PBS KIDS offers a self-paced professional development for preK–second grade teachers that highlights new tools to engage young minds.

Through online experiences, you can explore how PBS KIDS series such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood can be used for social-emotional learning or how Ready, Jet, Go! introduces engineering principles. Educators can explore ways to integrate media-rich lesson plans and empower students to expand their natural curiosity.

Featured learning paths include interactive media use to support playful learning experiences, a toolkit of resources to nurture home languages in your classroom, and using technology to enhance communication with families.

ATPE recognizes the value these resources bring to educators, providing a unique opportunity to boost student and family engagement. Learning objectives and strategies are tied to educational programming that many young children already know and love. Furthermore, language acquisition for ESL learners can be supported with programming and explicit instruction that enhances vocabulary retention, comprehension and phonological short-term memory. These resources can benefit students academically while also strengthening the connection between home and school.

Free and fully self-paced, you can start right now at teach.pbskids.org. The training provides a certificate that may fulfill required hours for continuing education! Austin PBS is a TEA Approved Provider.