KCTS Kids & Family outreach program is built around Ready to Learn, a national PBS outreach initiative, launched in 1994, and partially supported by the U.S. Department of Education. It is public television's contribution toward our nation's most urgent educational challenge — ensuring that all children begin school "ready to learn." The program extends resources to parents and educators throughout the country. There is a special focus on serving disadvantaged and "at risk" families and children, from birth through the age of eight.

KCTS Kids & Family has participated in the program since 1996. Providing over 40 workshops a year, KCTS helps parents and educators prepare children for a lifetime of curiosity, learning and development. In addition to workshops, KCTS provides other resources to meet the needs of young children, including complementary materials and guides; free books; KCTS Kids & Family electronic newsletter; online area; and parent and educator support — all designed to reinforce and support the educational goals and themes presented in PBS's children's programming.

KCTS offers a variety of workshops, from basic Ready To Learn workshops to those focusing on a particular program or theme such as media literacy or social/emotional support. Following are examples of typical workshops conducted by KCTS:

• Read To Me
  This workshop is designed to help parents motivate children to read. Participants learn hands-on tools and strategies to promote reading, as well as incorporating reading into daily routines and consider television's impact on young children.
• TV Smarts
  This workshop is available to teachers and parents, introducing participants to the concept of media literacy. Participants explore the impact of media on children, learn about television viewing tips, and evaluate the quality and content of television programs.
• What Do You Do with the Mad that You Feel?
  Children aren't born with self-control, but adults can help children find healthy outlets for the mad that they feel. At this workshop based on the song written by Mr. (Fred) Rogers, child care providers and parents will learn how to support young children's self-control, anger management and helpful ways to intervene with an angry child.