Think back and picture it: It's 3:30 p.m. on a Tuesday in 2012. You're in the third grade and had an awesome day. You crushed your times tables worksheet in under two minutes.
You're on your way home, rushing your mom so you can get to a double feature on PBS Kids: "Wild Kratts" at 4 p.m. and "Arthur" at 4:30 p.m.
Now, in real time, a lot of older Gen Z and Millennials can recall this shared childhood experience. But recent federal funding cuts to PBS and NPR have caused reflection among those who grew up with public media. Many look back on the network fondly, while some worry about its ability to continue educating future generations.
READ MORE: Federal funding cuts to public media may impact Arizona PBS, students
Kimberly Hurtado, a senior studying nursing, said she loved PBS Kids when she was little. She said her favorite shows were "Arthur" and "Super Why!". She specifically cited "Super Why!" because it helped her better learn English while growing up in a Spanish-speaking household.
Hurtado said PBS Kids not only functions through teaching kids basic fundamentals like math and science, but it also teaches them social and emotional learning.
"I have a nephew, and he's about 6, so he watches a lot of the PBS shows," Hurtado said. "Recently, the PBS shows are more about diversity, teaching kids how to handle their emotions if they're upset."
This kind of emotional education is not only highly regarded by families of young children but educators too.
Autumn Fairbanks is an ASU graduate and secondary special education teacher. When discussing how valuable social and emotional learning is in children's media, they recalled their childhood.
"There was a Mr. Rogers' (Neighborhood) episode that focused on big feelings, and he sang a little song about it, or had one of his little puppet friends help him with it," Fairbanks said. "His main message was: It's okay to feel these things. It's okay to have these really big, really difficult feelings, but what you can control is your reactions to them."
Fairbanks said that through PBS Kids, they got coping skills they might not have learned anywhere else. They said emotional and social learning was not as focused on in the classroom during their youth.
Alyson White Maturo, a senior studying secondary education, agrees with Fairbanks and thinks PBS Kids is a tool that not only entertains children but also teaches them how to understand themselves.
"The most important thing with PBS shows, and having a public resource, is having a resource that shows kids stories that can teach them about their emotions and their feelings," she said.
White Maturo said that as an educator, emotional learning is extremely important, and it can't be compared to academics.
"You can't teach a kid math if a kid is upset about something going on at home or they're having a big feeling," White Maturo said.
READ MORE: 'Kids still need teachers': ASU educators share thoughts on their future careers
In addition to its emotional and educational content, PBS Kids, with its public funding, has not only educated generations but also relieved the burdens of many parents because of its verified and regulated material.
White Maturo said this is one of the biggest benefits of public media. Parents understand that they can turn the channel on for their children and not have to worry about its content.
She also specifically highlighted how PBS Kids can serve as a lifeline for low-income households who rely on the free access of publicly funded media.
"I've seen so many different types of families, and a lot of families who couldn't afford to pay for Disney+, or don't have the time to sit down and regulate, 'Okay, what is my kid watching on YouTube?'" White Maturo said.
Although PBS may have received funding cuts earlier this year, public media is still just as invaluable to the children, educators and parents who understand its importance. It's the same kind of passion that was displayed by everyone's favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers, all the way back in 1969, when he testified in front of Congress to defend public media and its impact.
Edited by Kasturi Tale, Henry Smardo and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at jagon128@asu.edu.
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Jazlyn Gonzales is junior studying Journalism and Mass Communication. This is her third semester with the State Press. She has also interned at KJZZ.
