To kick off its third season on May 19, PBS KIDS' preschool destination invites kids to discover new cultures and build language skills through Spanish language content and new original music. Spanish language content will be introduced by Miss Rosa, played by teacher and actress Jennifer Pena, to encourage children to explore new cultures and experiences.
New original music from Mr. Steve, performed by award-winning children's recording artist Steve Roslonek, will tie in to the day's interactive curriculum theme. Miss Rosa and Mr. Steve join current teacher Miss Lori and the loveable animated guinea pig, Hooper, in the two-hour on-air block that includes CURIOUS GEORGE -- the #1 preschool series among kids ages 2-5, SUPER WHY! -- which will premiere new episodes the week of May 19, DRAGON TALES and CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG.
Out of the Blue Enterprises, the award-winning kids' educational entertainment company, created, produced and directed the all-new third season, continuing their successful collaboration with PBS KIDS.
As part of the third season, a new on-air segment with PBS KIDS icon Dash highlights a series of online "minigames" at pbskids.org that reveals Dash's Secret Treasure. The games were developed to provide short learning moments that emphasize age-appropriate content such as shapes and literacy skills.
Pbskids.org will also launch an interactive, animated version of Hooper to help kids select learning games and invites kids to contribute their own creation to Dot's Story Factory, which recently celebrated its 200,000th story created and shared by kids.
"The new season of the PBS KIDS preschool destination is designed to encourage children's curiosity about the world around them by providing an interactive and contemporary environment where they can meet new people and experience different cultures," says Lesli Rotenberg, SVP PBS KIDS Next Generation Media. "With the addition of a Spanish teacher and a music teacher, PBS KIDS is offering all children the opportunity to benefit from an enriching and diverse preschool experience."
On the new segment "Music Time with SteveSongs," Mr. Steve plays original songs including "Rhythm Safari" and "Stop, Look, Listen," as kids embrace the day's curriculum theme by interacting, singing and dancing along. Miss Rosa introduces Spanish words and phrases while guiding children in exploring age-appropriate activities around themes including transportation, rhyming and counting.
Pena, who plays Miss Rosa, is a Florida certified teacher with classroom experience, fluent in Spanish, who decided to incorporate her love of teaching with her first love -- acting. She is now teaching Acting for Kids and Teens classes, private coaching and workshops. Pena started acting professionally at the age of nine and has had roles in several national commercials including Sea World and Universal Studios, television appearances on several Nickelodeon shows and was a host for Shamu TV.
Pena recently performed as Miss Rosa in a bilingual DVD released by PBS KIDS Raising Readers to 10 target markets across the country in partnership with PBS stations serving their community. The DVD features episodes of SUPER WHY! and WORDWORLD, as well as Miss Rosa engaging the audience with reading games and offering tips on how to make learning to read fun.
Roslonek, also known as "SteveSongs," is Mr. Steve on the PBS KIDS preschool destination. Roslonek has been writing and performing his award-winning music for kids and families for the past ten years. He delights audiences throughout New England and across the country at prestigious venues such as the White House and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Wolftrap in Vienna, Virginia, and the Symphony Space in New York City and Fenway Park in Boston.
Roslonek initially began writing children's songs for his brother's first grade class in 1997. Positive feedback and inspiration quickly followed, leading Roslonek to record his first album, MORNING 'TIL NIGHT, independently in 1999.
Eight years and four albums later, Roslonek has performed at more than 2,000 shows across the country. He's won numerous prestigious awards, including two Parents' Choice Gold Awards, a Nappa Honor, iParenting Media Award, and a Children's Music Web Award. His current and critically acclaimed CD, MARVELOUS DAY, was released in 2006 on Rounder Records.
