Tag Archives: pbs

Parents of Preschoolers Upset About Dora the Explorer

Although we limit television viewing in our household, I have to admit that there are some shows that make all of our lives easier. For example, if I have a sick preschooler or if I need to keep everyone out of the kitchen for 30 minutes they can do the trick (yes, I feel guilty enough already). Some of the shows that meet our approval include Blues Clues, Sesame Street, Cyber Chase, Between the Lions and Dora the Explorer. My kids have learned some things from watching the shows, and they enjoy them as well. I don’t know if you … Continue reading →

Richard Roeper Leaves “At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper”

I love “At the Movies.” It has been around since 1975 in one form or another. I remember watching Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel battle it out about movies when I was a teen, giving the thumbs up or thumbs down gesture. I had no idea the premise was that Ebert wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times and Siskel was the movie critic for the rivaling Chicago Tribune. I just knew it was a good show that reviewed movies and having always loved movies, I loved the show. Of course, over the years, the show changed quite a bit. It moved … Continue reading →

PBS Classic Returns

“Hey, you guyyyyys!” The Electric Company is returning to TV. If you were a devout fan of the 1970s PBS children’s classic like I was then you have not forgotten Rita Moreno’s attention grabbing show opening scream. The instant my brothers and I would hear: “Hey, you guyyyyys!” we would run to our spots in front of the TV. While there we would anxiously wait for Spider-Man’s cameo and laugh along with the pun-filled sketches. Man, I loved that show. Which is why I was thrilled to hear that the series is coming back to PBS next January. Show producers … Continue reading →

New Gigs For Some Old Favorites

I’ve always heard that you shouldn’t fix what’s not broken. So, I’m not sure what producers of the 37-year-old PBS classic “Masterpiece Theatre” are thinking by reformatting the show. Producers call it a “new move,” which means they are doing more “sprucing” than “revamping.” Either way regular viewer of the legendary anthology series will have to get use to a new look. According to show producers, the show will be split into three mini-seasons, each with its own theme and host – one of whom is Gillian Anderson. That’s right; Agent Dana Scully from the now defunct FOX series “The … Continue reading →

Super Why – PBS show for preschoolers

Super Why is a new show for preschoolers on PBS that encourages early reading skills. The show is also available to view online or download as a podcast. One of the Super Why show goals is to make reading adventurous and fun. Super Why does that, and more. The characters go on reading adventures, discover the alphabet, practice the magic of spelling, and use the “power to read” to change the story. Each show starts with a social or manners problem preschoolers can relate to, like being considerate, asking before taking something, or how to be a good friend. The … Continue reading →

PBS Games

I couldn’t let National Literacy Month pass without talking about the very fun PBS site for kids. PBS games are fun, colorful, easy to play, and educational. Many support reading skills. There are so many games for so many ages that I can’t list them all. Here though, are a few of my favorites. In Global Gizmo, under the Arthur Section, the player matches pairs of musical instruments from around the world. When you click on the pictures you hear what the instruments sound like. There is a link that explains where the instruments come from. Some are familiar like … Continue reading →

Television Updates: When Two Worlds Collide

It’s a rare event when mother and child can agree on a television show (at least in our home). I would never expect my 3-year-old to ask to watch Matt Damon’s appearance on Oprah. Likewise, I usually duck out when my daughter is watching “Arthur” on PBS so I can fold a few loads of laundry. But, come September 3rd my daughter and I have a date with the same television show. Hottie Matt Damon (who is currently playing former assassin Jason Bourne in “The Bourne Ultimatum”) is tackling a new project next month—complete with bear ears and fur. The … Continue reading →

Clifford The Big Red Dog

Do you have a little one who is a big fan of Clifford? If so, visit this website, where you’ll find all sorts of learning adventures and fun activities that are all about the big red dog. At Clifford’s website, you can clock on a friend to play with: Clifford, T-bone, Cleo and the rest of the Clifford gang. In Doggy Detective, kids can click on clues to recover a stolen medal. There are several other games to play and other activities. The website offers plenty of opportunity to read and develop reading skills. Younger children will love the printable … Continue reading →

My Brother’s Brush With Fame

Have you ever watched the PBS show “Antiques Roadshow?” The television hit has become a cult classic in the decade it has been on the air. The show features appraisers who assess the value of people’s belongings–from family heirlooms to just plain junk (some of which turns out to be relics worth thousands of dollars). It’s what you might get if you were to cross the lottery with a treasure hunt, only in a garage sale/circus-type of environment. Now that you know what the show is about you may be better able to appreciate my brother’s experience with it. A … Continue reading →

PBSParents.org

I was watching PBS Kids Sprout with my daughter yesterday when I saw an ad for PBSParents.org. Of course, I had to check it out. It has all kinds of advice for parents, and it contains activities, games, and even recipes that relate to your children’s favorite shows. There are nine parents guides, as well as six tabs across the top of the page to help you navigate the site. Each section relates to parents and their children. There are tips on child development, how to talk to your children, and even a place where you can pose questions to … Continue reading →