Empowering Parents

Empowering Parents

Arkansas PBS believes that parents are a child's first teacher. Below you will find resources from Arkansas PBS, PBS and PBS KIDS to help you on your parenting journey.





Rise and Shine


Rise and Shine
“Rise and Shine,” produced in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, is an extensive educational program aligned to state standards and designed to boost summer learning for K-5 students following the disruption to education during the pandemic. The six-week program – featuring lessons led by Arkansas teachers to reinforce learning in key subjects including literacy, math, science and social studies – will air on Arkansas PBS weekdays beginning Tuesday, July 5, at 8 a.m. Arkansas educators and statewide partners will provide customized content – including the PBS KIDS programs you love – and engaging lessons delivered right to your television or streaming device.

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Learn all summer long


Summer learning

Play and learn your way this summer! You can explore and play with your child all season long with a variety of free resources from PBS KIDS. Spark curiosity and creativity with hands-on activities, tips, and games around different themes supporting literacy, math, science, and life skills.

Get started here with summer fun for the whole family!

Summer Reading Materials


Summer Reading Chart
Activity Book
Summer Checklist




Join Arkansas PBS for Reading to Succeed events this May

FREE family event with a meal - Arkansas PBS will host five in-person events and provide take-home educational kits focused on reading and family activities this spring. A meal will be provided during the event.

Events are scheduled for the following cities and dates:

  • Forrest City - May 8, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00p.m., Forrest City Library – 421 S Washington, Forrest City, AR
  • Stuttgart - May 11, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Arkansas County Enrichment Center, 702 E Michigan St., Stuttgart, AR
  • Eudora - May 20, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Eudora City Park, 556 N. Main, Eudora, AR
  • Hughes - June 1, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Community Center, 202 N Broadway, Hughes, AR
  • Springdale - June 27, 11:00 a.m. - Springdale Public Library, 405 S Pleasant St., Springdale, AR

The events are made possible by funds from the Joan R. and Charles M. Taylor II Memorial Endowment Fund. Other partners include the City of Eudora, Forrest City Library, Arkansas Rural Community Alliance, and Arkansas County Enrichment Center.

Learn more about Reading in the Delta here.



Blueberry's Clubhouse
Blueberry is back for an all-new season beginning July 8

“Blueberry’s Clubhouse” – the original pre-K-2 children's program featuring Blueberry, a curious puppet guide, and her friends at Camp Onomatopoeia participating in fun, engaging and insightful summer activities across The Natural State – returns to Arkansas PBS with an all-new third season Friday, July 8, at 9:30 a.m. The series, produced in partnership with the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, will air each Friday morning at 9:30 through Aug. 12.

Blueberry is back at camp for another summer of fun! This year, kids will learn about art, science, history and the emotional ups and downs of growing up. As always, Blueberry will be assisted by her best friend Max, Camp Counselor Carol, little brother Miles and Chef Shawn. This season will also introduce new camper Sophie and the musical talents of The Jams.

This season’s theme is “Growing Up.” Both Blueberry and Max, along with Sophie, learn to grow into their new roles in the clubhouse. Max knows this is her last summer as a camper, and both she and Blueberry have to come to terms with getting older, which can sometimes be hard.


2023 Writer's Contest

2023 Writer's Contest

PBS KIDS Writers Contest is an initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest encourages children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations. Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of text and illustrations.

Checkout the winners


Suicide Prevention

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Help your family, children and students navigate this difficult topic with an online series created for educators by ArkansasIDEAS - also helpful to families searching for guidance.




Civics Education Logo

Be a Good Citizen

Our educators have created toolkits and resources for parents and teachers to help guide and engage children through the civics process during this election year.

Creating opportunities to talk with your child about being a good citizen and the elections process early on helps develop an understanding of how to ask questions, become an educated voter, and learn how to speak to other citizens in productive ways in order to problem solve.

Find what you need here...





Homeschool

Empowering Parents as Teachers

Image of parents homeschooling kids

Many parents choose to teach their children at home, instead of enrolling them within the formal settings of public or private schools. Arkansas PBS supports parents in reimagining learning, transforming education, and in creatively engaging with their children.

Homeschooling Resources Provided by PBS

PBS LearningMedia

PBS LearningMedia Homeschool Collection

young girl typing on a laptop

Arkansas PBS PBS LearningMedia is the go-to destination for instant and free access to tens of thousands of digital resources including videos, games, audio clips, photos, lesson plans, and more.

Parents Blog

  • Lakeside Legends

    In 2023, for the third year, Lakeside High School teamed up with Arkansas PBS to showcase the Arkansas Activities Association’s High School Basketball State Championships as part of “AR PBS Sports.” Lakeside TV, the name of the high school’s broadcast program, is a well-oiled machine. See how they dedicate three days, sunup to sundown, to reporting on the games, producing highlight reels and engaging with fans on social media with Arkansas PBS Production Intern Emily Jefferson now.

    Read more
  • Arkansas PBS Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

    Arkansas PBS will air Native American programming throughout the month of November, which is nationally known as Native American Heritage Month. Read more

Last Updated 28 Apr 2023