WXXI Kids

PBS KIDS Special: The Day You Begin On-Demand & Read-Aloud

On their first day of school, four imaginative kids feel like they don’t belong, until they learn that everyone has a unique story to share. “The Day You Begin” is a journey of self-acceptance, courage, and the magic that comes when we connect with others. Bursting with color, laughs, and compassion, this animated adaptation brings Jacqueline Woodson’s beloved book to life, reminding kids that every voice matters and every difference is a strength. Watch on-demand below: Find More Back To School Resources

The animated special is based on a book by Jacqueline Woodson: The Day You Begin. Here is a read aloud by the author.

Phoebe & Jay • WXXI-TV & WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7

This new animated series for children ages 3-5 follows the adventures of 6-year-old fraternal twins Phoebe and Jay Yarber, who live with their family in the fantastical Tobsy Towers.

Phoebe & Jay airs weekdays and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV and on the Live Stream, weekdays at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on WXXI PBS KIDS & Live Stream and anytime on the PBS KIDS Video app

Whether using a flyer to help a neighbor find a lost pet, reading clothing labels to find the right size shirt, or using a chore chart to tidy up before a surprise guest arrives, Phoebe and Jay model for young viewers how they, too, can use various kinds of texts kids see in their everyday lives to develop important life skills and engage with others in their family and community.

At the heart of “Phoebe & Jay” is a curriculum highlighting the importance of developing preschoolers’ functional “everyday” literacy skills, empowering them to use and create a variety of functional texts in the world around them to tackle challenges and accomplish tasks in their daily lives. Texts might be written, visual, auditory, or haptic and may include lists, labels, signs, sounds and vibrations, instructions, menus, icons and symbols, and tactile text like braille. The series also supports the development of foundational executive function skills like focused attention, impulse control, flexible thinking, working memory, and task persistence that help the characters read and find meaning in the texts they encounter.

Explore the Phoebe & Jay PBS KIDS site for videos and games.
Learn More About the Series & Resources at the PBS KIDS for Parents Series Page

Phoebe & Jay PBS LearningMedia Collection

Carl the Collector • WXXI-TV & WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7

This new animated series for children ages 4-8 follows the everyday adventures of Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who loves collecting things.

Carl the Collector airs daily at 8:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV and on the Live Stream, daily at 11 a.m. on WXXI PBS KIDS & Live Stream and anytime on the PBS KIDS Video app

His talents – a laser-focus pursuit of his goals, attention to detail, and a distinctive way of looking at and experiencing the world around him – have helped him amass a collection for just about every occasion and come in handy for solving problems around the neighborhood with his friends. Carl has a lot of energy and is logical and precise, yet he often struggles with anxiety in new situations and has difficulty when things don’t go according to plan. Like all of his friends, he is learning that there is no right or wrong way to be himself.

Carl the Collector is presented as part of Move to Include^TM, WXXI and The Golisano Foundation’s award-winning national initiative promoting disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in public media. Visit movetoinclude.org to learn more.

Photo: Carl the Collector
Copyright Fuzzytown Productions, LLC

Learn More About the Series & Resources

I Can Be What?! • Saturdays at 9 a.m. on WXXI-TV

A series that gives kids a sneak peek into the world of STEAM careers – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.

I Can Be What?! airs Saturdays at 9 a.m., beginning October 5 on WXXI-TV and repeats Sunday, starting October 6 at 7 a.m. It will also air on WXXI-Kids Saturdays, October 19-November 9 at 6:30 p.m.

WXXI is proud to bring its YouTube series, I Can Be What?!, that gives kids a sneak peek into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) careers, to WXXI-TV. The series explores various professions with host Jennifer Indovina, a science communicator, inventor, and electrical engineer. Jennifer visits professionals on their own turf and embeds herself in their workdays. A zookeeper, a chocolatier, an athletic trainer – she jumps headfirst into a typical day, learning not only what makes their jobs fun and rewarding, but the responsibilities, skills, and education involved in doing their work.

Geared towards students 7-11 years old, I Can Be What?! provides an entryway into career exploration that will stimulate conversation, inspire further research, and ultimately instill confidence in pursuing academic, technical, trade, and artistic endeavors. The series’ website, WXXI.org/icanbewhat, provides online content and resources to help parents, caregivers and educators further their student’s exploration process.

Episodes and details:

• In Episode 101 on October 5 at 9 a.m. Jen talks with a helicopter pilot, content creator, and zookeeper.

• In Episode 102 on October 12 at 9 a.m. Jen visits a welder, wildlife technician, beverage entrepreneur, and electrician.

• In Episode 103 on October 19 at 9 a.m. Jen learns more about a veterinarian, tower technician, athletic trainer, chef, and diesel mechanic.

• In Episode 104 on October 26 at 9 a.m. Jen meets a solar panel installer, dance teacher, chocolatier, and food scientist .

WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7

WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7 is a TV channel and livestream dedicated to PBS KIDS programming when and where you want it. Committed to providing educational children’s programming that sparks kids’ imaginations and fosters a life-long love of learning, WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7 can be found on WXXI-TV 21.4/cable channel 1277 and via the PBS KIDS Video App. This service builds on WXXI’s commitment to provide an essential service for children, parents, teachers, and life-long learners. See WXXI Education Early Learning section for more resources.

Schedule: Online Schedule

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WXXI Kids

WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7

PBS KIDS Program Resources, Videos & Games

Lyla in the Loop: Videos, Games & Activities

Alma’s Way: Videos, Games & Activities

Arthur: Videos, Games & Activities

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Games, Videos & Activities

Cyberchase: Videos, Games & Activities

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Videos, Games & Activities

Dinosaur Train: Videos, Games & Activities

Donkey Hodie: Songs, Videos & Activities

Elinor Wonders Why: Songs, Videos & Activities

Hero Elementary: Games, Videos & Activities

Jamming on the Job Podcast Series

Let’s Go Luna: Games, Videos & Activities

Molly of Denali: Games, Videos, Podcast & Activities

Nature Cat: Songs, Videos & Activities

Odd Squad: Games, Videos, Podcast & Activities

Peg + Cat: Songs, Videos & Activities

Pinkalicious and Peterrific: Videos, Games & Activities

Ready Jet Go!: Videos, Games & Activities

Rosie’s Rules: Videos, Games & Activities

Wild Kratts: Videos, Games & Activities

Sesame Street: Songs, Activities & Videos

Sid the Science Kid: Games, Videos & Activities

WordGirl: Videos, Games & Activities

Work It Out Wombats Videos, Games, and Songs

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: Games, Videos & Activities

PBS KIDS Family Night

SuperWhy: Videos, Games & Activities

Curious George: Songs, Videos & Activities

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