Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life.

Not sure about the programming you and your children are watching? Here's a quick look to help faciliate dialogue in your home.

When is television a Positive Learning Tool?

• It encourages creativity and critical thinking.
• It is developmentally appropriate—a good match between children's growing needs and the subject matter.
• It introduces children to skills and ideas they need to learn.
• It models ways to solve problems without using force or violence.
• It shows people getting along with one another and showing respect.
• It engages children to sing along, answer questions, dance and join in the fun with the characters they see on television.
• It helps to teach the values that are important to parents and caregivers.
• It helps children feel good about their own and other cultures, family routines and communities.
• It inspires children to want to learn and read more.

When is television NOT a Positive Learning Tool?

• It occupies too much of a child's time.
• It is not created for a young audience.
• It teaches children ideas, words and behaviors that are inappropriate.
• It exposes children to violence as a means of problem solving.
• It teaches values that must be "untaught" by parents and providers.
• It presents age, gender, racial or cultural stereotypes.
• It encourages children to think their parents need to buy them products.
• It encourages children to be passive and not engaged.