Arlington, VA, February 6, 2014 – PBS KIDS is celebrating the 100th day of school with the problem-solving, math-loving duo Peg and Cat from the newest PBS KIDS preschool show, PEG + CAT. PBS KIDS is providing educators and parents with resources from PEG + CAT to encourage early math learning in the classroom and at home. Free interactive games, streaming video and hands-on activities at pbskids.org/peg will help kids and parents everywhere count down and count up to their 100th day of school. The PEG + CAT Big Gig App for iPad, Kindle Fire and other Android devices also helps kids understand math concepts such as numbers, counting, patterns and more.
The 100th day of school is a momentous occasion celebrated by schools across the country. Grounded in a rich math curriculum, PEG + CAT offers a variety of interactive content themed around the number 100 to add to this celebration, including online games and hands-on activities. PBS KIDS is also offering parents and teachers tips for celebrating the 100th day of school with educational activities. Additional games and activities can be found at pbskids.org/peg. Educators can also find classroom activities at pbskids.org/learn.
“As we continue to see reports of U.S. students underperforming in math achievement, it is more important than ever for children to begin building math skills at a young age,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “PBS is committed to offering content to help support early math learning, and research has shown that our resources are effectively entertaining and educating children. Developed with a standards-based curricular framework, PEG + CAT is a great resource to excite young children about math in the classroom and at home, and to encourage them to discover math in their everyday activities.”
As part of the 100th day of school, local PBS stations in communities across the country are implementing PEG + CAT-themed education and engagement activities for low-income children in partnership with schools, after-school programs, early childhood centers and other local organizations.
PEG + CAT follows the adorable, spirited Peg and her sidekick, Cat, as they embark on adventures and learn foundational math concepts and skills. Created by Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster) and Jennifer Oxley (Little Bill, The Wonder Pets!) and produced by The Fred Rogers Company, PEG + CAT brings young viewers a new way to experience math through Peg and Cat’s relatable, and often hilarious, adventures. Each PEG + CAT episode features original songs and fascinating stories in which Peg and Cat encounter a problem that requires their use of math and problem-solving skills in order to move forward. The series airs daily on PBS KIDS (check local listings).
PEG + CAT, along with this education and engagement effort, is part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education and CPB. Ready To Learn is a federal program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families.
PEG + CAT offers a wide variety of digital content that includes online games, streaming video, hands-on activities and a mobile app. Available on pbskids.org/peg, these resources engage preschoolers and help them learn math concepts and skills.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Fred Rogers Company
The company was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the nonprofit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional and behavioral health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children. The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org.
About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,400 locally-owned and -operated public television and radio stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services.
About The Ready To Learn Initiative
The Ready To Learn Initiative is a cooperative agreement funded and managed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. It supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families. Its general goal is to promote early learning and school readiness, with a particular interest in reaching low-income children. In addition to creating television and other media products, the program supports activities intended to promote national distribution of the programming, effective educational uses of the programming, community-based outreach and research on educational effectiveness.
Contacts:
Maria Vera, PBS; 703.739.3225; mvera@pbs.org
Meredith Gandy, 360PR; 646.568.3238; mgandy@360pr.com
The contents of this release were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. [PR/Award No. U295A100025, CFDA No. 84.295A]
