Years before Rhianna's ASL interpreter went viral for her incredible 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance, PBS KIDS began researching what the deaf community wanted and how best to expand deaf accessibility and inclusion.
Last year, PBS KIDS launched American Sign Language interpretations for several of their popular shows to better support young children who are deaf, hard of hearing or not yet old enough to read closed captions. Each series has its own American Sign Language interpreter onscreen, not only signing but expressing and experiencing the story along with the child. PBS LearningMedia also has classroom resources for early childhood educators and parents, including activities, videos and more to support learning.
Below we're highlighting 5 of the ASL versioned PBS KIDS' shows available to stream now, along with PBSLM classroom support materials.
1. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
(Available in Spanish)
🍎 PBS LEARNINGMEDIA - Classroom Resources
It's a beautiful day in Daniel Tigers' neighborhood! This show, inspired by Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, stars 4-year-old Daniel Tiger who talks directly to the audience to teach key social skills for school and life. Watch the ASL versioned full episodes of the show with English and Spanish audio with the whole family. If you're an educator or parent, explore the support materials (also available in Spanish) for 6 full episodes of the show, including posters, teaching moments, conversation cards, printable activity sheets, and more!
2. Lyla in the Loop
(Available in Spanish)
Let's have fun with Lyla, Stu and the Loop family! Lyla, 7-years-old, collaborates with family and friends to help others in her community while introducing the audience to foundational computational thinking concepts. ASL versioned full episodes are available to watch right now with English and Spanish audio for ages 4 - 8! If you're an educator or parent looking for classroom support, you'll find interactive coding games like Lyla + Stu's Snack Chase, experiments, printable activity sheets and more on PBS LearningMedia. However, the videos on LearningMedia are not ASL versioned (yet!).
3. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Fred Rogers changed the way we all think about teaching and meeting children where they are. Return to the Land of Make-Believe with ASL versioned full episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood available to watch now.
"This is what I give. I give an expression of care every day to each child, to help him realize that he is unique… I feel that if we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health." -- Fred Rogers, 1969 Senate hearing on PBS funding
4. Alma's Way
(Available in Spanish)
🍎 PBS LEARNINGMEDIA - Classroom Resources
Wepa! Alma's Way, created by Sonia Manzano, or Maria on "Sesame Street," is the story of 6-year-old Alma Rivera, along with her friends and neighbors. She speaks directly to her 4 to 6-year-old audience to think through problems, decisions and view points outside her own. Watch the ASL versioned full episodes of the show with English and Spanish audio. Explore the support materials (also available in Spanish) for educators and parents for 5 full episodes of the show, including lesson summaries, printable activity sheets, and video clips that support critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and group discussion.
5. Work It Out Wombats!
(Available in Spanish)
Educators and parents can practice computational thinking for ages 3-6 with "Work It Out Wombats!" Three energetic siblings who live with their grandmother in the Treeborhood, or the largest treehouse ever, work together to solve neighborhood problems. ASL versioned full episodes are available to watch right now with English and Spanish audio! If you're an educator or parent looking for classroom support, you'll find lesson plans, video resources, and digital games on PBS LearningMedia. However, the resources on LearningMedia are not ASL versioned (yet!).
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