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AETN, PBS KIDS offer educational resources to improve summer learning

Posted 15 Jun 2015

Schools are dismissing for summer break, and the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) and PBS KIDS are combating summer learning loss among students through informative online resources and special programming.

Over the summer, students typically fall two months below the average for their grade level in the area of mathematical computation, according to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). The association also reports lower student achievement on tests taken after summer break than scores from the same tests taken before summer.

PBS KIDS is offering free, educational resources all summer long at pbskids.org/learn. Themed 'Summer Safari,' the site includes:

• Daily tips for parents to incorporate learning in activities, such as turning a picnic into a discussion about nutrition and where food comes from.
• A downloadable 'WordGirl Super Summer Fun Book' containing activities to help children develop reading, writing, and language skills. 
• Camp PBS Parents, a summer program focused on fun and learning with projects and crafts that parents can do at home with their children.
• Downloadable activity sheets for learning activities children can do in the library, at a restaurant or on a trip.

AETN will air special programs throughout the summer, beginning with the new, one-hour program 'Dinosaur Train: Zeppelin Adventure' June 15 at 10 a.m. and repeating June 17 and 19 at 10 each morning. In this special, the Pteranodon family takes off on the Dinosaur Train Zeppelin to explore the continent of Pangea.

AETN offers engaging and educational online games and activities to help stop summer learning loss based on some of the most popular PBS KIDS' programs. All online children's resources provided by AETN are easy to access at aetn.org/kids.

Skills children gain include:

• Language development – Coloring sheets and a Bingo game based on the show 'Oh Noah!' help children learn Spanish. 
• Engineering – Children can get their parents to take part in collecting supplies such as pine cones, peanut butter and dental floss to create a bird feeder inspired by 'Dinosaur Train.' Children will love watching birds enjoy their masterpiece.
• Science – Parents can lead their child in a nature hunt, also based on the program 'Dinosaur Train.' Children learn about their environment by collecting rocks, sticks, shells and bugs.
• Reading – Starting a book club is a great summer activity for children. AETN offers a list of beginner book club tips inspired by 'Curious George' that will encourage summer reading.
• Exploration – Children who are fans of 'Plum Landing' will want to take part in the 'Habitat Sweet Habitat' activity. This exercise challenges children to discover their surroundings and investigate the way animals in their yard meet basic needs, just like humans do.

AETN also works to aid parents in finding unique ways to help their children learn and develop during the summer. Parents can visit aetn.org/parents for other educational materials to fight summer learning loss and download an AETN Parent Resource Guide.

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital platforms and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS also offers mobile apps to help support young children's learning.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the state of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).