Funding PBS Helps American Kids

Funding PBS with federal money helps kids get a head start on education.

When my three year old sits down at the TV to watch 'Curious George', 'Super Why!' or any other show that is part of PBS's fantastic lineup of PBS Kids programming, I can tell he is mentally engaged.  He enjoys the programming, and absorbs the messages of learn, read, discover, create, and explore.  I really don't think that he cares if Curious George is Republican or Democrat. To be honest, I don't think he cares that George is a monkey!

Should we let the private sector fill in the gaps left behind in a world of de-funded PBS?  I honestly shudder to think of it.  While Disney and Nickelodeon do a fantastic job of creating great kids programming, they still have to pay for it... through advertising... to my three year old.

Sure, PBS has product lines that go along with their programming, but do they interrupt the programming to shove the product line in my kid's face? No. They leave it to the parent to find the products if they wish. How can they afford to do this?  Through federal (and private) funding.

So cutting PBS's funding will certainly impact the children's programming, and hurt kids. They will spend more time watching advertising between shows, and less time learning what they can from the quality programming that PBS Kids has to offer.

My son has learned a lot from Curious George, is interested in reading because of the influences like 'Between the Lions' & 'Super Why!', has a better understanding of the English language because of 'Word Girl' and 'Martha Speaks', and understands some of the basic tools of science because of 'Sid the Science Kid'.  If you throw in the fact that he can can not only say 'ankylosaurus' and 'giganotosaurus', but can tell the difference between them because of 'Dinosaur Train', then you can't deny that the impact of PBS Kids on early childhood development is invaluable.

Consider this, in 2010, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting received congressional funding of $422 Million.  Of that, $281 Million went to PBS: $210 Million divided among all the local stations (like WGBH) nationally, and $71 Million directly to PBS.  Out of that $281 Million came a lot of great programming, and a huge investment in our future as a country (our kids). Now consider that we currently have earmarked enough money to spend $12 Billion per MONTH to fund the war in Iraq.  That's about $412 Million per day!

Let's take a step back and show a little common sense here for a change.  We need this programming here in the USA to give kids a head start on academics and learning. So what would you rather have? A full YEAR of PBS Kids programming (as well as all the other programming on PBS) that affects millions of American kids daily, or another DAY of War in Iraq?  That's what it boils down to - learning vs. warring.

Either way, you should voice your opinion to the people who represent you in Washington in writing or on the phone.  Here's the contact info for representatives of Massachusetts and the North Shore, you're just a couple of clicks away from being heard:

Smileland Pediatric Dental Care Waltham Malden Massachusetts

Friends of Abbot Library Moving/Book Sale

The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! Image is AI generated
The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! The Friends of Abbot Public Library will be having a moving sale from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, March 30! Stop by the Sail Away Book Shop located in the gym space at Abbot Public Library's interim location...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Bradley Palmer State Park
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Free Friday Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Cow Connection at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for Cow Connection in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come and meet, cuddle, brush, scratch, talk, and sit with our hand-raised cows at Appleton Farms! The mild heart rate and warm body temperature of the cows induces a slowing of our own heart rate, as well as the release of Oxytocin, our social bonding hormone. Visit our scenic and historic dairy...
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Hoo’s Up for Owls?

Look for owls in the woods of camp Denison in Gerogetown, Massachusetts with the folks from North Shore Nature Programs
March is a great month to look for owls. Both Great Horned and Barred owls will have babies in their nests, so these species tend to be vocal and active. Join us for a short hike through the woods at Camp Denison to look and listen for these majestic birds. We will also keep our ears open for...
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Saturday, March 30

Star Party with the NSAAC

Community Egg Hunt at Masconomo Park in Manchester Massachusetts.
The Easter Egg Hunt is sponsored by Manchester Mothers’ Club and Manchester Community Center. This event is open to the entire community. Please join us for a festive morning of crafts, games, the egg hunt, and a visit with the Easter Bunny.
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Egg Buoy Painting at Cape Ann Art Haven

Come to Cape Ann Art Haven to paint your own egg shaped buoy in Gloucester Massachusetts
Kids are invited to Cape Ann Art Haven for for a great Spring crafting experience! Paint an egg shaped buoy for Easter! All materials are included. Free for all ages. Please wear clothing that could be stained. Adult participation required this is not a drop-off event.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Youth Shorebird Art Contest Crafting Day

Stop by the Visitor's Center classroom to join Refuge staff and local artist Patricia Lane Evans for a morning of shorebird art! Our annual Youth Shorebird Art Contest is currently accepting submissions from students grades K-12. We need your help to spread the word about shorebird conservation- so stop by anytime this morning to learn more about the contest and get started on your own original artwork.  We will provide art materials and information about all the amazing shorebirds who use our beaches, as w
Stop by the Visitor's Center classroom to join Refuge staff and local artist Patricia Lane Evans for a morning of shorebird art! Our annual Youth Shorebird Art Contest is currently accepting submissions from students grades K-12. We need your help to spread the word about shorebird conservation- so...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Tails for the Trails - 5k Casual Canicross

Come to Mill Pond in West Newbury the Tails for the Trails 5k Canicross to benefit the Essex County Trail Association!
Come to Mill Pond in West Newbury for ECTA's first ever Tails for the Trails, a 5k casual Canicross! Whether you and your canine partner are beginners or experienced Canicross runners this is an event for you!
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Friends of Abbot Library Moving/Book Sale

The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! Image is AI generated
The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! The Friends of Abbot Public Library will be having a moving sale from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, March 30! Stop by the Sail Away Book Shop located in the gym space at Abbot Public Library's interim location...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Family Snowy Owl Prowl

Join the Trustees of Reservations at the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts in search of the Snowy Owl!
Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, these owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Totoise & Hare 10k/5k Race & Color Run

Tortoise & Hare 5k/10k & Color Run raises funds for the Recreation Department in Salisbury Massachusetts
Come celebrate the arrival of Spring Easter Weekend at the Tortoise and the Hare 5K & 10K and Color Run!! The color run is not timed, but sure to be fun! 100% of the net proceeds will be allocated to the Salisbury Parks and Recreation for the continued development of Partridge Brook Park.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Befriend the Barnyard

Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet, Mabel, Oiver and Charles; Nubian goats Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred; dairy cows Gray, Jasmine, their calves Gigi and Joanie and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Saturday Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
12:00 pm to 8:00 pm