“Ready, Set, Grow”: KCTS town hall special explores the science of early learning
Seattle’s KCTS aired “Ready, Set, Grow” on May 27, a town hall special about early childhood development. The hour-long primetime special explored the science of brain development in children from birth to age five, and the factors surrounding the process of early learning.
The special featured panel discussions and interviews with doctors, policy makers, child care experts and non-profits and incorporated field stories and audience questions.
“While TV broadcast immediately reaches the most people, community engagement is where the rubber hits the road and we ensure that the materials and information are reaching those who need it most,” said Daphne Adair, Communications Specialist at KCTS. “Plus, KCTS 9 and public television have a long track record of working with community partners […who] are very helpful in getting the word out about our efforts.”
Adair said the special was KCTS’s highest-rated program of the evening and feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. The program was also translated into Spanish and aired on KCTS V-me. Videos of the broadcast are available online, where viewers can provide feedback and access other resources.
KCTS hopes that the program will lead to greater awareness in the community of the importance of early learning and the different approaches a parent can take. “Ready, Set, Grow” is evidence of public broadcasting’s important and expanding role in early childhood education.
“For every $1 invested in early learning, we see a $16 return—in taxes, wages and savings,” Adair said. “We know that if kids aren’t prepared to learn, they’re more likely to drop out of school and resort to other activities…We have the power to change that—and public broadcasting has the opportunity and obligation to provide that message to the community.”
__________________________________________________________________________________ WXXI takes early education to the web, launches site for kids Rochester, New York’s WXXI recently launched a new interactive website geared exclusively towards kids age six to ten—one of the fastest growing segments of Internet users. The site, WXXI.org/kids,is framed around PBS KIDS GO!’s award-winning children’s programs. The site brings together resources from PBS and WXXI for a fun,kid-friendly online experience.
“Kids are going online at younger and younger ages,” said Marion French,Assistant Vice President of Education and Interactive Services at WXXI.“They spend as much time online as they do watching traditional broadcast. It is important for WXXI to be where our young audience spends their time.”
At WXXI.org/kids, users can provide feedback and ask questions; watch PBS KIDS GO! shows online in addition to new WXXI video content like the Homework Hotline; and learn about upcoming events and WXXI shows.
Kids can also play a number of online gamesthat educate them about specific topics, like “State Fair” (U.S. geography), “Germinator” (science and health) and “Dollar-A-Glass”(math and economics). The games and website are designed to be captivating and appealing to kids, but also educational and appealing to parents.
“WXXI wanted to offer a unique online environment and content for elementary school aged children. We wanted kids to feel that the site was ‘just for kids,’” French said. “The site also supports our educational mission to provide a safe haven for kids to learn and have fun.”
WXXI.org/kids was made possible by a grant from PBS KIDS GO!, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It has received more than 1300hits and 1070 unique visitors so far.
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