News Release
June 2, 2014
Lisa Parker Lott
601-432-6777 | lisa.parker@mpbonline.org
MPB ANNOUNCES NEW SUMMER LINEUP FOR KIDS
PBS to offer free, fun, and educational content and tools for families
Jackson, Miss. – Starting Monday, June 2, Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) and PBS are introducing a new summer kids’ line-up, as well additional free resources to help families learn and explore all summer, MPB announced today.
“It’s a proven fact that during the summer months student retention of classroom activities declines, causing a loss of learning that impedes educational instruction once the school doors open again for a new school year,” said Ronnie Agnew, Executive Director of MPB. “While this occurs in all population segments, it is especially acute among low-income households. MPB is happy to partner with PBS to offer free resources and activities to combat the summer slump.”
MPB will now feature back-to-back episodes of family favorites like “Wild Kratts,” “Curious George,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Dinosaur Train,” and “Arthur” throughout the day. The new schedule promises families double the fun and double the learning with double episodes.
Viewer can also catch other PBS KIDS favorites in full online at www.pbskids.org/video.
In an effort to help bridge the summer learning gap experienced by school-aged children, MPB and PBS are offering several digital resources for kids and parents alike:
- PBSKIDS.org/learn: PBS KIDS provides parents with daily learning tips, extended learning ideas and recommended games and activities now through August 22.
- Camp PBS Parents: Parents can also be inspired to make this a summer full of learning and fun Every week, parent bloggers will provide educational activities, crafts, experiments and other resources for parents to explore with their children at pbsparents.org/camp.
- PBS KIDS Partner Resources: Throughout the summer, parents can download free summer learning materials from Carson-Dellosa at summerlearningactivities.com/PBS and from LeapFrog at leapfrog.com.
- Free Apps: PBS KIDS offers a variety of free apps for parents and kids to support summer learning, including the new PBS KIDS Super Vision App and PBS Kids Video. Information about the apps is available at pbskids.org/apps.
- Free Episodes and E-books: Parents can download a free PBS KIDS episode each week at iTunes.com/PBSRaisingReaders.
Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) provides instructional and public affairs programming to Mississippians through its statewide television and radio network. MPB enhances the work of educators, students, parents and learners of all ages by providing informative programming and educational resources. MPB’s locally-produced programming focuses on the people, resources and attractions that reflect Mississippi’s unique culture and diverse heritage. Children’s television programs constitute a major portion of the daytime and weekend morning schedules. MPB provides a valuable resource to Mississippians in disseminating information as part of the state’s emergency preparedness and response system. Since 1970, MPB has won over 400 national, regional and statewide awards, including Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice® Awards. For more information on MPB, its programs, mission or educational resources, please visit www.mpbonline.org.
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.
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