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 - Friday

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...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Saturday, April 5

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

Yukan Fool's Run | Half Marathon & 5k

Yukan hosts the Fool's Dual Half Marathon and Half Marathon in Gloucester Massahcusetts
Yukan hosts the Fool's Dual Half Marathon and Half Marathon in Gloucester Massahcusetts! Jump into spring with beautiful ocean views as you run along the scenic coastline on Cape Ann. Kids 5K only $10.00! (12 & under, Open to ages 6 and up)
9:00 am

Music Together - Saturday

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...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Vernal Pools | Family Nature Series

Vernal Pools - Family Nature Series with Essex County Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs
Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs team up for this event for all ages! What sound do frogs make? Turns out, they make a lot of different sounds! Come meet the residents of the vernal pools to learn who says ribbit, quack, chirp, peep and more!​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We recommend...
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Girls in STEM Session at Acera School

Acera Schools Girls in STEM Hands-On Science Event for K-8 Kids in grade K-8
Do you know a girl who is curious about science? Join Acera School on Saturday, April 5th from 10AM to 12PM for an exciting – and FREE – morning of interactive STEM! The event will be held at Acera School, located at 5 Lowell Ave in Winchester. Free on site parking is available.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sunday, April 6

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 pm

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

CoastalExplorer: Sand Dune Safari

Come hike the dunes of Crane Beach at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
The sand dunes at Crane Beach are like a desert. Water is hard to come by; the sand is hot and the dunes are always moving & shifting with the strong ocean winds. Despite these stressors, a variety of life thrives here. Come explore the dunes of Crane Beach, and learn how animals and plants...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Boston Children's Chorus at Shalin Liu

Boston Children's Chorus will perform live at the Shalin Liu Center for the Performing Arts in Rockport Massachusetts
Experience an uplifting and dynamic performance of the Boston Children’s Chorus, where the diverse and talented voices of Boston’s youth shine, captivate and inspire! BCC’s vibrant, jubilant and powerful performances have established them as leading young artists in the city of Boston and beyond. ...
3:00 pm

Chess Night at Beverly Library

BevRec and the Beverly Public Library are teaming up to offer Chess Nights in the Beverly Massachusetts Library.
You do not have access to view this node and BevRec are teaming up to offer Chess Nights in the Barnett Gallery in the main Library at 32 Essex St, Beverly. The first Monday of each month through May, come and play the world’s greatest game (if you don’t count Pac Man) with your neighbors. This is...
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm