NYC Moms: Behind-the-Scenes PBS Kids Recap

Last week I had the privilege of joining a group of NYC and NJ Mom Bloggers for a behind-the-scenes look at the popular and much loved Super WHY. We also participated in discussions on the research and development of the show with the show's Creator and Executive Producer, Angela C. Santomero, Lesli Rotenberg, PBS' Senior Vice President of Children's Media and Sandra Sheppard, Executive Producer and Director of Children's Educational Programming, at Wnet.org.

The PBS panel was wonderfully made up of intelligent, successful young mothers, and it was evident as the discussions went along that the Bloggers in the room were as informed, as educated, and as interesting as our hosts.

Topics of discussion ranged from the detailed thoughts and educational process taken into consideration with the development of the show, to the educational value and even effectiveness of such shows on their targeted audience. I was a bit star struck by Ms. Santomero, as I knew her mostly as the co-creator of my first born's favorite show, Blue's Clues back in the late 90s. I had no idea, though it makes complete sense, that Ms. Santomero has an educational background, and in listening to her explain the various details she implements in her shows, she sounds very much like an education professional, focused not only in finding the best ways to help kids learn in the area of literacy and math, but also in making it fun and interactive.

We learned that Super WHY was created on research-based literacy curriculum and uses an engaging approach through their lovable superhero characters (Alpha Pig, Princess Presto, Wonder Red, and Why) that kids can relate to in order to build the fundamental skills that kids need for the "power to read." I appreciated many of questions asked by the Bloggers, and the honesty in their feedback and comments. For example, the topic of whether television was harmful to children, and if it negatively affected a child's ability to learn came up. One mom immediately admitted that she loves t.v. and her kids watched it all the time, where as another mom shared how it was shows like the ones she watched on PBS that helped her to learn the English language.

Ms. Rotenberg explained, and I wholeheartedly agree, that though these shows do not replace the value of the education attained in many of our Pre-schools and other activities in which many parents are able to afford for their kids, they can and often do compliment them.

There are also those kids who, unable to access those same priviledges, are able to at least "keep up" because of the learning they gain from these shows. This is my personal experience as well, not only as the child of immigrant parents, but as a parent myself who cannot afford to send my children to pre-school centers and other facilities where they gain exposure to early learning in a class room environment before they officially start school. However, because of my work with them, and shows like SUPER WHY!, Sesame Street, and others, my children can count, know their shapes, their colors, etc. In addition, the social skills I work so hard to teach them are also reinforced and supported, such as sharing, being polite, and dealing with conflict.

We were also introduced to the various educational websites available to both parents and kids from PBS. The sites provide activities and educational resources for parents to become involve in building the educational experience with their child in a fun, interactive way.

We all left with a “PBS Kids Media Toolkit” at the end of the event which includes at home activities based on the Three Pigs SUPER WHY! episode (which we have a DVD of). My kids, who are younger, are slowly beginning to grasp the concept of these exercises. Ms. Santomero emphasized the importance of repetition for younger kids such as mine, as this enables them to really understand and learn the information being given to them, and allows them to confidently interact in the challenges not only in the t.v. shows, but also on the website and like the ones we have in the kit provided to us.

Parents and friends can try the same activities at home your child/children by visiting the PBS Parents site.

I am grateful to have had this opportunity to meet these influential women, and to learn more about the programs so beloved by my children. It gave us the opportunity to ask really great questions, discuss even greater points, and focus on ways to incorporate what they are watching and learning through ton television in every day activities with our kids to further compliment their learning experience, even if this is done from home with us.

Here is what some of the attendee's shared on their personal sites!