Sunday Edition: The impact of potential PBS funding cuts

SALT LAKE CITY – Congress is expected to vote this week on President Trump's request to defund PBS. PBS Kids outlines what the organization's purpose is, and why it is so important for developing minds. Sara Dewitt, senior vice president and general manager of PBS Kids, explained what the funding cuts would mean for PBS Kids and parents. "PBS Utah is an incredible service to the community," DeWitt said. "It brings PBS programming, and what I work on, PBS children's programming to kids all across the state." Beyond TV programming, PBS offers educational games for kids and hosts community events such as the upcoming "Be My Neighbor Day," and an annual readathon. DeWitt said the station takes PBS Kids content with proven educational impact, and provides resources "to families, to children who most benefit from these kinds of free resources to help get kids ready for school."

Programming provides resources

One of the most popular shows is Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, based on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, to help the next generation. The show helps kids manage emotions, understand how to share, and provides strategies to parents as their preschoolers grow up. DeWitt said Wild Kratts, another popular show focused on animals, allows kids to understand how animals survive in their habitats. "What are those features that the animal has to allow it to run faster, or fly higher?" DeWitt said. "Really getting into science concepts so kids can begin to understand how animals work within their environment." DeWitt said PBS Kids aids math and literacy skills to get children ready for school and avoid losing skills during summer months. "We really are thinking about, how can we make sure this content is developmentally appropriate, that it can reach kids where they are, and help them better understand the world around them, help them really prepare for school?" DeWitt said. For children without formal preschool opportunities, DeWitt said PBS Kids programs help with literacy. "In PBS and PBS Utah, we're so much more than just television," DeWitt said. PBS offers educational games for kids, as well as activities for families to engage in away from the screen. DeWitt said that aligns with PBS's focus on the child and their needs, setting them apart from other programs that aim to keep kids on screens to increase revenue. "So we work with parents, we work with educational experts to really think about, how can kids most learn from this media?" DeWitt said. At PBS, DeWitt said the goal is to introduce topics and inspire learning that continues away from the screen.

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