Improving Children's Learning

WFYI’s community engagement team works closely with partner organizations to use PBS KIDS series, personalized and adaptive games and tools to help families and educators support early learning in science and literacy. The project was developed in response to a recent study which found that nearly half of parents do not feel confident supporting their children’s science learning.

Expert advisors contribute to the initiative and the research-based resources are also tested for educational impact by independent evaluators. The results from our most recent year of work with parents and partners are in!

WFYI’s goal is that our learning experiences with parents will set the stage for them to continue to support their children’s learning. After training, all parents surveyed:

• Want to spend more time each week helping their child learn at home
• Want to spend more time supporting their child’s school activities
• Feel more confident helping their child learn science
• Are more aware that important learning happens outside of school

Facilitators, including the partners WFYI has trained, report:

• Increased children’s enthusiasm – and improved skills – for science and engineering
• Children feel more confident they can do science and engineering
• Children feel confident that they can use media and technology for learning

Partners shared their perspectives, and also noted that they appreciate the opportunity to connect with other organizations through the project.

“They help us with whatever we need and even helped us get a huge STEM grant for our program!”
“I love that we formed such a strong relationship with our local PBS – they have supported us in so many ways and have been so lovely to work with (especially camp season!) I look forward to growing our relationship and providing quality activities for children and families.”

The project is made possible through a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the US Department of Education.