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:

Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

Saturday, April 12

Salisbury Egg Hunt

Community Egg Hunt for kids ages 2-8 at Salisbury Massachusetts Elementary School.
If you're looking for some Easter fun the kiddos can enjoy, Salisbury Parks and Recreation Commission is hosting their annual Egg Hunt next Saturday at the Salisbury Elementary School for kids 8 and under. Visit their page to learn more!
9:45 am to 11:00 am

Kite Day at Cogswell's Grant

Kite Day at Cogswell Grant is a wonderful fall afternoon event for North Shore families
Come fly a kite at Cogswell's Grant in Essex Massachusetts! Bring your own kite or build one of your own, and watch professional kite flyers from Kites Over New England. Kite-building workshops will be held with all materials included, where kids and adults can make their own kites and learn how to...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Read to a Dog at SPL

Kids are invited to read to a therapy dog at the Salem Public Library in Massachusetts
Have a new or struggling reader who needs to build confidence and practice reading aloud?  Come read to Hendrix, the trained therapy dog, a sweet a non-judgmental listener!  Bring your own book to read, or choose one of ours.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

2nd & 4th Saturday at Lynn Museum

Lynn Museum in Massachusetts offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month.
Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for FREE family fun. Join us on the second and fourth Saturday of each month for FREE admission to the Museum from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.! You can view our latest exhibitions, purchase Lynn-themed goods in our shop, check out books in our free library, and...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

LEGO Club at Salem Public Library

Come to the Salem Massachusetts Public Library for an afternoon of LEGO and fun!
Salem Public Library hosts a morning session of LEGO fun! We provide the LEGO, you provide the imagination.  Stop by the library on Saturday mornings (every other Saturday) to play and build.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Dads & Donuts Storytime at NTL

Dads & Donuts Storytime at Newbury Town Library in Massachusetts
Come to our Dads and Donuts monthly event to get quality bonding time with your child, listen to some stories, and eat donuts! You don't have to be a dad to come- all family members are welcome.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Long Hill Garden Tours

Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants. Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate...
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Big Night at IRWS

Come explore the vernal pools of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with Mass Audubon!
On the first warm rainy night of spring, wood frogs and salamanders begin a mass migration to the vernal pools where they breed. This mass migration is referred to as "Big Night!"
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

Walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts with the Trustees under the full moon.
There is almost nothing more peaceful than a evening walk at the Crane Estate, and we would like to invite your family to join us for a unique hiking experience. With the full moon rising over the Atlantic, we’ll start with a sunset stroll along Crane Beach admiring this spectacle before heading...
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Full Moon Hike at Ward Reservation

Join the Trustees on a journey up Holt Hill under the light of the full moon at Ward Reservation in Andover!
The Explore! North Shore hiking series will get you outside and moving at some lesser explored Trustees properties across the Northeast Region, at the right time of year to see these special places shine. These beginner hikes will not be too strenuous, and will offer frequent stops for learning and...
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm