This Earth Day, join WETA Kids and America’s favorite monkey for a new one hour Curious George special: Curious George Swings into Spring. From spring fever to spring cleaning, from a canoe ride to a hot air balloon journey, George and his friends get WETA Kids ready to explore the outdoors this Earth Day. Tune into WETA Kids Monday, April 22 for the premiere and throughout the week to swing into spring with George again, and again!

You know it must be springtime if a curious monkey named George is dancing on the balcony at sunrise! The Man with the Yellow Hat is sure that George has spring fever, so he takes George to the park to experience all the wonders of spring. George is so excited about spring that he wants Hundley the dog to have spring fever, too, but Hundley and the Doorman are busy trying to win the Mayor’s spring cleaning prize. When a broken water pipe floods the building, Hundley has to stay with George in the country, and George tries to make sure Hundley enjoys spring, too. Even blooming flowers, baby animals and a canoe ride can’t make Hundley love spring. What’s worse – Hundley gets lost in the country! Searching for his lost friend, George accidentally launches a hot air balloon rally and, piloting a balloon, sails over the countryside. Luckily George manages to grab Hundley from a hilltop along the way. Together they balloon triumphantly to the city. The Man with the Yellow Hat and the Doorman stage a daring rooftop rescue. Not only are George and Hundley saved, but they manage to win the coveted Spring Building Prize! Finally, to George’s delight, Hundley now has spring fever, too!

Watch the trailer here!

WETA’s Start with a Book offers adults engaging ideas for getting kids into books and reading. The free resources from Start with a Book build on topics that children already like — dinosaurs, building, animals, sports, superheroes and music — so that parents, camp counselors, and others can have fun and interact meaningfully with children while helping to strengthen their reading skills.

In conjunction with the WETA Kids special episode Curious George Swings into Spring, WETA’s Start with a Book has three resource topics that relate to the show:

• Our Green World
• Bugs, Birds, Animals
• Gardening

Check out these resources and head to your local library to begin exploring!

Monday March 25, join WETA Kids for the premiere of Sid the Science Kid: The Movie! Sid and his friend Gabriela go on an adventure in The Super Ultimate Science Museum. After winning a science fair contest for creating an awesome science experiment, Sid and Gabriela are named “Junior Investigators” and get a special viewing of the new museum before it opens to the public. 

Once there, they meet quirky scientist Dr. Bonabodon who has designed robot tour guides of the future, including Bobbybot, his greatest creation. When Sid and Gabriela are introduced to Yangyang and Niuniu, the impressive big-kid “Future Scientist” contest winners from China, they start to wonder if they really know their science stuff. Together the four pals observe giant honey bees, investigate robots, and even encounter a giant singing Tyrannosaurus Rex. But after their robot tour guide short circuits, Sid, Gabriela, Yangyang, and Niuniu have to work together and use science to try to save the day.

Together, they learn that you can be a scientist at any age and that thinking like a kid is sometimes the best way to solve a problem!

Watch a preview of Sid the Science Kid: The Movie!

Don’t forget that every Sunday during out WETA Kids Block Party, you can watch five episodes of Sid the Science Kid back-to-back from 12:30pm – 3:00pm! 

The WETA Kids Block Party showcases every episode of all your favorite shows from the week, back-to-back in a special block on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re up late on Saturday, watch every WordGirl episode from the previous week from 10:30pm – 1:00am or DVR it for Sunday morning!

But coming next week, we have something extra special for WordGirl fans: March-Enemy Week! Everyone’s favorite vocabulary-slinging super hero squares off against a cavalcade of evil-doers in WordGirl: March-Enemy Week! From March 11-15, WETA KIDS has five brand-new WordGirl episodes including the two-part Dinner or Consequences. The title of this week’s theme is a play on “arch enemy”. This means every episode is action-packed with an encounter between WordGirl and some of her most nefarious foes: Chuck the Evil Sandwich-Making Guy, Birthday Girl, Tobey, The Butcher, Granny Mae, The Energy Monster, and, of course, Dr. Two Brains.

Click here to watch a preview of WordGirl: March-Enemy Week!

Be sure to tune in March 11-15 for five all new WordGirl episodes and stop in every Saturday from 10:30pm – 1:00am for The WETA Kids Block Party: WordGirl.

For more WETA Kids Block Party information, check out our blog post on The WETA Kids Block Party Curious George, The WETA Kids Block Party Dinosaur Train, and The WETA Kids Block Party Wild Kratts!

Day at the Museum / Best Fan Club Meeting Ever

The WETA Kids Block Party has every episode of your favorite shows from the past week back-to-back on Saturdays and Sundays. Tune in every Saturday from 3:00pm – 5:30pm to watch an entire week’s worth of Dinosaur Train! 

Click here to watch a video preview of Dinosaur Train: Submarine Adventure!

family want to follow some friends on an undersea fishing trip, the conductor unveils a new invention – the Dinosaur Train Submarine! On its maiden voyage, Otto Ophthalmosaurus guides the sub deep into the ocean using his big eyes that can see in the dark. Then, the family meets Shoshana Shonisaurus, an enormous marine reptile that’s something between a dolphin and a whale, and Maisie Mosasaurus, a huge fast swimming lizard with flippers. Finally, the family watches small eggs hatch on the beach. Baby Archelon turtles emerge and start to swim away. The family follows them on their journey across the ocean where they will grow up to be giant-sized sea turtles!

If you missed out on Wild Kratts during the week or you’re hoping to catch an episode again, don’t worry! The WETA Kids Block Party showcases every episode from the past week of all your favorite shows, back-to-back in a special block on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s the perfect way to relax, have fun, learn, and spend time with the family during the weekend. During the WETA Kids Block Party, watch Wild Kratts every Saturday from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

This week on WETA Kids, tune in for the brand new, hour-long special episode Wild Kratts: Lost at Sea! The Kratt brothers head to the most populated and diverse habitat on Earth — the coral reef — in “Blowfish Blowout”. Then the Wild Kratts decode the secret language of dolphins, among the smartest creatures on Earth, in “Speaking Dolphinese”. Tune in to WETA Kids Monday January 21 at 5:00pm and catch it again during the WETA Kids Block Party Saturday January 26 at 5:30pm!

Click here to download the Wild Kratts: Lost at Sea Aquarium Guide so you can stay on top of the adventures!

Remember to check back right here on our blog for more features from WETA Kids!

After that last tolerable bite of scrumptious pumpkin pie concluding a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, the winter holiday season is officially in full effect. The DC, MD, and VA PBS station, WETA, wants to start the season off right! We’re bringing you classic and new kids’ holiday programming on Friday, November 23 that will have your family full of excitement for the upcoming holidays! Whether the kids in your home are early risers or need to sleep off last night’s turkey, WETA will air this three hour line-up throughout the day so everyone can enjoy! Be sure to bookmark and subscribe to the Programmer’s Choice blog for more information about programming on WETA’s four channels: WETA TV26, WETA HD, WETA UK, and WETA Kids!

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas

Start off the holiday season with Arthur and his pals as they prepare for what they hope will be the perfect holiday. Along the way, the gang will learn that perfection isn’t everything and that the reason for the season is more than an excuse for presents and parties. Elwood City proves to be a diverse community where people celebrate a wide range of holidays: D.W. and Arthur anxiously await Christmas day and lose sight of the meaning of Christmas along the way. Francine celebrates Hanukah which collides with Muffy’s “holiday extravaganza” party. Binky follows a family tradition of volunteering at a homeless shelter and Buster finds that ever since his parent’s divorce, the holidays aren’t the same. George celebrates Saint Lucia Day-a Swedish holiday- and Brain celebrates Kwanza. Will they discover the true meaning behind their holidays in time to enjoy them? Celebrate the holidays with Arthur and his friends with great online activities on PBSkids.org!

Watch Arthur’s Perfect Christmas Friday, November 23 on WETA KIDS at 7:00am, 4:00pm, and 7:00pm and on WETA TV26 at 6:00am.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Join the always-lovable monkey on a grand adventure as he and The Man with the Yellow Hat get into some monkey business in their preparations for Christmas day. Everything is merry for Curious George and his best friend until each discovers that finding the perfect gift for the other is quite the challenge. The Man with the Yellow Hat simply can’t understand George’s colorful and monkey-scribbled Christmas list and George feels no gift is fit for his dear friend, a man who has virtually everything! Watch Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas to find out what ends up beneath the Christmas tree, it may be more than wrapped presents!

