PBS Kids New Fall Show and Free Resources Help Kids Learn

PEG + CAT is an adorable new show starting next Monday, October 7th on PBS Kids (check local listings for air time).  Kids will like the songs and graphics while parents will love the messages of math and healthy living throughout.

FREE EPISODE
Right now you can download the premier of PEG + CAT on iTunesTV for FREE. Offer expires 10/15/13. You’ll need to search for it in your iTunes to get it free.
SNEAK PREVIEW OF PEG + CAT

FREE CRAFTS, RECIPES AND ACTIVITIES
PBS has an entire parent and teacher resource site with crafts, snacks and activities that correlate with episodes for children’s programs.  Check out all the fun ideas they have created for PEG + CAT.

TWITTER CHAT
A twitter chat for #PegPlusCat will take place Thursday, Oct. 3, 8:00-9 EST. Follow @pbskids to learn more about the chat and show.

A DAY WITH PBS
At our house, PBS is the only channel approved for kid viewing. True, we have limited channels using an antennae, but I’m so thankful to have such wonderful children’s programing available for free.  I often assume PBS is the only channel everyone else watches too. I forget that there are so many screen options to watch right now with cable TV, Netflix, electronic device apps, DVDs and more.  As parents we need to monitor and carefully select the programs our kids watch to get the most entertainment and education for our limited time.
Last month, our local PBS station, KBYU, invited local bloggers to lunch at their studios to learn more about their programs and services.
I was surprised to learn that children in Utah are still not as prepared for kindergarten as they should be. Children could increase their preparedness if more families watched PBS kids programs, which are all curriculum based. Just watching can help, but if parents discuss the shows after, or do activities to extend the learning, it will help even more.
FREE RESOURCES
KBYU 11 wanted to make sure all parents and teachers are aware of their special resources.  Click over for activities, recipes and printables for extended learning opportunities that go along with the PBS Kids programs.

FREE LIBRARY VIEWING
Tell your neighbors (who may not have internet access at home) to visit PBS Kids online at the library for games, printables and episodes (find some on You Tube too). They can also check out DVDs of episodes at the library.
Disclaimer: I received free lunch for myself and 4 children along with a tour of KBYU TV studios in Provo, Utah.  I have had a love of PBS for many years and was happy to learn more about their resources and upcoming new show. All opinions are 100% my own.

Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat: New Episodes March 1

I have a confession: I eat breakfast with The Cat in the Hat every morning. I send two of my kids off to school then sit down with my breakfast and two-year-old to watch The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! on PBS. The thing is, I’m know I’m not alone. I know quite a few other mothers who do the same thing.  The show is adorable with its silly rhymes and songs and I’ll admit I’ve even learned some new things.

My view of The Cat in the Hat every morning. Yes, I’m obSEUSSed.

In celebration of Dr. Seuss’ 109th birthday on March 2, PBS will air two brand-new episodes of THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! this Friday, March 1 (check local listings).


On-Air: Kids will join the Cat, Nick and Sally in two brand new episodes - “Rumbly Tumbly / Planet Name Game,” featuring a super shrunken trip into Thing One's stomach as well as a whirlwind trip to each of the eight planets, and “Top of the Sky / Jiggle Bones,” folloing the Cat, Nick and Sally as they travel to Audrey the Astronaut’s space station and visit Dr. Giggles to see why bones are important. 

Online & Mobile: Viewers continue the fun with the Cat in the Hat in the new “Swirly Whirly Pearl Hunt” online game, which is filled with aquatic creatures of all colors, shapes and sizes, and players can catch a ride on the Thinga-ma-jigger to travel deeper and deeper through silly, Seussian schools of fish. Video clips from both episodes will be available for free online at pbskids.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App starting March 1.



IF YOU CAN’T WATCH FRIDAY:
My 7-year-old son will be at school Friday when the new shows air. He loves learning about planets right now and would really enjoy the Planet Name Game episode so I’m glad they offer the online and mobile clips (and games) so he can watch part of the show.
Remember to mark your calendars for Friday or view it online.

PBS Kids Celebrates with Cat in the Hat Show Marathon

PBS Kids is celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Wednesday March 2, with a special 2 hour long marathon of The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That, featuring two new episodes. (Visit PBS to find your local PBS TV station and times.)

PBS Kids has been our “go to” TV channel for years (we are lucky to have 2 PBS stations in Utah). I’ve always loved the safe and educational programs for kids. This past year made me tune in to PBS even more. They started showing The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That, a Dr. Seuss inspired cartoon that uses rhyming to teach science in a child-friendly format.  We love to sing along with the Cat in the Hat as he he hops in the Thing-a-ma-jigger to “Go, Go, Go, Go, on an adventure.”  Martin Short is the voice of the Cat and does a splendiferous job.  If you have PBS, make sure to check this show out during the day with your kids. Episodes are also available on DVD now.

PBS has a great Dr. Seuss Birthday page with ideas and printables to celebrate the  day.

PBS Kids already has a variety of Cat in the Hat online videos, games, printables and activities to tie into the show, but this week they are introducing two new games. The Great Nocturnal Hat Hunt and Such Great Heights.