PBS Survey Finds Parents Need Help Supporting Math Skills for Young Children
Austin, TX, March 6, 2013 - Although research shows that math skills at kindergarten entry can be an even stronger predictor of school achievement than reading skills, many children do not realize their full potential in mathematics. While a variety of factors contribute to lagging math skills, a new survey released by PBS KIDS suggests parents place less emphasis on math, since they view other skills as "the greatest predictor of achievement later in life," ranking reading and literacy and the ability to pay attention and work hard ahead of math. The national survey of parents with children ages 2-12 also indicated that parents are less likely to support their kids' math skills from the earliest ages, and that many parents have anxiety about supporting math learning at home. PBS KIDS in partnership with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has announced "It All Adds Up," an effort that aims to boost math learning at home -and everywhere- by providing resources for parents.
“It All Adds Up” builds on the collection of more than 100 games and apps that PBS KIDS and CPB have launched over the past two years through Ready To Learn to help build math and literacy skills. The effort also introduces new multiplatform tools, including the new PBS Parents Play & Learn App and a new team of experts called Math Mentors, to help parents increase their own confidence with math and nurture their children’s love for math from an early age. All of these resources are accessible on PBS KIDS Lab, a site that aggregates games, apps and offline activities to help support math and reading learning for kids 2-8. The site also offers several gaming suites, each of which links a set of games across platforms – accessible through computers, mobile devices and interactive whiteboards – so that kids can engage with the same characters as they move from device to device. The content is also linked by curricular frameworks, leveraging games on a variety of platforms to support key math and reading skills.
Learn more here: It All Adds Up!
Harvesting the High Plains Awarded Best Documentary - People's Choice Award in the 34th Annual Telly Awards
Williamsburg, VA– March 22, 2013– The Telly Awards has named Inspirit Creative as a Silver Winner in the 34th Annual Telly Awards for their documentary, Harvesting the High Plains. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this is truly an honor. The “Silver Telly” is the highest honor awarded through the Annual Telly Awards. “We are thrilled to accept this award,” said Sydney Duvall, Producer and co--screenwriter of the film. “We dedicate this award to the men and women who made their living on the Great Plains and showed tremendous courage to overcome. Their contribution continues to inspire future generations on the Plains today.” Harvesting the High Plains is currently preparing for a national release with PBS this fall.
Inspirit Creative, a film production company based in Williamsburg, Virginia produced Harvesting the High Plains in association with KPTS.
For more information go to: http://www.harvestingthehighplains.com
PBS #1 in Public Trust For Tenth Consecutive Year
ARLINGTON, VA – February 21, 2013 – An annual national survey conducted over the last 10 years has consistently confirmed that PBS and its member stations are ranked first in trust among nationally known institutions and are considered an “excellent” use of tax dollars by the American public. The yearly study has also called PBS the most fair network for news and public affairs 10 consecutive times. In the most current round of research, PBS KIDS was named the most educational TV/media brand, the safest destination for children to watch television or visit online, and the top provider of content that helps children learn reading, math and essential skills. In each question, PBS KIDS significantly outscored cable and commercial broadcast television. Click here for more information.