PBSKids.org

Preschoolers need a parent's help with activities.

Entertainment Value: High Graphics: Cartoons, photos, videos Playability: Easy Reading Level: Light Website: http://www.pbskids.org

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this site targets kids in preschool to early elementary school. We don't recommend preschoolers surf around online, and if they do, parents should be right next to them. There's also a link to PBSKids.org/go for slightly older elementary school kids. Activities on the site don't all require reading abilities, but some do, so a parent will need to help their kid read some of the stuff. It's a very safe, easy-to-navigate site with minimal advertising. The site is teaming up with Produce for Kids and is set to launch special activities and content for kids that will focus on healthy eating (related games, offline fitness activities).

Families who visit this site can talk about their favorite characters. Who are your favorite characters? What are some of their qualities that you admire? What don't you admire about them? Do you think you would like playing the games as much if your favorite characters weren't featured? What if the star was someone you didn't recognize?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jean Armour Polly and Heidi Kotansky

Kudos to PBS -- besides creating a wonderful hub for all of their TV shows' characters, they also try to bring in education with every game, coloring activity, Q&A's, and more. There's even material on the site in Spanish (see the Sesame Street section). Regardless of language, there's a real wealth of material here -- all organized by a kid's favorite show -- which is a really good idea since the ages range from preschool (Caillou) through the early elementary grades (Arthur). The graphics and design are somewhat simple, and many of the activities might require reading skills or an adult to help. Parents can go to a special section to learn about their kid's development and teachers get linked to PBS' education center.

To find out more about the TV shows on PBS Kids, check out our reviews.

Reviewed: 09/18/2007

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Many of the shows focus on positive things like making friends, being nice, learning, etc.
	Commercialism Surprisingly little. There are a few small discrete ads on some of the pages.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Filled with educational opportunities from simple games to learning a few Spanish words.