PBSParents.org Features More Health Resources and Activities in
"Keeping Kids Fit and Healthy"
ARLINGTON, Va., May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This summer, PBS KIDS
and PBS KIDS GO! invite children on a virtual road trip with a destination
all about being engaged and healthy. Beginning June 2nd, kids can fuel
their minds and bodies with health-themed episodes and online activities,
learning how their favorite character role models in ten different series
live healthy and smart. Kicking off the trip with some new tunes, Arthur,
WORDGIRL's Captain Huggyface and others join in an exclusive new music
video entitled "Get Up and Go" featuring music by famed rock band, THEY
MIGHT BE GIANTS. And with parents at the wheel, PBSParents.org is
supporting their role with more popular health content and resources around
their child's well-being and development.
"PBS KIDS is committed to supporting the whole child -- cognitive,
emotional, social and physical. Helping kids and families embrace a healthy
lifestyle is not just a one-time message; it's a lifelong journey," said
Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children's Media, PBS. "Parents
trust PBS KIDS to guide their children as they explore how to live healthy
and active lives."
Throughout the summer, pbskidsgo.org will offer downloadable content,
games and printable activities and dances for early elementary school kids
through the "Get GOing!" and "Smart Food" links on the Web site. For
preschoolers, the interactive story board -- Dot's Story Factory -- on
pbskids.org will encourage children to express and share how to be healthy.
Ten of the stories from Dot's Story Factory will air on television during
the PBS KIDS preschool destination, home to the #1 show CURIOUS GEORGE, and
other favorites, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, SUPER WHY! and DRAGON TALES.
On-air, children will embark on a virtual road trip of health-related
episodes, visiting characters from ten series to learn how they live
healthy. A detailed grid outlining episode descriptions, airdates and
online content is also available upon request.
And since no road trip would be complete without music, THEY MIGHT BE
GIANTS -- along with Arthur, Ruff Ruffman, the CYBERCHASE gang and others
-- turn up the volume to "Get Up and Go." A downloadable extended version
of the music video will be available at pbskidsgo.org, accompanied with a
printable and customizable dance sequence. The extended version will also
play in movie theaters across the country as part of a partnership with
Kidtoons, an organization that arranges weekend G-rated movie screenings
for kids and their parents.
To support parents who seek information and resources to help steer
their children towards success and well-being, PBS Parents (pbsparents.org)
is launching a new section focused on children's health titled, "Keeping
Kids Healthy and Fit." Topics and discussions will range from winning over
picky eaters and choosing healthy snacks to book suggestions and fitness
games.
For nearly 40 years, PBS' children's service has supported the
well-being of the whole child -- cognitive, emotional, social and physical.
In response to the dramatic predictions around children's health and
longevity tied to obesity, PBS KIDS launched a children's health initiative
to strengthen existing health-related content and resources in December
2007. PBS convened a group of health advisors including public television
and Web producers; PBS member stations; community and education partners;
experts in children's media, development, health and nutrition; and others,
to provide strategic counsel and build upon PBS KIDS' legacy and assets.
The summer road trip, leveraging PBS KIDS' library and characters that
reinforce the importance of good nutrition and physical activity, is an
example of the many assets. A project that would support a cohesive
grassroots campaign to build sustainable healthy communities is in
development.
PBS KIDS first kicked off a content line-up dedicated to inspiring
children to live healthy lives with PBS KIDS and Sesame Workshop's Happy
Healthy Summer in 2005, and continues to model healthy behaviors throughout
the series year-round. PBSTeachers.org provides year-round access to over
900 standards-based classroom resources and 700 book and Web site
recommendations related to health and fitness.
PBS KIDS, for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO! for early elementary
school kids, are committed to providing the highest quality non-commercial
content and learning environment for children across the country. Providing
age-appropriate, diverse programming for kids, PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO!
programs consistently earn more prestigious awards than any other broadcast
or cable network. Only PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! have earned the unanimous
endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. With
additional PBS resources to complement its programming, including PBS KIDS
online (pbskids.org), PBS KIDS GO! online (pbskidsgo.org), PBS Parents
(pbsparents.org), PBS Teachers (pbs.org/teachers), PBS KIDS Raising Readers
and literacy events across the country, PBS is providing the tools
necessary for positive child development. PBS is a nonprofit media
enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 355 public television
stations, serving more than 73 million people each week and reaching 99% of
American homes.
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