PBS Kids wins inaugural Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award for Play and Learn Science

SEATTLE– PBS Kids is the 2019 recipient of the first Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award for Play and Learn Science. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibition held January 25 - 29, in Seattle, Washington.

The Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award is given to the producer of the most distinguished digital media for an early learning audience produced in the United States during the preceding year. Award and honor recipients will receive their awards in Washington, D.C., during the ALA Annual Conference in June.

In Play and Learn Science, children explore scientific concepts while developing problem-solving skills. Experiment with water, weather, physics, and light in a digital environment.

Caregivers are encouraged to play and discover alongside a child through co-learning prompts and suggested real-world investigations. Open-ended activities allow for exploration and promote a growth mindset. Bright, friendly graphics will draw young users in and verbal cues facilitate navigation.

“The committee was impressed by the extensive tips and activity suggestions for caregivers that lead to shared experiences within the app and the real world,” said Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award Committee Chair, Mary Kuehner.

Two Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Honor titles were named:

Coral Reef produced by Tinybop Inc.

With impressive sound effects and crisp, clean graphics, children (4-8) have ample opportunities to explore the gritty, gross, gorgeous and wondrous aspects of the reef ecosystem. The app offers vocabulary in 20+ languages and includes a handbook for caregivers to use as they support children’s discovery of ocean life.

Lexi’s World produced by Pop Pop Pop LLC.

Explore Lexi’s World, an enchanting app that provides a gentle introduction to letters, words, animals and actions. The playful landscape allows young children and caregivers ample opportunities for rich interaction with each other. Surprises abound as children bring words to life and reveal discoveries about cause and effect.

The members of the 2019 Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award Committee are Chair Mary Kuehner, Arapahoe Library District, Centennial, Colo.; Jennifer Driscoll, Pasadena (Calif.) Public Library; Maria Estrella, Cleveland Public Library; Maryanne Olson, Queens (N.Y). Public Library; Katie Paciga, Columbia College Chicago; Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Joella Bagshaw, Provo City (Utah) Library; Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library; and Caitlin Tormey, Sacramento (Calif.) Public Library.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers, and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at www.ala.org/alsc.

For more information on the Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.

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