Kids programming parents can feel good about
Original shows, national series and local events provided through WOSU make for rich resources for families and teachers.
WOSU welcomes families for free Second Saturdays Kids Days each month. (Photo by Jodi Miller)
Kids and families are an important audience for WOSU TV. Public media has its roots in education, and the station views its work to provide robust learning experiences as a holistic effort.
“We have found the best way to help kids is to provide educational opportunities at multiple intersections in their lives,” explains Amy Palermo ’04 MA, chief content director of educational technology. “We can build on rich educational TV programming by surrounding it with lessons and activities in schools and creating fun and engaging events for families. We can help teachers, families and community members discover new ways to help kids learn and grow.”
Highlights of WOSU’s family programming:
National programming from PBS KIDS entertains young learners, but it’s also built to educate. Education is most effective when it builds on experience, Palermo says, and when teachers bring in a character
children may be familiar with, they’re building on prior knowledge. Through the PBS LearningMedia program, educators and parents can access a catalog of resources, including lesson plans, research, television clips and supporting activities for pre-K through 12th-grade students.
PBS KIDS offers a wealth of shows and games to support various subjects, including “Sid the Science Kid,” “Peg + Cat” for math, “Super Why” for literacy, and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” for social and emotional development.
Original programming such as “Drawing with Mr. J” is recorded at WOSU. This popular program stars Jonathan Juravich, a local elementary art educator and 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year, who uses drawing to help children learn social and emotional skills. Palermo describes Mr. J as a modern-day Mr. Rogers: “He’s charismatic and calming — perfect to create a warm and trustful environment that allows kids to make meaningful connections when they watch from home, school or on a mobile device.”
Each episode comes with a curriculum guide so teachers can use the content as a stand-alone lesson or part of an ongoing series.
Community partnerships, such as Belonging Through Books, are a cornerstone of impactful programs. Funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Education, this alliance brings diverse children’s literature to four local school districts. “Public media is rooted in literacy and diversity. Our goal from the inception of ‘Sesame Street’ more than 50 years ago is to give every kid a mirror into their own world and into worlds they may not experience,” Palermo explains.
Resource guides foster healthy discussions, and professional learning courses show teachers how to implement the new material.
On-site family events get everyone on board to help kids learn. The new Second Saturdays Kids Days receives major funding from The DiMarco Family Fund of The Columbus Foundation. In providing family programming in the Ross Community Studio on the second Saturday of each month, WOSU hopes to occupy a permanent position on the calendars of Central Ohio families.
“Kids get to have meet-and-greets with PBS characters — for kids, it’s like meeting rock stars,” Palermo says. “We try to have fun with giveaways and hands-on activities. Kids are not only having fun, but also are learning along the way.”
Families can register at wosu.org/KidsDays.