Watch Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Friday, November 23 on WETA Kids at 8:00am, 5:00pm, and 8:00pm and on WETA TV26 at 7:00am.

PREMIERE: The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas

Get ready to add another classic to your favorite holiday movie collection because the one and only The Cat in the Hat is celebrating Christmas! In this exciting one-hour special, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas, the meaning of the holiday shines through when Nick, Sally, and The Cat in the Hat help Ralph the lost reindeer find his way back to his home of Freezeyourknees Snowland. The Cat in the Hat guides the group on a voyage around the world hoping to arrive in time for Christmas but they run into glitches along the way. When the Thingamajigger breaks down, the friends must get creative to continue on their trip and so they solicit the generous help of exotic animals who exemplify the “Christmas spirit”! Nothing can stop the new-found friends from getting to Freezeyourknees Snowland in this PREMIERE of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! Educational and entertaining all wrapped into one? Impossible you say? Play the newest online game inspired by The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! Click here to download the free, printable coloring sheet for the show!

Watch The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas Friday, November 23 on WETA Kids at 9:00am, 6:00pm, and 9:00pm and on WETA TV26 at 8:00am.

It’s not rocket science… kids love Sid the Science Kid! Monday November 12 kicks off a week of FOUR ALL NEW EPISODES for “Living Things Week” right here on WETA Kids and WETA TV26!  Our excitement is bubbling over like a messy science experiment thanks to the many lessons awaiting our brains. Sid and his friends take care of a praying mantis and learn what kind of habitat and food this class pet needs. Then the young scientists find out that even when they don’t want to, sleep is important. The kids take a trip to the Science Center and explore the life cycles of living creatures. Finally, allergies and sickness are under the microscope after Sid gets the sniffles and Gerald has an allergic reaction!

We want to ensure that no matter how hectic your schedules are, the Sid fans in your home get a chance to watch Sid in action. Below you will find the multiple air dates and times of each episode, along with episode descriptions and fun activities! Don’t forget to grab your magnifying glass and explore PBSkids.org for Sid the Science Kid games, printables and educational activities to keep your child’s brain active and learning while they’re having fun!

Not sure where to watch WETA? We’ve made it easy for you!

WETA Kids (Antenna 26.3, Cox 801, Comcast 266, FiOS 472, RCN 38)

WETA TV26 (Antenna 26.4, Cox 26 & 802, Comcast 26 & 267, FiOS 26 & 471, Dish 8076, RCN 26)

Premiere! “Sid’s Pet Project”

Airs on WETA Kids

Monday November 12, 2012 at 12:00pm

Monday November 12, 2012 at 8:30pm

Friday November 16, 2012 at 12:00pm

Friday November 16, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 12:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 2:30pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Tuesday November 13, 2012 at 11:30am

Monday November 19, 2012 at 11:30am

“Sid’s Pet Project”

Sid is very excited because he’s going to babysit Grandma’s dog Philbert for the weekend.  This is a great way for Sid to show his parents that he’s ready to take care of his own puppy.  But there’s only one problem…how exactly do you take care of a pet?  Sid heads to school to investigate more, and is delighted to see the special guest.  It’s Gabriela’s Mom, Dr. Rosalinda Cordova!  She brought the class their very own pet…a praying mantis!  And now the kids have to learn how to take care of it.  That means investigating what the praying mantis needs to eat, drink, and what kind of home it needs.  As Sid quickly discovers, taking care of a pet is a big responsibility!

Science Lesson: Taking Care of Living Things

Life Lesson: Before we make a commitment, we must understand the responsibilities involved!

Download this free Sid's Pet Project activity sheet courtesy of PBS Kids!

Premiere! “Sleep? Who Needs It?!”

Airs on WETA Kids

Tuesday November 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday November 13, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 1:00pm

Monday November 19, 2012 at 12:00pm

Monday November 19, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 25, 2012 at 12:30pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Wednesday November 14, 2012 at 11:30am

Tuesday November 20, 2012 at 11:30am

“Sleep? Who Needs It?!”

Sid is ready to stay up all night so he and his stuffed animals can pretend to fly into space on a rocket ship!  When his Mom insists that he can’t stay up, Sid ventures to school to investigate more.  He and friends explore how the body needs sleep to properly function, and most important, we need sleep to grow and stay healthy!   Understanding that sometimes we feel too excited to sleep (like before an adventure into space), Susie presents a special Super Fab Lab where the kids practice calming down, and preparing their bodies for sleep.  Susie lowers the lights, turns off all the sounds in the room, and teaches the kids how to breathe slowly to relax…and sleep!

Science Lesson: Sleep

Life Lesson: We need to always take care of our bodies,,,they are like cars and need the proper fuel to keep going strong!

Premiere! “Seed The Science Kid”

Airs on WETA Kids

Wednesday November 14, 2012 at 12:00pm

Wednesday November 14, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 1:30pm

Tuesday November 20, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday November 20, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 25, 2012 at 1:00pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Thursday November 15, 2012 at 11:30am

Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 11:30am

Description of “Seed The Science Kid”

At breakfast, Sid discovers seeds in his apple, and decides that seeds really get in the way when you’re trying to eat the apple!  This leads Sid to investigate seeds with his friends at the Science Center, where they learn that many living things grow in life cycles.  And while many fruits start out as seeds, many animals start out as eggs.  The kids investigate frog eggs, butterfly eggs, and chicken eggs, and then see the fully-grown animals they grow into.  The kids are elated and empowered with their newfound knowledge about life cycles, and can’t wait to get back to school so they can plant Sid’s apple seed and watch it slowly grow into an apple tree!

Science Lesson: Life Cycles

Life Lesson: Don’t judge a book by its cover! An ugly caterpillar will always turn into a beautiful butterfly!

Download this free Seed The Science Kid activity sheet!

Premiere! “The Reason Sid’s Sneezin’”

Airs on WETA Kids

Thursday November 15, 2012 at 12:00pm

Thursday November 15, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 18th, 2012 at 2:00pm

Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 12:00pm

Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 8:30pm

Sunday November 25, 2012 at 1:30pm

Airs on WETA TV26

Friday November 16, 2012 at 11:30am

Sunday November 18, 2012 at 6:00pm

Thursday November 22, 2012 at 11:30am

Description of “The Reason Sid’s Sneezin’”

Sid wakes up and can’t stop sneezing.  He makes his way into the kitchen where he finds his Dad in the middle of a similar sneeze attack.  Sid soon discovers that just like his Dad, he might be allergic to pollen!  This leads Sid on a mission to learn more about allergies.  Mom can think of someone who knows a lot about allergies…Grandma—she’s a nurse! At school, Grandma helps the kids discover that sometimes our bodies can react strongly to something we touch, smell, or eat, so our bodies try to fight it off—and that’s an allergy. Gerald tells everyone that he has a food allergy--he can’t eat strawberries.  Wanting to help their friend, Sid, May, and Gabriela decide to make their class a Strawberry-Free-Zone!  Gerald is touched, and Susie suggests a special Super Fab Lab survey to discover if other people they know also have allergies.

Science Lesson: Allergies

Life Lesson: Helping others can help us too!

Download this free The Reason Sid's Sneezin activity sheet!

This coming Tuesday, September 11 The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! kicks off a brand new second season with FIVE all new episodes! The Cat, Nick and Sally will take their first trip to space and go inside the human body as they invite viewers to explore the world around (and within!) them. We’re so excited about the new season of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! we’re giving you double the opportunity to see these great new episodes. Find the episode descriptions and air dates below! Check out PBSKids.org for The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! games, printables, and activities to keep the learning and fun going! 

