OPINION:
Media can spark lifelong inspiration for children. I have witnessed this at home, when my two boys were obsessed with animals they had learned about on “Wild Kratts.” I’ve also seen it in my work leading PBS Kids: children lighting up as they discover patterns through “Odd Squad,” building their reading skills with “Super Why!” and learning how to understand their feelings and be a good neighbor with “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”
At its very best, children’s programming does so much more than entertain children; it can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life. We recently got an email from a young woman studying to become a paleontologist, all because she watched “Dinosaur Train” as a child. One mom wrote to say she had struggled for months to tell her 7-year-old son about his autism diagnosis. After watching a few episodes of “Carl the Collector,” her son asked, “Mom, am I autistic? Because sometimes I feel like Carl.”
She wrote that he had a new way of understanding himself and was thriving because he had a role model he could relate to and learn from, and a supportive community surrounding him.
In the 25 years I’ve worked at PBS Kids, I’ve seen firsthand that stories like these are not the exception but the rule. Thoughtfully designed, rigorously tested media can move the needle in many important areas for children, including reading, math, emotional regulation and empathy. Children who watch PBS Kids shows can gain literacy skills equal to 1.5 months of additional classroom instruction and show significant improvements in mathematical understanding. A recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the lessons from “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” such as how to stay calm if you’re feeling anxious, remain with children well into their teenage years. Many teens who watched the show in their younger years still apply these skills in their daily lives.
This transformative potential is precisely why efforts to defund PBS are so troubling. Recently, the Department of Education abruptly terminated essential grant funding for PBS Kids. This means programs almost ready to premiere, including a brand-new literacy series for children, will be postponed. Stations nationwide use this funding to hold camps and summer learning activities, which are now in jeopardy. This grant also funds many PBS Kids staff members, so we are forced to make tough choices about preserving our service.
Critics point to the explosion of choice for children today as a reason that we no longer need PBS Kids. I have to say that I’ve always been a champion of media for children, but as a parent, I find the children’s media landscape today kind of scary. Content is increasingly created for algorithms, with little regard for what’s appropriate or safe. Because children increasingly watch shows or play games on phones or tablets, it can be harder for parents to keep a close eye on their viewing.
In this new reality, quality educational programming that puts children first is even more important. The free PBS Kids channel, website and apps ensure that high-quality educational content remains accessible to all families — no subscription required. Our local stations extend our impact through community engagement, bringing educational resources directly to families who need them most. We also provide a safe, trusted place for children to explore the world.
As we look to the future, we should ask how the media can do even more to support children’s development and well-being. How can we harness its power to reach more children, particularly those with the fewest resources? How can we use it to address children’s significant challenges, including academic readiness and mental health?
The answer isn’t to reduce our investment in quality educational media. If we truly believe in building a better future for our children, we should invest more, not less, in PBS Kids and other efforts committed to children’s development.
• Sara DeWitt is the senior vice president and general manager of PBS Kids.
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