Qubo Television Channel (TV)

     Debuting in 2006, Qubo is a product of a variety of well-known production and literary companies such as NBC Universal and Scholastic Corporation. Qubo’s focus is as a “groundbreaking bilingual, multi-platform entertainment destination for children that focuses on literacy, values and healthy lifestyles while celebrating the unlimited possibilities of a child's imagination” (http://www.qubo.com/, 2010). Programs that air on Qubo usually have some literary counterpart such as Max and Ruby, Franklin, Maisy, and the Magic School Bus. Because of the familiarity children may have with the literary format, the televised editions can reinforce comprehension if used in conjunction with the associated book. Functioning alone, the televised programming will most likely only stimulate narrative skills and possibly phonological awareness. However, the Qubo website states that literacy is promoted as well as values and life lessons through a media format.

            To access Qubo, one must have digital cable access that supports the ION network. Some cable companies require the customer to purchase the ION channels separate from regular cable packages therefore increasing the general package cost.

Resources:

Qubo channel. (2010). About Qubo [website]. Retrieved from http://www.qubo.com/about.asp

Wikipedia. (2010). Qubo. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qubo.

Sprout Television Channel (TV)

The Sprout Channel is also owned by the PBS Company however, the programs on this particular channel are only available through cable providers for a cost. Initiated in 2005, the Sprout Channel is a 24-hour on demand television channel designed specifically for preschoolers.

The programming is mostly consistent with the same shows repeating throughout the day to maintain repetition, occasionally; a new show will be added to encourage a better foundation for learning. A daily schedule consists of the Wiggly Waffle program hosted by the musical group, the Wiggles; the morning show titled The Sunny Side Up Show; The Let’s Go Show, airing in the early afternoon; The Sprout Sharing Show, broadcasting in the later afternoon; and the Good Night Show. All program segments contain preschool formatted entertainment: cartoons, music, puppets, skits, and crafts.

            The majority of the programming builds on the skills of vocabulary, letter knowledge, narrative skills, and phonological awareness, there is little advancement in the way of print awareness and print motivation. In general, the Sprout channel is not a bad tool but more work would be required on the part of the parent to encourage growth in the other skill areas.

Resources:

PBS KIDS Sprout. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.sproutonline.com/

Sesame Workshop-Sesame Street (TV)

Sesame Workshop is a product of Children’s Television Workshop. Programming includes Sesame Street and Electric Company. Created over 40 years ago, the Sesame Workshop’s main focus was to build a program that supported early literacy for low-income families. The Sesame Street program has extended beyond television to include DVDs, radio, books, magazines, and Internet. This successful environment has been developed through the constant surveying of teachers and parents; as well as, the involvement of many that work in the field of child development: artists, writers, child development specialist, and psychologists.

Sesame Street is broadcasted daily on the public television station PBS and has a run time of approximately 30 minutes. Segments include singing, dancing, vocabulary growth through the word of the day, and introduction of social skills through skits. A multicultural format is also used to encourage learning different languages, visually experience diversity in cultures, and establish respect for people’s differences. Sesame Street as an educational tool has been found that the approach used for early literacy “succeeds in improving cognitive skills, teaching respect and social skills, and promoting school readiness skills” (Sesame Workshop, 2010).

Since the Sesame Street program is available through public broadcasting and therefore available to any individual with access to a television set, the program is an inexpensive way to offer early literacy skills in a digital format.

Resources:

Sesame Workshop. (2010). Sesame Street. Retrieved from http://www.sesameworkshop.org/programs/sesame_street



Blue’s Clues (TV)

     Blue’s Clues premiered on the Nickelodeon channel in 1996 with host Steve Burns. Burns functioned as one of the lead characters until 2002 and was replace by Donovan Patton until 2006 when filming ceased. Blue’s Clues segments are still airing today on the Nickelodeon channel which can be accessed with regular cable activation. A preschool based television show, Blue’s Clues was formatted by a team of producers to "empower preschoolers to learn through active participation in activities that are grounded in their everyday lives, to redefine the approach to problem-solving for preschoolers in an engaging manner” (Wikipedia, 2010). The design of each segment of an episode was to mimic the action of turning a page of a story, moving from one scene to another without delay or confusion.

     Each episode of Blue’s Clues begins with the host announcing the puzzle. To decipher the puzzle the host and viewers must locate the three clues left behind by Blue, the blue cartoon dog. Every clue is brought to the attention of the viewer after playing a few games. At the end of the program the host returns to his “think chair” to review the clues and unravel the puzzle. Ultimately, the effects of this program aided children in problem-solving skills but of the six early literacy skills, the most prominently recognized were vocabulary, and narrative skills.

Resources:
Wikipedia. (2010). Blue’s Clues. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue's_Clues           

Barney and Friends (TV)

     Barney and Friends is an upbeat television show viewed on PBS, which aired in 1992. Barney is a purple dinosaur stuffed animal that can be brought to life by his friends, usually three to four young school children. He sometimes shares the stage with three other dinosaurs: Baby Bop, BJ, and cousin Riff. Together, the children and Barney sing songs, dance, and teach everyday life lessons. Each televised episode ends with the Barney favorite, “I love you”.

     While the typical literacy skills may not be displayed, the show does promote creativity through imagination, and a high content of popular musical numbers that can educate children in narrative skills and vocabulary. Social skills are also prominent throughout the Barney segments.