WETA Kids (Antenna 26.3, Cox 801, Comcast 266, FiOS 472, RCN 38)

WETA TV26 (Antenna 26.4, Cox 26 & 802, Comcast 26 & 267, FiOS 26 & 471, Dish 8076, RCN 26)

Premiere! “Jumping on the Moon/Sneezy Riders”

Airs on WETA Kids

Tuesday September 11, 2012 at 9:00am

Friday September 28, 2012 at 9:00am

Airs on WETA TV26

Wednesday September 12, 2012 at 8:30am

Monday October 1, 2012 at 8:30am

Jumping on the Moon

Nick and Sally are trying to jump high enough to touch the moon, but “what goes up must come down,” says the Cat. That’s gravity! And to show them just what gravity is, that means a trip to the moon! That’s where they meet Astronaut Audrey, who takes them for a space walk to learn all about gravity.

Sneezy Riders

Sally and Nick are playing hide and seek, but Nick keeps sneezing! How can they stop it from happening? Good thing Cat’s friend Cluey Looey will be able to help them! At Muddyfeet Waterhole they discover that Looey is having the same problem! Nothing a trip inside Looey’s nose can’t solve! Inside a super shrunken Thingamajigger, Nick, Sally and Cat discover what causes sneezing and what they can do to avoid it from happening!

Premiere! “No Night Today/Fun in the Sun”

Airs on WETA Kids

Wednesday September 12, 2012 at 9:00am

Tuesday October 2, 2012 at 9:00am

Airs on WETA TV26

Thursday September 13, 2012 at 8:30am

Wednesday October 3, 2012 at 8:30am

No Night Today

Nick and Sally want to keep playing, but it’s getting dark. Why does nighttime have to come? The Cat knows someone who can answer that question – Astronaut Audrey! With a trip to her International Space Station and a large model of the solar system, the kids learn that it’s the earth’s spinning near the sun that makes it night or day.

Fun in the Sun

Phew it’s hot! Too hot to play outside. Not according to the Cat! His friend Hilda the Hippo knows all about having fun in the sun. A visit to Muddymoo River teaches them that hippos make their very own sunscreen to protect them from the hot sun. Now that they all have their sunscreen on, it’s time for some fun in the sun!

Premiere! “Bounce/Timmy Tippy Toe”

Airs on WETA Kids

Thursday September 13, 2012 at 9:00am

Monday October 1, 2012 at 9:00am

Airs on WETA TV26

Friday September 14, 2012 at 8:30am

Tuesday October 2, 2012 at 8:30am

Bounce

Nick and Sally are wondering why their ball is so bouncy. Fish tells them it’s because it’s made from rubber, and rubber comes from trees. Cat doesn’t believe him so it’s time to ask the expert, Dr. Twiggles! It turns out Fish is right! And Dr. Twiggles shows them all just how rubber is made, and all the wonderful things rubber can make!

Timmy Tippy Toe

Nick and Sally are playing on a climbing frame but just can’t manage to get to the top. Cat tries to show them how it’s done but he can’t do it either! Time to go see Timmy Tippy Toe, the Klipspringer who is an expert climber! Timmy teaches them to use their hands and their feet, and now they can reach the top of their own “mountain”!

Premiere! “Inside Out/Hear Here”

Airs on WETA Kids

Friday September 14, 2012 at 9:00am

Thursday September 27, 2012 at 9:00am

Airs on WETA TV26

Monday September 17, 2012 at 8:30am

Friday September 28, 2012 at 8:30am

Inside Out

Nick keeps trying to surprise Sally, but he just can’t do it! The Cat takes them to find a real surprise in the Skippylarito Fields! Once there, Cat shows them a special bean – that suddenly moves! With a shrunken Thingamajigger, they go inside the bean and meet the moth larvae that lives there. They learn that it’s really the moth that causes the bean to move. What a neat surprise indeed!

Hear Here

The kids hear chirping but can’t find where it’s coming from. If only they had better ears. Ears like an elephant? Or maybe an owl or even a fox? Not a problem when the Cat’s around! He takes them to meet these animals with amazing ears. Back home the kids used what they learned from their new friends to find the sound – a teeny tiny cricket! What other great sounds are around?

Premiere! “Stripy Safari/Wool”

 Airs on WETA Kids

Monday September 17, 2012 at 9:00am

Wednesday September 19, 2012 at 9:00am

Airs on WETA TV26

Tuesday September 18, 2012 at 8:30am

Thursday September 20, 2012 at 8:30am

Stripy Safari

Nick and Sally set off on a safari with the Cat in the Hat to find all kinds of stripes. Along the way, Sally and Nick discover that stripes mean different things to different animals – the stripes of Jake the coral snake tells other animals to stay away, and Zelda and Zoran’s zebra stripes help them to identify each other. And best of all, Cat discovers that his stripes are just right for him!

Wool

Nick wants to learn how to knit a scarf like Sally, but they’ve run out of wool! A visit to Finola’s Farm is the perfect place to get more. The Cat, Nick and Sally have fun helping Finola get the wool from Feleecia the sheep and then turning it into yarn. Now Sally can teach Nick how to knit his own scarf!

It’s a new generation of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe with the brand-new kids program  Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood premiering on WETA Kids September 3, 2012! Inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger is a 4-year old who invites preschoolers ages 2-4 and their families into his world and his everyday adventures to learn fun and practical strategies and skills necessary for growing and learning. Head over to PBSKids.org to meet Daniel and the gang, play games, print fun coloring templates, and watch videos from the new show. You can even watch the full episode “Daniel’s Birthday”! PBS Parents has a host of information, activities, and videos for parents and care-takers to learn more about the series. 

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

WETA Kids (Antenna 26.3, Cox 801, Comcast 266, FiOS 472, RCN 38)

-    Premieres Monday September 3, 2012 at 11:00am

-    Airs Mondays – Fridays at 11:00am & 5:30pm

-    Every episode from the week airs back-to-back on Saturdays from 12:30pm – 3:00pm

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

WETA TV26 (Antenna 26.4, Cox 26 & 802, Comcast 26 & 267, FiOS 26 & 471, Dish 8076, RCN 26)

-     Premieres Tuesday September 4, 2012 at 10:30am.

-     Airs Mondays – Fridays at 10:30am

*Wild Kratts now airs Mondays – Fridays at 5:00pm and every episode from the week airs back-to-back on Saturdays 5:30pm – 8:00pm.*

To learn more about the educational value of the series and how it came to be, read the below conversation with the series’ Executive Producers, Kevin Morrison, Chief Operating Officer of The Fred Rogers Company, and Angela C. Santomero, Co-Founder of Out of the Blue Enterprises.

Q.        After so long, why return to Mister Rogers’ beloved neighborhood now?

K.M.    A few years ago, The Fred Rogers Company set out to produce a new series for a new generation of children.  We developed a number of different program ideas, but Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, based on characters familiar to generations of children, was always everybody’s favorite.  Although the series uses the latest production techniques and looks beautiful, its essence is based on Fred Rogers’ timeless techniques.  In addition, PBS approached us to work on a new series focused on helping young children with the little life lessons they need to be successful when they arrive at preschool, and throughout their lives.

Q.        What made Fred Rogers a pioneer in children’s entertainment?  How is his trademark approach evident in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

A.S.     Fred Rogers has been both an inspiration and a major career influence for me.  In effect, he created a blueprint for children’s television that works.  And, with this new show, we embraced the great level of respect that Fred had for children, the way he communicated with them, his gentler pace and his “interactive” inclusion of his young “neighbors” at home.

K.M.    Fred was a pioneer in the way he used the camera.  In the 50s and 60s, children’s presenters were addressing an audience.  When Fred spoke, there was no doubt that he was talking just to you.  At that time, this was revolutionary.

Q.        Are there elements of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?  How is the new series fresh and different?

A.S.     There are nostalgic nods of “love” to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood throughout each episode of the new show.  The characters are the children of the beloved puppets from Fred’s Neighborhood of Make-Believe and our series star, Daniel Tiger, is the son of Daniel Striped Tiger, Fred’s first puppet.  Like Fred, Daniel wears a red sweater and sneakers and speaks directly to preschoolers to include them in his day.  Fred’s music can be heard, in some cases as cover songs, and in others as inspiration for new musical strategies.

K.M.    That being said, this is a brand-new series with a very different look and feel.  It’s animated instead of live-action and focuses on the adventures of a 4-year-old and his friends in an exciting and very different Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

Q.        How have Fred Rogers’ groundbreaking concepts been updated to appeal to a whole new generation of young viewers and their parents?

A.S.     Fred’s curriculum is timeless.  But our approach to his curriculum was planned with today’s preschoolers in mind because we wanted to make sure that we were reaching them most effectively in terms of appeal and learning.

Q.        Why choose animation instead of live action?

A .S.    We animated Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to put a unique spin on the “neighborhood” with this new series.  Plus, animation gives us powerful tools for storytelling and allows us to make our stories visual – for example, we can let viewers peek inside Daniel’s colorful imagination.

K.M.    We considered live action but since there’s no way that we could ever have found a replacement for Fred, we decided that the best way to bring his legacy to life for today’s young viewers was to animate the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. 

Q.        How did you develop the characters for the show?

A.S.     Although the characters were initially based on the puppets in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, our goal was to give them a multi-dimensional feel so they’re true to the personalities of preschoolers.

K.M.    We want children to feel that they’re friends with the characters – and hopefully aspire to be like them so they are engaged and learning the strategies right alongside Daniel and his cohorts.

Q.        What role does music play in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and why do you think using song-based strategies is so effective?

A.S.     Music is an integral tool for learning in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.  Our musical strategies are unique and catchy.  Parents and children will be singing them all day long!  For preschool viewers, music propels the curriculum forward, ensuring that they truly understand why a particular strategy was needed and how it helped our characters. 

K.M.    And couching a key strategy in an easy-to-remember song makes it very simple for parents to help their children incorporate that new skill into their daily lives.

Q.        What was PBS’ role in developing Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

K.M.    Developing a series for PBS KIDS is a very creative, collaborative process. We’ve worked closely with the PBS team to bring Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to life.  And PBS’ approach goes beyond television – we’re also working closely with the PBS KIDS team and our partners at Schell Games and CloudKid to develop an engaging website and mobile app to reinforce the series’ curriculum.

Q.        Recent research shows that early development of solid social and emotional skills leads to success later in life.  How did this help inform the creation of the show?

A.S.     Pro-social values have been shown by numerous studies to be imperative to later social and academic success for children.  Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood helps hone the skills that prepare young viewers to be optimal learners in kindergarten and beyond.  Encouraging children’s self-confidence, combined with the ability to regulate their impulses and appreciate adult guidance, gives them the solid foundation they need going forward.

Q.       How can Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood be a useful tool for parents and preschoolers beyond the television screen?

A.S.     Moms and dads who have previewed the show have called it “A user’s guide for today’s parent.”  We’re finding that parents and caregivers are writing down our strategies and using them when they need to encourage their kids to be patient, when they’re nervous about a new experience or when they’re disappointed.  We hope to have a useful strategy for every situation a parent could find themselves in!

Join the Pteranodon family as they venture on the Dinosaur Train to meet some of the biggest dinosaurs on earth during Big, Big Dinosaur Week on WETA Kids! Beginning August 14, 2012, tune in for four brand-new episodes of Dinosaur Train where we learn all about these big creatures: Alamosaurus, Diplodocus, Apatosaurus, and Argentinasaurus.

Download the special Dinosaur Train Big, Big Dinosaur Week coloring pages!

Coloring Page 1                                                      Coloring Page 2

Check below for more about each episode and when to watch on:

WETA Kids (Antenna 26.3, Cox 801, Comcast 266, FiOS 472, RCN 38)

WETA TV26 (Antenna 26.4, Cox 26 & 802, Comcast 26 & 267, FiOS 26 & 471, Dish 8076, RCN 26)

Remember the Alamosaurus/Sunrise, Sunset

The Pteranodon kids and Dad get the idea to travel around on the Dinosaur Train and meet some of the biggest dinosaurs. They meet Allie Alamosaurus, an enormous, long-necked, plant eating sauropod. Allie's huge, strong legs hardly bend at all, but she shows that she can still have fun playing games with the kids. Then, Dad takes the Pteranodon kids on an overnight camping trip where they watch both a sunrise and sunset and learn about nocturnal and diurnal animals.

WETA Kids