The Ready-to-Learn act was a program funded by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and American Congress. The initiative aimed to help teach young children language, cognitive skills, and emotional development.
Arthur title card (Source:PBS Kids)
Children across North America grew up watching shows like Clifford, Sesame Street, and Arthur.
However, last year the Trump administration ceased federal funding for PBS, citing a “divisive ideologies and woke propaganda,” according to the Department of Education (DOE).
“The decision by the Department of Education to abruptly end the Ready to Learn grant will have an immediate and profound impact on the service PBS provides to families and children across America.” Says Sara Dewitt, Senior vice president of PBS kids.
It’s not just America that will feel this impact as children across Canada grew up watching the same shows.
“Immigrant parents don’t really speak to us in English at home, so it was a good way for people like me to learn English,” said Santiago Arevalo, a student at Fanshawe College.
Social media is increasingly prevalent in children and teens, many worry that losing shows like Arthur may affect young children negatively.
“Animation is less popular because of social media, for kids who are new to the country, PBS is very important so they can learn the language, kindness, interaction and not interaction on social media,” says voice actor, Fanshawe professor, and most importantly a parent, Damon Papadopoulus.
Damon Papadopoulos as Bellow. (Source: PBS kids)
Papadopoulus was featured on an episode of Arthur titled “The Tardy Tumbler,” in which he played an olympic gymnast named Boris Belinsky.
“For it not to be funded is just a crime, they (DOE) aren’t thinking about about the future of education, inclusivity, or immigrants that need that kind of system to integrate into society.” ” says Papadopoulos.
The animation series “Phoebe and Jay” is set to be the final federal funded series by PBS Kids indefinitely, sparking conversation around media literacy and censorship.
