few of these exciting 9 Children’s Books Filled with Fantasy from your local library
• Plan to Host Storytime at Home on April 10^th. You can Skype in friends and family to join the fun 
• This book list is guaranteed to get the whole family giggling 
• For quick inspiration and great role models, check out previous winners of the PBS KIDS Writers Contest

PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS for Parents offer free access to media content and community-based experiences that support learning for young children. 

PBS Resources to Help Celebrate Women’s History Month

March 8 is International Women’s Day and the month of March is Women’s History Month. PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS for Parents offers resources and activities for little ones to learn about strong women and the importance of gender equality.

• In PBS KIDS for Parents’ “How to Raise a Self Confident Girl,” Katie Hurley arms caregivers with a guide to nurture girls’ self-confidence 
• Check out these tips to encourage girls in STEM
• Join Xavier Riddle and friends in meeting strong females throughout history, including the first American woman to go to space, Sally Ride
• This book list, perfect for ages 3 to 9, is filled with stories featuring girls from different cultures and backgrounds, exploring how dreams can lead to lifelong learnings
• Help young girls lead with courage, through the guide “How to Raise a Leader,” which teaches new skills and recommends volunteering with the community as one of many ways parents can help raise strong women.

PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS for Parents is here to help you honor strong women throughout history.

Help Your Child Celebrate Black History Month with Resources from PBS KIDS

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, but its origins reach far back into American history. PBS KIDS supports parents in teaching about and celebrating Black voices, now and all year long. Here is a list of some of their resources:

• A YouTube playlist of videos, including on the origins of Black History Month and an animated short of Amanda Gorman’s poem, “Talking Gets Us There”
• A collection that helps parents celebrate Black leaders with conversation prompts, activities, crafts and more
• Seven activities for families to celebrate Black History Month together

• A Learn Along Bingo printable that helps young kids honor Black leaders including Trombone Shorty and Misty Copeland

Broadcast and streaming options are available for families to tune-in and celebrate Black History Month. Check your local listings for times to watch/stream these free programs.

• PBS KIDS Family Night: Celebrating Black Leaders with PBS KIDS will air the following episodes on February 4-6, 7-10 pm ET:
  • Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – I am Harriet Tubman
  • Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – I am Maya Angelou/I am Frederick Douglass
  • Peg + Cat – The Dance Problem (feat. Misty Copeland)/Follow the Bouncing Ball
  • Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – I am Rosa Parks/I am Thurgood Marshall
  • Arthur – Muffy Misses Out/Arthur Takes a Stand (feat. Rep. John Lewis)
  • Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – I am Ella Fitzgerald/I Am Jesse Owens
• Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum “Celebrating Black Leaders” episodes will also air throughout the month, including:
  • I am Billie Jean King/I am Arthur Ashe (February 9)
  • I am Maya Angelou/I am Frederick Douglass (February 10)
  • I am Wilma Rudolph/I am Jonas Salk (February 16)
  • I am Zora Neale Huston/I am Charles Dickens (February 18)

Stream free on PBS KIDS throughout the month:

• Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
  • I am Maya Angelou/I am Frederick Douglass
  • I am Rosa Parks/I am Thurgood Marshall
  • I am Wilma Rudolph/I am Jonas Salk
  • I am Harriet Tubman
  • I am Zora Neale Huston/I am Charles Dickens
  • I am Billie Jean King/I am Arthur Ashe
  • I am Jesse Owens/I am Ella Fitzgerald
  • I am Florence Nightingale/I am George Washington Carver

• Arthur
  • Muffy Misses Out/Arthur Takes a Stand (feat. Rep. John Lewis)
  • George Scraps His Sculpture (feat. Kevin Sampson)/Arthur’s Big Meltdown
  • Big Horns George (feat. Koko Taylor and Taj Mahal)/Bleep

• Peg + Cat
  • The Dance Problem (feat. Misty Copeland)/Follow the Bouncing Ball
  • The Peanut Problem (feat. George Washington Carver)/More Adventures of Robin Hood
  • The Polka Dot Planet Problem/The Mardi Gras Problem (feat. Billie Holiday)

• PBS KIDS Talk About
  • “Talking Gets Us There” by Amanda Gorman

For more resources, downloadable content, and activities, visit Learn at Home With PBS KIDS | PBS KIDS for Parents