PVT, The Ready to Learn Service on PBS was created to support families, teachers and caregivers as they work to prepare preschool children for school and beyond. Ready to Learn is a three point program which stresses watching , doing , and reading . Parents, other family members and caregivers are encouraged to watch selected PBS programs with their children. These programs teach social and learning skills in a fun, non-threatening atmosphere. The friends children find on PBS are often the most stable and intellectually stimulating in their young lives.
Children learn to count, recognize letters, and read simple words.
They hear correct patterns of speech and develop verbal ability. But most importantly, they see conflicts solved in non-violent ways, learn to respect people from diverse backgrounds and watch characters interacting in ways that are positive and mutually suppotive. Adults are encouraged to consider carefully what children watch on television, to amplify with activities the learning experience of watching, and to link books and reading to programs. Ready to Learn stresses quality, not quantity of television viewing. In fact, Ready to Learn advocates no more than ten hours of television viewing per week for children.