New PBS Kids Specials: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood + Dinosaur Train w. Giveaway

New Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Special

Did you hear? Daniel Tiger is going to be a big brother! My kids were pretty excited to meet baby Margaret, thanks to the screener than PBS Kids sent us. She’s super adorable! Make sure you catch the Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Meet the Baby special on Monday, August 18!

The hour-long special begins with Daniel’s parents announcing the big news. A major part of the new episodes is to show how Daniel adjusts to his new role as big brother. Angela C. Santomero, creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, parenting guru, and the mom of two daughters, offers tips to help kids adjust to the arrival of a new baby brother or sister:

• Don’t Spill the Beans too Soon – While it’s always helpful to prepare your preschooler about what to expect and talk with them about new experiences, young children don’t understand time the way adults do. Since it can be difficult for them to wait for events happening many months in the future, try to wait as long as possible to tell your child about the new baby.
• Discuss What to Expect When You’re Expecting – Talk with your child about what to expect from newborns – they sleep a lot, cry, and can’t play games or talk (at least not the same way as your preschooler can)! If you know a family or friend with a new baby, make a brief visit so your child can see firsthand what an infant can and can’t yet do.

• Crown Your New “Big Helper” – Involve your child in caring for their new sibling right from the start. Encourage them to pick out items for the baby’s room, get the diapers when it’s changing time, and sing or talk to the baby. Giving them specific ways to lend a hand helps preschoolers feel needed and more grownup.
• Make “Mommy/Daddy & Me Time” – When the baby arrives, set aside “just you and me” times with your older child. Whether it’s a trip to the library or simply reading a story together before bed, it’s important to make sure your older child doesn’t feel left out.
• Let Them Know How Proud You Are – Help your child to feel proud about being the older brother or sister by showing your appreciation for all the things they can do that the new baby can’t yet accomplish such as  using their words. Reinforce your older child’s role in the family as the big brother or sister to the new baby.

We’re not planning on having any more kids here, but if you are or you’re expecting, watch Daniel Tiger’s Meet the Baby special with your kids. Even if you’re not expecting any new additions to your family, it was a fun episode to watch. I was pretty excited to meet baby Margaret!

Check your local PBS listings to find out what time Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood airs. Then tune in Monday, August 18 and meet Daniel’s little sister.

Dinosaur Train Classic in the Jurassic Premiere

On Monday, August 18, PBS Kids will premiere “Classic in the Jurassic,” an all-new one hour special from The Jim Henson Company’s hit series Dinosaur Train!

In the special, kids travel through time with the Pteranodon family to an Olympic-type competition in which dinosaur teams representing three Mesozoic time periods compete in contests. Following the special, new episodes of Dinosaur Train air on PBS Kids throughout the week! My kids love all the science in Dinosaur Train so I know we’ll be watching all the new episodes.

After the episode airs, you can also own Classic in the Jurassic on DVD beginning on August 26.

Guess what? PBS Kids has offered a copy of the Classic in the Jurassic DVD along with some Dinosaur Train goodies to one lucky reader! To enter, just leave a comment below telling me what you’re looking forward to most this fall/back-to-school season.

Giveaway closes on August 20 at 11:59PM ET. Winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 24 hours to claim their prize. U.S. addresses only.