This past December New England Public Media provided two Family and Community and Learning (FCL) series from Ready to Learn, a U.S. Department of Education funded initiative.  Each series of four sessions allowed us to introduce children to key STEM and literacy concepts using resources from the PBS KIDS shows The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot about That! and Ready Jet Go!

While these FCLs workshops were originally meant to be in person, NEPM pivoted to virtual engagement during the pandemic.  Our partners — the YMCA of Greater Springfield and the Holyoke Public Schools — helped us deliver supplies to families, and their educators enthusiastically participated in each family session with our education team!

During this multigenerational engagement, children, parents, grandparents, aunts and siblings amazed us with their curiosity and imaginations as we explored books and videos and made astronaut suits, Mars rovers, sorting books, flute-toots, and much more!

To learn about this rich, multi-platform media in the form of videos, games and apps and hands-on activities for students ages 2-8, see the Ready to Learn collection at PBS LearningMedia!