PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism

September 24, 2020 by Leave a Comment
“PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism,” premieres on October 9. The half-hour program will feature candid and authentic conversations between kids and their parents about race and racial justice-related topics in an age-appropriate way and offer viewers ideas to build on as they continue these important conversations at home. The special will be hosted by Amanda Gorman, the writer, activist and first-ever Youth Poet Laureate of the U.S. 

As Gorman shares in the show, when something is confusing or uncomfortable, she likes to talk about it. Growing up, she would participate in daily family meetings, where the kids got to pick any topic they wanted to discuss, whatever was on their minds. It is that same spirit that moved Gorman, whose poetry often discusses race, to become involved in the timely production.

In addition to the frank, up-to-the-minute conversations on the subject, “PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism” will include relevant content from the popular PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Arthur and Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. Just following the special will be the premiere of a brand-new episode of the animated PBS KIDS series, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, featuring Harriet Tubman as well as an Arthur short created “in memory of civil rights legend John Lewis,” as noted on-screen.

PBS KIDS announced a new special, “PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism,” premiering October 9. The half-hour program will feature authentic conversations between real children and their parents, and will include content from PBS KIDS series DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ARTHUR and XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM. The show will feature kids and their parents talking about race and racial justice-related topics in an age-appropriate way, such as noticing differences in race, understanding what racism can look like, and embracing the role we all have to play in standing up for ourselves and each other — offering viewers ideas to build on as they continue these important conversations at home.

The special will debut as part of PBS KIDS Family Night on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and will also be available on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings), and streaming on pbskids.org, the PBS KIDS Video app and on PBS KIDS’ Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

“PBS KIDS believes kids are capable of understanding and talking through tough, but important issues with the adults in their lives – something that has been core to our mission for the last 50 years,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “Through the PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism special, our goal is to support parents in talking with their children about race, anti-Black racism in our country, and how to be actively anti-racist. Parents have increasingly asked us for these resources, and we hope that this special will provide a helpful starting point in whatever way they choose to have these conversations with their children.”

“PBS KIDS Talk About,” previously an online-only video series, models authentic and practical parent-child conversations that reflect PBS KIDS’ core values of kindness and curiosity, and has included real families addressing topics such as feelings and emotions, relationships and family, curiosity and wonder, bravery and courage, and self-confidence and determination.

To support this new offering, PBS KIDS provides a variety of resources to help parents talk to young children about race and racism. This resource hub on PBS KIDS for Parents includes articles, a webinar, booklists, links to programming, and more tips and resources to help parents have meaningful conversations with young children about race, racism, and being anti-racist.

Produced by Crossroads Productions for PBS, the special was developed in consultation with Dr. Aisha White (Director, The P.R.I.D.E Program (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education)), Dr. Renée Wilson-Simmons (Executive Director, ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Awareness Foundation), and Dr. Dana Winters (Director of Simple Interactions and Academic Programs; Assistant Professor of Child and Family Studies, Fred Rogers Center). The “PBS KIDS Talk About” series and the “PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism” special were created with major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE LAUNCHES “THE CONVERSATION” TO SUSTAIN ANTIRACIST ENGAGEMENT, COLLABORATION, AND ACTION

September 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

“The Conversation” Goes Beyond the Books with Next Steps Toward a More Equitable Future

Penguin Random House today announced the launch of a new website to support families, educators, communities, organizations, and readers who are working to combat racism and end racial inequities in our daily lives. Named “The Conversation,” this website brings together a curated array of resources and programming for readers, including discussion guides, title lists, and special content for all age groups. With a strong focus on family reading and community engagement, The Conversation was designed as a resource to support multiple constituencies, including educators, librarians, booksellers, activists and allies, as well as Penguin Random House employees. The site is designed to be a dynamic resource, and will be updated in real time as authors and allies create and share relevant content.

This organic employee initiative grew out of an internal company brainstorm about how to assist those learning about anti-racism take the next actionable steps. It also reflects discussions held by PRH employees throughout the company, including members of the Penguin Random House Diversity & Inclusion Council.

“In virtual classrooms and virtual conference rooms, and within our company, people are grappling with how to discuss our world, and how to create real and lasting change,” said Jaci Updike, President, Sales, Penguin Random House, U.S. “We want to amplify the work of our authors, engage with readers, listen carefully to what is being asked of us, and share resources that fuel conversation and spark collective action.”

The Conversation includes resources to facilitate dialogue about books by Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and other iconic writers. It will also provide toolkits, inspired by the works of Ibram X. Kendi and Jennifer L. Eberhardt, for creating anti-racist workplaces. The website will feature books and content from all of Penguin Random House’s publishing divisions, and the company is creating book bundles and materials for independent bookstores to help these businesses with their outreach to local schools and libraries.

A primary focus will be our youngest readers, with toolkits for raising anti-racist children, centering on books by Jacqueline Woodson and Nic Stone, among others. Additionally, a Family Reads initiative will be launched via The Conversation later this fall, which will include family reading guides for the adult and young-reader editions of Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy and Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, along with video content and other resources to facilitate meaningful family conversations.

“We want to maintain momentum in our communities, and provide resources for our collective journey ahead,” continued Updike. “All of PRH is committed to the ongoing development of The Conversation – to creating new material and responding to current events as close to real-time as we can.”

To participate in The Conversation, visit www.penguinrandomhouse.com/theconversation.

