PBS Kids Just Did WHAT?! The Future of Family Gaming is Here!

By Gavin Boyle

Recognizing the evolving media landscape for children, PBS Kids is introducing a new video series that guides young viewers through their collection of online games.

The series, as described by Variety, features hosts situated in various Odd Squad locations who connect via video chat. “They support each other in maximizing the fun and learning potential of games within the PBS Kids digital world. The show’s appeal centers on the hosts’ interactions, their reactions to the gameplay, and their camaraderie.”

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PBS announced that children’s interest in gaming content is still considerable. They wish to provide suitable and enriching content while addressing the absence of content creators who specifically provide gaming content for children, whose videos are often inappropriate for children or that includes material that is inappropriate for their age. PBS Kids is attempting to resolve these concerns and advertise its games, which are designed with the education of young players in mind.

As children spend more time on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, PBS is dedicated to providing them with content that is both educational and fun. The network’s long-running show, DANIEL TIGER, for example, was the subject of a recent study that found that 75% of children who watched the show as kids still remember its lessons and themes.

Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer at Fred Rogers Productions, the company that produces the show, told Parents, “Hearing how teens really valued and had an affection for Daniel Tiger and his family and friends shows how children’s media can really matter to young children. Children learn from the media they consume, whether it is designed for learning or not. Thinking about how kids might internalize the messages they learn from media is one of the guiding forces for how we create our series.”

She continued, “Child psychologists and other early learning experts help us select and tell stories that will best connect with kids in the target audience for our series. Daniel Tiger is 4 years old, and our advisors help us understand how 4-year-olds process information and what matters to them.”

The success of DANIEL TIGER demonstrates the significance of children’s content being instructive and educational, not just enjoyable. Because children absorb this media during such a crucial stage of development, it has a lasting impression. While consuming content on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, the lessons acquired are less beneficial to their development.

While it might seem unexpected for PBS to venture into the world of gaming content, it’s encouraging to see the network’s commitment to reaching its audience with beneficial and entertaining material.

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