WKAR Education Services

Kids Club Members: Swing into Spring with Curious George

Jeanie Croope — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:45:55 +0000

Kids' Club Member Event! April 19, Fenner Nature Center

Choosing a Quality Preschool Program for Your Child

Carrie Shrier — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This is the fourth in a series of articles on family and education-related issues written by MSU Extension. Today we hear from Carrie Shrier.

Susi's Station Notes: Lots to Like for Families!

Susi Elkins — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:26:46 +0000

You may have noticed the new "Family" tab on our web page. We are looking to increase the content we have here on WKAR that is related to families and education.

Literacy Coalition Event Draws Fans

Jeanie Croope — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:53:30 +0000

Combine Curious George, Clifford, storytelling, a stage show and lots of opportunities to pick up information about childhood literacy. These ingredients made the Early Childhood Literacy Event a hit with mid-Michigan families. The event was held Sunday, March 17, at East Lansing's Hannah Community Center.

WKAR was on hand for the well-attended event. Beany Tomber, WKAR's education services coordinator said "People loved the performances, the storytellers, the characters and all the activities. They thought it was an awesome event for families!"

PBS Kids Math Learning Tools -- It All Adds Up!

Jeanie Croope — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:55:28 +0000

“It All Adds Up,” is an effort to help WKAR-area families build kids’ math skills. Through this effort, WKAR aims to boost math learning at home – and everywhere – by providing PBS KIDS resources for parents.

“It All Adds Up” is an awareness effort designed to expand the impact of Ready To Learn, a cooperative initiative between CPB and PBS, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement, to support the development of early math and literacy skills in children ages 2-8 from low-income families.

Survey Results

Mar. 17 | Storybook Characters & Performances -- All Free!

Jeanie Croope — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:01:00 +0000

1pm-3:30pm Sunday, March 17 - East Lansing Hannah Community Center | Meet Curious George and Clifford in person at the annual Early Childhood Literacy Coalition Event.

Resources for Michigan's Military Families from Sesame Street and More

Kendra Moyses — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

This is the third in a series of articles from MSU Extension.

Did you know that there are more than 20,000 military children and youth in the state of Michigan? All branches of the military both active, guard and reserves are represented among Michigan’s military families. Chances are there is a military child or youth in the community or school where you live.

Responsive Parenting: Building a Healthy Relationship in their Early Year

Kittie Butcher & Janet Pletcher — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Early childhood specialists suggest that a building a healthy relationship with your child can help your child grow in all areas of development. This is part of a series of article from MSU Extension staff Kittie Butcher and Janet Pletcher.

My Messy Child is a Scientist!

Kittie Butcher & Janet Pletcher — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:47:42 +0000

This is the first in a series of articles for WKAR parents on early childhood development, by Kittie Butcher and Janet Pletcher, MSU Extension.

We can’t tell you how many times we were told, as children “What a mess you’re making! Stop fooling around with that and clean up this mess.” Our parents must have been neat-niks or something, because they were always putting a stop to our investigations.

For Kids: Top Holiday Gifts are Downloadable This Year!

Jeanie Croope — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:14:13 +0000

In its annual holiday survey of parents of 2 to 10-year-olds, PBS KIDS found that the leading trend in gifts for kids this year will be downloadable such as apps, games, e-books and digital music. Fifty-eight percent of parents reported that they will “most likely” or “definitely” be purchasing downloadable gifts this season. Of these parents, more than half (55 percent) plan to spend more or the same as last year on downloads.

WKAR and Willow Elementary Host Family Fun Workshop

Jeanie Croope — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:17:43 +0000

WKAR and Willow Elementary School in Lansing will host a Raising Readers Family Fun Workshop on Tuesday, November 27. Registration and light supper will be from 6-6:20 p.m. The program will follow at 6:20 p.m. and conclude at 7:30 p.m.

Raising Readers workshops offer parents the opportunity to have fun with their children while learning new ways to build reading skills. Workshops are targeted to families and children 4-6 years, but siblings are welcome to attend also.

Ready To Learn Receives GM Grant

Jeanie Croope — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 18:30:48 +0000

WKAR’s Ready To Learn Service was presented with a $5,000 grant from the General Motors Foundation with the help of GM Lansing Plants.

The gift was accepted by Deb Dunham of WKAR from Greg Pratt, assistant plant manager and Bill Reed, UAW Local 602 president at General Motors’ Delta Township Assembly Plant.

Wild Kratts Offers New Online Content

Jeanie Croope — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:54:03 +0000

PBS KIDS series Wild Kratts will feature new science-focused episodes and online content this month. The popular series will feature new episodes this week, followed by four more premieres during “Weird Kratts Week,” October 22-26, and a new spidery Halloween episode on October 31. Wild Kratts airs Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 5 p.m.

Nov. 8 | Raising Readers Workshop

Jeanie Croope — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:17:01 +0000

WKAR hosts a Raising Readers Family Fun Workshop on Thursday, November 8, at Sycamore Elementary in Holt.

Families will learn new ways to build children's reading skills while interacting with their child. Although the workshop is targeted to families and children 4-6 years old, siblings are welcome to attend also. Each child will receive a free book to take home.

'Peep' Visits Lansing JazzFest!

Jeanie Croope — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:13:00 +0000

WKAR heads to Lansing JazzFest on August 3-4 in Lansing's Old Town. "Peep," the enchanting title character of the children's series Peep and the Big Wide World, will be on hand to greet the kids near the Kidz Beat tent and the MICA stage.

"Peep" will appear on Friday, August 3 between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, August 4, "Peep" will appear from 2-5 p.m.

Look for our Street Team and have them take your child's photo with Peep! We'll be posting them on our WKAR Facebook page!

Susi's Station Notes: Free Educational Offer!

Jeanie Croope — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:19:59 +0000

One of the programming services we take great pride in sharing with you at WKAR is our educational programming. Our children's shows teach so many things — science and math concepts, life skills like sharing and cooperating and literacy skills.

I have two kids of my own and I know that our children's programming is not only educational, but it's lots of fun, too. Kids learn best when they are having fun and our programs do exactly that — teach valuable lessons in a delightful way.

Susi's Station Notes: Education Services at WKAR

Susi Elkins — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:01:54 +0000

I have two kids – they’re 8 and 11, and like every kid, they want to watch TV. You’d think, given that both my husband and I have spent our careers in television, that this would be fine with us, but that’s not always the case.

In Our Community - at the Zoo!

Jeanie Croope — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:11:04 +0000

WKAR celebrated International Migratory Bird Day at Potter Park Zoo on Saturday, June 2, as part of the annual Be a Tourist in Your Own Town event.

"LRN 101" Comes to WKAR-TV

Jeanie Croope — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:55:05 +0000

WKAR-TV will begin airing episodes of "LRN 101," Saturdays at 11 a.m. on WKAR-TV, beginning May 12. The new series highlights the varied educational resources available throughout the Greater Lansing region. "LRN 101" is produced in Lansing as part of the Keep Learning initiative, a non-profit organization committed to promoting education in mid-Michigan.

Saturday, May 12 - Episode 1

"Picturing America" Conference for Teachers

Jeanie Croope — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:21:50 +0000

The Lansing School District and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) are pleased to invite area teachers to apply for participation in a NEH Picturing America Conference entitled “Mid-Michigan’s Legacy as the Arsenal of Democracy” in May, 2012.

Facilitated by the Lansing School District, this second conference (the first identical conference in March was fully enrolled) will be hosted by WKAR at the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University, May 10 through May 12, 2012.