To celebrate the Monday launching of Arizona PBS KIDS, a new 24/7 channel, Arizona PBS sponsored a festival allowing families to interact and take photos with PBS KIDS characters and participate in activities that promote literacy, health and STEM education. There were story-time activities and arts and crafts with PBS KIDS characters, as well as theater-style screenings of children’s programming on the new Arizona PBS KIDS channel.
“The quality programming on Arizona PBS KIDS promotes lifelong learning and encourages children to interact with the world,” said Arizona PBS CEO Christopher Callahan. “We are thrilled to be opening our doors to the public for children to have the opportunity to learn and play with some of their favorite friends on television.”
Families were able to explore the state-of-the-art facility that houses Arizona PBS and have fun with broadcasting technologies such as green screen video. They also were able to take photos with Ollie the Trolley.
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Tony Cruz does crafts with his son Asher, 4, on the sixth-floor PBS studio of the Cronkite building on ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus. The Arizona PBS KIDS Festival on Monday marked the launch of the network's new children's channel.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Melanie Alvarez (right), the executive producer of Cronkite News, takes a photo of Tara Swenson and her 5-year-old son Evan in the Cronkite newsroom.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Members of Girl Scout Troop 1377 tackle arts and crafts projects at the festival.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Elliot Schapira, 6, finds words in a crossword puzzle with her mother, Rosemary, in the First Amendment Forum of the Cronkite building at the Arizona PBS KIDS Festival.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Spencer Owens gets ready to pose for a photo with his 5-year-old daughter Adyson at the Arizona PBS KIDS Festival.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
Launching on the day of the festival, Arizona PBS KIDS features an array of programming to help young children master important skills, ranging from reading and basic math and science to problem solving and emotional skills.
The new channel will feature innovative, impactful programs designed for children from preschool through early elementary school to develop a strong educational foundation. The channel will broadcast popular programs such as “Arthur,” “Clifford,” “WordGirl,” “Wild Kratts,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and “Sesame Street,” among others.
“Research confirms that PBS KIDS programming helps children build the critical skills they need to succeed in school and life,” said Linda Simensky, vice president of children’s programming at PBS. “Studies show that PBS KIDS resources improve kids’ achievement in important areas, such as literacy and math, and increase parent engagement in their children’s learning. Through the new 24-hour Arizona PBS KIDS channel, children across the state will have anytime access to programs that are proven to move the needle in early education.”
Top photo: Excited festival goers take photos with Daniel Tiger, a popular PBS cartoon character. The event Monday marked the launch of the network's new children's channel. Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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