PEEP and the Big Wide World

Graphical Abstract

PEEP and the Big Wide World is a public television show and website devoted to engaging preschool-aged children in developmentally appropriate science. PEEP’s newest effort is to address the needs of home-based, family childcare educators, who provide childcare for approximately 26% of U.S. children.

Abstract

PEEP and the Big Wide World is an animated public television show about the adventures of a young chicken named Peep, and his friends Chirp and Quack. Together they explore the city park where they live, discovering the wonders of the world around them. The show first aired on public television in 2007 with the aim of bringing a comprehensive, age-appropriate science program to children between three and five years old, and provides free educational resources in English and Spanish. Each episode of PEEP and the Big Wide World presents two STEM concepts and includes short live-action segments of real kids investigating these concepts in their own communities. The show’s accompanying website is a critical component of its educational outreach, providing games and videos that engage children in further learning about the concepts they saw on the show. With each new season, WGBH, the public broadcaster that produces the show, seeks to expand the show’s reach to include more diverse and underserved audiences.

Keywords:

• Informal Education

Supplemental Material

Author Contributions

Borgna Brunner ([email protected]) is an editorial project director at WGBH Educational Foundation in Boston, Massachusetts.

Notes

1 This pilot study employed a mixed methods research design encompassing both quantitative and qualitative methods that informed revisions and measured the impact of the curriculum. In addition, summative evaluation was used to assess additional target audiences for the project, including English- and Spanish-speaking families and preschool educators.hor This pilot study employed a mixed methods research design encompassing both quantitative and qualitative methods that informed revisions and measured the impact of the curriculum. In addition, summative evaluation was used to assess additional target audiences for the project, including English- and Spanish-speaking families and preschool educators.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Borgna Brunner

Borgna Brunner ([email protected]) is an editorial project director at WGBH Educational Foundation in Boston, Massachusetts.