PBS KICKS OFF A “GET UP AND GO SUMMER ROAD TRIP”
This summer, PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! invite children on a virtual road trip with a destination all about being engaged and healthy. Beginning June 2nd , kids can fuel their minds and bodies with health-themed episodes and online activities learning how their favorite character role models in ten different series live healthy and smart. Kicking off the trip with some new tunes, Arthur, WORDGIRL’s Captain Huggyface and others join in an exclusive new music video entitled “Get Up and Go” featuring music by famed rock band, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS.
And with parents at the wheel, PBSParents.org is supporting their role with more popular health content and resources around their child’s well-being and development. “PBS KIDS is committed to supporting the whole child – cognitive, emotional, social and physical. Helping kids and families embrace a healthy lifestyle is not just a one-time message; it’s a lifelong journey,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS. “Parents trust PBS KIDS to guide their children as they explore how to live healthy and active lives.”
Throughout the summer, pbskidsgo.org will offer downloadable content, games and printable activities and dances for early elementary school kids through the “Get GOing!” and “Smart Food” links on the Web site. For preschoolers, the interactive story board – Dot’s Story Factory – on pbskids.org will encourage children to express and share how to be healthy. Ten of the stories from Dot’s Story Factory will air on television during the PBS KIDS preschool destination, home to the #1 show CURIOUS GEORGE, and other favorites, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, SUPER WHY! and DRAGON TALES. On-air, children will embark on a virtual road trip of health-related episodes, visiting characters from ten series to learn how they live healthy.
And since no road trip would be complete without music, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS — along with Arthur, Ruff Ruffman, the CYBERCHASE gang and others — turn up the volume to “Get Up and Go.” A downloadable extended version of the music video will be available at pbskidsgo.org, accompanied with a printable and customizable dance sequence. The extended version will also play in movie theaters across the country as part of a partnership with Kidtoons, an organization that arranges weekend G-rated movie screenings for kids and their parents.
To support parents who seek information and resources to help steer their children towards success and well-being, PBS Parents (pbsparents.org) is launching a new section focused on children’s health titled, “Keeping Kids Healthy and Fit.” Topics and discussions will range from winning over picky eaters and choosing healthy snacks to book suggestions and fitness games. For nearly 40 years, PBS’ children’s service has supported the well-being of the whole child – cognitive, emotional, social and physical.
In response to the dramatic predictions around children’s health and longevity tied to obesity, PBS KIDS launched a children’s health initiative to strengthen existing health-related content and resources in December 2007. PBS convened a group of health advisors including public television and Web producers; PBS member stations; community and education partners; experts in children’s media, development, health and nutrition; and others, to provide strategic counsel and build upon PBS KIDS’ legacy and assets.
The summer road trip, leveraging PBS KIDS’ library and characters that reinforce the importance of good nutrition and physical activity, is an example of the many assets. A project that would support a cohesive grassroots campaign to build sustainable healthy communities is in development. PBS KIDS first kicked off a content line-up dedicated to inspiring children to live healthy lives with PBS KIDS and Sesame Workshop’s Happy Healthy Summer in 2005, and continues to model healthy behaviors throughout the series year-round.
