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Archive for the ‘Parent Resources’ Category

exploreSpring is finally here!  PBS KIDS is celebrating the outdoors with some of your favorite PBS KIDS series.  Find fun activities, games and TV schedules that encourage a love of nature at Explore the Outdoors.  On this specialized section of the PBS KIDS website, you’ll find dozens of games that related to learning from the environment and the animals that live there.  Here’s just a sampling of the activities you’ll find there:

  • In the Park with Skits from Martha Speaks
  • Wilson and Ditch’s Junior Ranger Game
  • The Cat In the Hat Knows A lot About That’s Huff-Puff-a-Tron

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Just as adults struggle to understand the devastating explosions at the Boston Marathon, children also need help to deal with the frightening news they see and hear from various sources.  Fred Rogers long ago understood the best ways to nurture healthy young people during good times and bad , and he left a legacy that supports educators and parents today.   Thanks in part to the assistance of UNC-TV, North Carolina’s public television network, and public television station WTVI Charlotte, a  booklet entitled  Helping Children Deal with Tragic Events in the News:  Timeless wisdom from Fred Rogers for parents, caregivers and teachers is available to you.

In it you’ll find information about what children fear at times such as these, how to make them feel more secure, how to talk and listen to them as well as other helpful hints.  The booklet also shares the story Fred Rogers often told about his mother’s words to him as a boy when he watched frightening news:  “My mother would say to me, ’Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’  Teachers have always been among the world’s helpers, and we hope you’ll find this wisdom from Fred Rogers helpful.

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playPBS KIDS has launched PBS Parents Play & Learn, its first app designed specifically for parents to help them build early math and literacy skills for children 4 and under.  The app provides interactive activities to help parents turn everyday tasks into learning opportunities. PBS Parents Play & Learn is available for FREE for iOS, Android, and now on Google Play and on the NOOK Store.

The app provides more than a dozen games parents can play with their kids, each themed around a familiar location, including the grocery store, restaurant or home. The app not only provides games, but gives parents advice on adapting these games in real-life settings and the option to receive push notifications with more tips for building skills. The app divides activities into three stages: baby, toddler and preschool.

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Make silent reading more meaningful by following these three simple tips provided by Teach Mama. According to Amy Mascott, any parent can do these simple things to support their child’s independent reading at home. Check out the video below:

Teachmama, a Youtube partner of PBS Parents, is a blog focused on providing tips to parents for teaching their kids.  Check out her other great ideas for teaching math, science, and digital literacy.

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screenshotPBS KIDS is excited to release two new, educational apps for kids from their hit TV series DINOSAUR TRAIN and THE ELECTRIC COMPANY.   Meant to encourage math and literacy skills, the apps use familiar characters from the series and interactive, engaging games to practice skills such as counting, measurement, geometry, telling time and much more!

  •  In The Electric Company Party Game: Lost on Prankster Planet, children use their math and literacy skills to help Marcus and Jessica escape from Prankster Planet and get back to Earth.  Based on the show, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY,  the free app for iPad and Kindle Tablet allows kids to complete wacky challenges, counting races, silly brainstorms, math questions and more.  They will add, draw, discuss, think, act, problem solve, and dance their way back to Earth, all while practicing skills in subjects including geometry, data analysis and graphing, telling time and more!
  • In the Dinosaur Train Classic in the Jurassic, Jr. app, based on the series, DINOSAUR TRAIN, kids play through three math-based games focused on sorting, balance and counting to help Gilbert get Troodon Town ready for the big event – the Classic in the Jurassic, Jr. games! This app is available for the iPad for $1.99.

 

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A Dr. Seuss Book List

ohtheplacesIn celebration of a local hero: Theodor Geisel, better known by his penname Dr. Seuss, is one of the most cherished children’s authors of all time. In celebration of his birthday on March 2, PBS Parents has put together a hands-down, all around, takes-the-crown book list featuring our top 12 Seuss books for your enjoyment.  Check out the full list.  Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!!

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noahCoats, gloves, and hats are essential for any snowy adventure! Gear up for a visit to the Arctic with Noah and learn the Spanish words for winter apparel. View the webisode Breaking the Ice and then dress your own Noah Paper Doll! What should he wear today? Color and design Noah’s clothing with vibrant colors and cool patterns.

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sidWinter may be in full force but the science learning continues with Sid the Science Kid.  Sid offers online games with a winter theme and a science focus.  Play with snowflakes and learn about symmetry.  Explore temperature by sorting plants, animals, and objects into their proper climates.  You can even extend the learning with the Temperature Investigation by learning how to use a thermometer to measure the temperature of hot and cold items.

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MAKE-promo1This Wednesday, Design Squad is joining forces with MAKE Magazine for a live STEM Google Hangout. The show’s host, Deysi Melgar, will be presenting 5 kid-friendly DIY projects that are perfect at-home or in-the-classroom activities.  Educators are welcome to join in on the hangout to learn about these great classroom activities.
The Live STEM Hangout will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, February 6th at 3:30EST/12:30PST. Check it out at this link:  https://plus.google.com/+MAKE/posts.

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IMG_0093To celebrate Clifford the Big Red Dog’s 50th anniversary, WGBY held a January birthday party for 80 Clifford fans at the YMCA of Greater Springfield.  Before the celebration, children helped to make a BIG Clifford birthday card that you can view for a while on WGBY’s website.  Among the party festivities, children wore red Clifford ears that they made, listened to a story about Clifford and his owner, Emily Elizabeth, and danced to his lively theme song.  The pre-schoolers also viewed an episode of the big, red, loveable dog that helped them learn the importance of how to “Work Together,” one of Clifford’s 10 Big Ideas.

At Clifford’s parent and educator site, you’ll find lots of activities, many built around his big ideas, such as a Heart Stamp to learn how to “Be a Good Friend,” a Handy Reminder to remember to “Be Responsible,”and Share-a-Sock Puppets to practice how to  “Share.”  In addition, a Guide to Online Activities provides printable hints for each activity and game on the Clifford site to help you help a child get the most from the experience!

All children can celebrate Clifford’s birthday with their families by watching “Clifford’s Really Big Movie,” which will air on WGBY in February!

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