PBS Kids Go Launches National Writing Contest
PBS Kids has announced it is partnering with PBS affiliate WNED-TV Buffalo/Toronto to launch the PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest, a national contest built on local competitions in which children in grades K through 3 enter their original stories and illustrations. The goals are to promote the advancement of children's reading skills through hands-on activity and to raise awareness of the power of storytelling and creativity in education and in life.
An outgrowth of the successful 15-year run of the "Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest," originally created by WNED and partner NET Nebraska, the Go! Writers Contest will begin with eager young writers submitting their stories and accompanying illustrations for consideration in local writing competitions affiliated with the Go! contest. From there, the local winners will have their work judged by a specially selected panel to determine the national contest winners next summer. Prizes will include computers, MP3 players and other electronic devices.
"We know from research that there is an important connection between writing and the development of early literacy skills, critical cornerstones for school readiness and achievement," said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children's Media, PBS. "PBS KIDS uses the power of media to open up the worlds of letters and words for all young children, encouraging them to explore ways to communicate more effectively and increasing their odds of success."
PBS Kids Go!, a division of PBS Kids, serves children in grades K through 3. The partnership also plans to launch a PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest Web site early next year, which will include regularly updated contest information and an archive of winning stories.
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