PBS KIDS invites children and families around the nation to give thanks to the people who are helping their local communities amidst the fight against COVID-19. Kicking off during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8, 2020), the PBS KIDS “Thank You Neighbors” campaign encourages families to celebrate essential workers in their communities – from teachers and healthcare professionals, to grocery store clerks and delivery personnel. Resources to help children share their gratitude and learn about the roles helpers play in the community are available on pbskidsforparents.org, which will be updated throughout the month.
“Gratitude is a powerful tool— it’s something we can give back to those who help us every day, and it offers children a therapeutic outlet that leads to positive emotions,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “Fred Rogers said it best when he said, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ There are so many people who are helping in our communities today, and we encourage families to join us in celebrating them for making our communities safer, stronger and healthier in this unprecedented time.”
Throughout the month on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, PBS KIDS and local PBS stations in communities across the nation will provide fill-in-the-blank cards for families to complete and share digitally with the hashtag #ThankYouNeighbors – thanking teachers and essential workers. PBS KIDS has also created printable coloring sheets with fill-in-the-blank prompts that can be e-mailed to teachers and essential workers, or posted in windows for community helpers to see.
On pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games app, children can play the Hero Maker Game, which allows them to create essential worker heroes like postal carriers, utilities workers, first responders, doctors and more. The game is inspired by PBS KIDS series XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM, which is based on the children’s book series, Ordinary People Change the World. In addition, the PBS KIDS for Parents website will feature articles that can help parents teach their children about the essential workers in their communities and how to be a good neighbor.
PBS KIDS videos will also help children explore the helpers that make up a community, and how to say thank-you to others. From DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD to PBS KIDS’ “You Me Community” music videos, a variety of content is available on the free PBS KIDS Video App. Additionally, a “Thank You Neighbors” playlist from PBS KIDS favorite series is available on PBS KIDS YouTube.
And in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day (May 5), PBS today announced the educators selected for the PBS 2020 Digital Innovator All-Star program, which recognizes teachers nominated by their local PBS stations as leaders in their communities. Read more here.
Join PBS KIDS in saying #ThankYouNeighbors on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media, and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen- and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children’s learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school readiness and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook , and Instagram.