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Life is short, live your life to the fullest

June 1, 2018 by 1 Comment

perfect vacation

Life is short and we never know when it will be our last day, so my motto is and has always been to live your life to the fullest. This is why I focus so much on happiness – isn’t that what life should be all about? I believe so. I get a lot of questions about why I write about travel so much and the answer is simple: travel brings me joy and that is what I am constantly in search of.

 

Many people struggle with focusing on happiness and I get it. You go through your busy day that is filled with work, bills, struggles, and negative people and it is easy to get brought down, but I believe that we should work each and everyday to rise above the hard things, the negativity, and the stress in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel and choose to have a great day, no matter what. If you focus on that each and everyday, you will begin to really enjoy life and learn to live it to the fullest. I have a few things that I do each and everyday that brings more happiness into my life and I wanted to share it with you all. Here are my best tips on things you can do to live your life to the fullest:

 

Not Caring About What Others Think

It is so easy to fall into the trap of caring what people think about you, especially with social media being the center of the universe right now. Sometimes I observe people who are actively going through their Instagram or Facebook feed just to talk about others lives. What they are wearing, who they are with, how much weight they gained while they were pregnant, etc. Why do we do this to ourselves? All this does is bring negativity into our lives and opens the book to allow other people in your life to judge, as well. Stop judging others and stop caring about what others think about you. You will be so much happier when the only person you are trying to impress is yourself!

 

Doing What You Love

Life is too short to be stuck in a 9-5 job that you hate. Yes, going out on your own and doing what you love could be risky and stressful, but what happens if it works out? It could change your happiness forever and I believe that (in most circumstances) that is a risk that I would be willing to take. Even if you do not go off on your own, make sure you are in a job that you are really passionate about. Travel, if that makes you happy. Start a family, if that’s what you want. Just focus on your happiness, no matter what.

 

Treating People With Kindness

Inc. says, “Treat everyone with kindness–not because they are kind hearted, but because you are. One of the greatest gifts we can give another is kindness. If someone is in need, lend a helping hand. Don’t do it only for the people you like and respect–that’s easy–but also for the ones who drive you crazy and those you don’t even know. True kindness lies in the act of giving without the expectation of getting something in return.” You never know what someone might be going through, so please just suck it up and treat everyone with kindness.

 

Documenting Your Happiness

A great way to be intentional with your time is by documenting your day and your happiness. Write down a few things that you enjoyed that day, talk about how you can make the next day better, and if something didn’t go the way you wanted it to, try to find a silver lining.

 

Giving When You Can

I believe that giving is a great way to make each and everyday more positive. You cannot find anything negative about helping someone in need, seeing a smile on their face, and doing good in your community. It just puts a positive spin on your day, no matter what. Try to volunteer your time, donate when you can, and help others out!

Maintaining A Healthy Body

To live your life to the fullest, you need to create a strong, healthy foundation for yourself and the only way you can do this is by taking care of your body. Respect your body by eating healthy, working out, and finding help when you need it. A lot of people in this world do not get to do the things they love because they are dealing with debilitating pain on a daily basis. If this is you, get help so that you can enjoy your life! In New Jersey, AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine is on a mission to add health, balance, and success to your life. They believe that “Achieving maximum health is more than the absence of an illness. Authentic human health also includes the fulfillment of potential — potential for healing, creativity, wisdom, love, friendship, family, career, spirituality, physical fitness, leadership, and more.” Dr. Alfieri, as well as his staff are prepared to give you the best care through the use of chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, and pain management physiatry services. The doctors at their Monroe Township facility are certified in multiple disciplines and work together to find the best solution for you when it comes to your pain and general health. If you are suffering with pain, do something about it so that you can live your life to the fullest. AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine could be the next step to help you get your body feeling great again!

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Back to School with Tutor Time

September 27, 2015 by 2 Comments

First Day of School 005

It is Back to School time, and as such, it is also time to choose the right school for your little ones in those formative early education ages, from infants to kindergarten.  This all depends on the particular child, but should of course be considered in order to get your child used to being with large groups of children in an educational setting.  This can be something to get used to not only as thinking time but also as quiet time as well.  Some children have a very hard time with being still, and that is something that they can work on before entering Kindergarten when it will be a problem. There is fun as well, of course- some of  most fun my own son had in early education was craft time.

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Craft Time builds cognitive skills, gives practice to fine motor skills, give the imagination a stretch, and more.  Not to mention, your kids will be so proud of their creations.  Another great item touched upon in early education is health and food.  The importance of proper nutrition for your children has been noted- check out how schools you are looking at promote this.  When trying to pick the right school for your little ones, it is important to come with questions in mind, and asking how they are covered during the curriculum, as well as what kind of setting and how much free time the children will  have.
One such early education facility is Tutor Time child care/learning center of Saddle Brook.  This Tutor Time is geared toward children from Infant through to Kindergarten aged with their Infant Care to Kindergarten specializations.

“Where one-of-a-kinds get started” is the general anthem of Tutor Time: Every child is unique.

At Tutor Time, every child’s individuality is used to his or her advantage in the way they learn, grow, build self-esteem, and develop their imagination.  Tutor Time teaching strategies are designed to maximize the development of each child and to recognize how they learn different subjects in different ways.  Check out a local school near you and see what you think.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Learning Care Group. The opinions and text are all mine.

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