Helping Young Writers Thrive

By Beth Fronckowiak, Manager of Learning & Technology, WNED/ThinkBright & Well

We’d all like for our children to excel at reading and writing – maybe even become literary geniuses, writing away in their journals, sketches to accompany of course. But it isn’t always that easy. However, here’s an opportunity that might inspire your young writers! The 2013 PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is underway. Now in its 19^th year (the contest was previously the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators contest – same contest, new name), the contest is a great experience that children will have their entire lives.

In PBS We Trust

By Suzanne Kashuba 

So you’re flipping through the channels trying to figure out what to watch on TV. Or your little ones are tuned in, as you catch bits of laughter and snatches of conversation from the next room.

It may seem like harmless entertainment. Yet, the choices we make about mass media affect our family’s purchase decisions, how we view the world, and how we talk, think and act.

That’s power!

Way Back Wednesday: The Electric Company

By Annmarie Dean

In 1971, PBS debuted a new children’s program, “The Electric Company.”  The program was broadcast three times daily- noon, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.- and WNED-TV was one of 200 public television stations that carried the program.  “The Electric Company” ran for six season (1971- 77) and was revived in 2009 (seen on WNED-TV Monday through Friday at 2 p.m.) 

Factoid Friday: Fact #1

By Annmarie Dean

We produce a lot of TV and radio programs here at WNED.  I bet that you didn’t know that we are the producers of a PBS writing contest for children in Kindergarten through third grade. In fact, our 15-year “Reading Rainbow” contest has been re-branded into the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest.   

While information on the 2012 Contest is not available yet (check back in January), you can still visit the interactive website and read the winning stories from last year. 

The greatest feature about the website is the Make-A-Mashup feature.  Children are able to create their own story using pieces of other stories written by their peers. They can pick out the place, character, object and words that they want used in their one page story. 

It’s actually a lot of fun (I created a Mashup while doing research for this blog post) and a great way to get and keep kids interested in reading!

PBS KIDS characters have important jobs!

By  Suzanne Kashuba

Oh, the excitement!  Those wide eyes and smiles, with arms wrapped around Elmo, Curious George or Clifford the Big Red Dog. Each year at the WNED Kid Fest, I’m reminded that -- among the youngest fans -- the top celebrities are animated.