This Full House Reviews

PBS Sneak Preview: Halloween, Wild Kratts and Science, OH MY!

PBS KIDS CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN WITH NEW EPISODES

Yep, I am one of those parents, who believe in the benefits of good quality television programs -- like, Sesame Street and the original Electric Company with Morgan Freeman -- especially, for families who perhaps lack access to educational resources we tend to take for granted.

For example, first generation American kids, who started kindergarten not being able to read, write, or speak a word of English -- just like my twin brother and me.

PBS KIDS is kicking off Fall with three exciting announcements including upcoming Halloween-themed programming, a new educational iPhone app, SID’s Science Fair and WILD KRATTS “Predator Week” programming!

WILD KRATTS features the Kratt Brothers from Zoboomafoo (now in syndication on PBS) and my kids absolutely LOVED watching this show (me, too!)

You and or your kids into Wildlife?  Dinosaurs?  How about Science?  EXCELLENT!!!

Check this out:

PBS Kids Martha Speaks: Shelter Dog Adoption Episodes

I triple-dog-dare-you to say, "No!" to this face.  Go ahead, I'll wait!

This is our dog.  He's a rescue.  He was found tied to a dumpster, emaciated and suffering from a skin disease which the shelter believed was caused by his being crated his entire life.

It was estimated that he was a little over a year old.

We adopted Doofus-dawg on November 28, 2004 which is also the day we celebrate his birthday and -- although, he is the reason why we continue to use child locks on the cabinet that stores the trash bin -- he is an absolute sweetheart of a dog and considers himself an important member of our family.

Us, too.

This fall, PBS KIDS' Martha Speaks is partnering with The Humane Society of the United States to celebrate the great work done by animal shelters around the country with:

• A week of shelter dog episodes, including the brand new "Carolina Picks a Lily" airing Monday October 3, 2011 on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

• A special "Helping Animals" section on the Martha Speaks website where families can find resources and information about supporting animal shelters, understanding and caring for pets, and responsible pet adoption. Visit the page at http://www.pbs.org/parents/martha/helpinganimals/index.html.

• Opportunities for families that have adopted a shelter animal to share their story on the Martha Speaks Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pbsmarthaspeaks.

We love our Doofus-Dawg and, if you are making that GIANT leap in deciding your family is ready, willing and able to look past the mess (see picture/story above) I really do hope you consider adopting a shelter animal, too.

Oh, and Doofus-Dawg says, "Can I Haz Some?!?"

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment was received for this blog post.  Although, I am a PBS Kids THIRTEEN Parent, every pet we've ever adopted, growing up and raising my own family, has been a shelter animal and I took it upon myself to share information about this program.

Kids Club THIRTEEN: Making Summer Fun AND Educational @PBSKids

One of the really, really cool things I get to do, as a Kids Club THIRTEEN Ambassador, is share behind the scenes stuff with families (like mine) who believe in the benefits of good quality children's television programming.

There's lots of good stuff going on with some of our favorite programs, like SUPER WHY!, Cyberchase and Sid the Science Kid.  Also, PBSKids.org is offering great educational resources to teachers, parents and caregivers, this summer:

New Kids Club THIRTEEN Ambassador: PBS Goodies Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU DEBRA (COMMENT #19) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, THANKS!!!

We live in New Jersey (yes, on purpose!) so, I was very excited to have been invited to the PBS headquarters at WNET.ORG, New York City's flagship public TV station, and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of PBS KIDS most popular shows for preschoolers - SUPER WHY!

Why?

I wanted to learn more about the process that goes into creating children's programming at PBS KIDS and perhaps finally make peace with the fact that...YES!...I allowed my preschoolers to watch television.

Yep, I'm one of those parents who believe in the benefits of good quality television programs (like the ones my brother and I watched growing up with public television) especially, for families who perhaps lack access to educational resources we tend to take for granted.

For example, first generation American kids, who started kindergarten not being able to read, write, or speak a word of English, like my brother...and me.

Today, I am very, very proud to announce my recent partnership with PBS as a new Kids Club THIRTEEN Ambassador!

So, what the heck does that mean and what's in it for you?