For families looking to make screen time more meaningful, Vegas PBS Kids offers a trusted place where curiosity, imagination, and learning come together. “Media can help children learn,” said Dr. Niki Brunetti, Executive Director, Education & Business Development at Vegas PBS, pointing to the long-standing idea behind PBS KIDS: that television, when created with care and intention, can support children’s emotional and social development.
That approach still guides the brand today. Dr. Brunetti said PBS KIDS stands out as “a trusted, non-commercial space where learning is the focus,” with content developed alongside early childhood education experts and grounded in research. The goal, she explained, is to “spark curiosity and help children connect what they see on screen to the world around them.”
Vegas PBS KIDS also encourages children to use their imaginations, not just absorb information passively. “Our characters are built to support learning through creativity and imagination,” Dr. Brunetti said, noting that they model curiosity, problem-solving, and pretend play while inviting children to participate in the story. She pointed to Daniel Tiger as an example of a character who pauses to ask questions, encourages responses, and uses strategy songs that help children apply ideas in everyday routines.
For local families, access is free and flexible. Dr. Brunetti said families can watch PBS KIDS over the air on channel 10.3, stream through the PBS KIDS Video app, connected TV devices, pbskids.org, and other digital platforms, and explore educational games through the PBS KIDS Games app and website. In person, families can also visit www.vegaspbs.org/van for community events, take-home learning tools, and occasional visits from PBS KIDS characters.
That access is designed to fit naturally into daily life. Dr. Brunetti said the most effective way to use PBS KIDS at home is to treat it as “a starting point for learning, not just screen time,” and emphasized that co-viewing and co-playing help children make stronger connections. A nature episode, for example, might lead to a walk outside or a related book, turning a simple moment into a deeper learning experience.
The impact is visible throughout Southern Nevada. Dr. Brunetti said that through nearly 200 family engagement events each year, Vegas PBS sees parents leave with “new ideas and greater confidence in supporting learning at home.” Families have shared stories about children learning English through PBS KIDS, potty training helped along by Daniel Tiger, and everyday routines becoming opportunities for literacy and discovery.
“We know PBS KIDS is making a difference because families tell us every day,” Brunetti said. For Vegas PBS, those “aha” moments are the point, and proof that learning can happen in the everyday moments families already share.