PBS Kids It All Adds Up

by Micaela

I was invited to visit PBS Headquarters to learn about their new "It All Adds Up" math initiative. Many parents have anxiety when teaching math to our children, and by the 4th grade,  60 percent of students are performing below proficient levels in math.  Yikes!

" Parents with older children are more likely to practice math skills daily with their kids than parents of younger children. Sixty percent of parents of 5-8-year-olds practice math daily with their kids, whereas only half of parents of 2-4-year-olds do. Parents are also more likely to practice reading skills with their kids than they are to practice math" (PBS Kids It All Adds Up Online)

As a former educator who always worked in low income areas, I also applaud the efforts PBS has taken to make online learning free and accessible to kids in many communities. Check out all the new fun and free learning opportunities: 

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PBS Parents Play & Learn App:  This is my favorite new app little ones (and it's free!)  There are 13 interactive games set at fun locations such as the zoo, playground, grocery store, and more that deal with early math concepts like counting, colors, ordering, and patterns.  Each game contains two levels (easy and hard) and has parent tabs that contain directions and enrichment ideas.  Plus, the app is completely bilingual (in English and Spanish.) This is the perfect download for your tablet or smartphone. 

PBS Lab: Browse the PBS Lab website to find free games and apps featuring favorite PBS Kids characters such as Curious George, Martha Speaks, DInosaur Train, Wild Kratts, The Cat in the Hat and more! Users can search by games by using filters such as age range, skills, device, and tv show. There are also home and classroom activities for offline learning. 

Hanging Out with Curious George at PBS Headquarters

At the event, I also learned that PBS Kids will launch a cute new animated series his fall called PEG + CAT. This preschool program will follow the characters on engaging adventures and teach foundational math concepts and skills. Be on the lookout for the premiere this fall, and be sure to take advantage of all the free, fun learning opportunities for parents and children through PBS Kids It All Adds Up.



I was invited with my child to attend the PBS Kids It All Adds Up event at PBS Headquarters.   We received lunch, listened to a presentation, and got to try out the apps and games firsthand in the PBS Kids Learning Lab.  I also received a goody bag with discount codes for free PBS Kids apps.  No other compensation was paid for writing this post.  All opinions are my own. 

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