PBS KIDS Sprout Relaunches Website

PHILADELPHIA, August 22: The 24-hour U.S. preschool network
PBS KIDS Sprout has relaunched its award-winning website with enhanced features
such as preschooler-generated content, parent blogs and new games.

Located at www.sproutonline.com, the new website also
features a password-protected “My Refrigerator” section, the first
user-generated, art-sharing online community for preschoolers and their
families. The section allows preschoolers and their families to create their
very own virtual refrigerator displaying their photos and artwork, and even
send email to their friends and other family members. Parents can also choose
to share their child's artwork and photos in the Sprout Sharing Galleries,
which can be viewed by other SproutOnline.com registered visitors and may even
be shown on-air. “My Refrigerator” allows parents to upload their children’s
favorite photos and homemade artwork, communicate with friends and family
through the private Sprout Mail center, keep track of their preschooler's
favorite games and activities, and view fun event dates and activity
recommendations from Sprout.

The network has also launched a national contest to promote
the “My Refrigerator” section. Beginning today, visitors to the website can
upload photos of their refrigerator at home for a chance to win a new home
computer with kid-friendly accessories courtesy of Chester Creek Technologies,
a designer and manufacturer of innovative computer keyboards and mice for
children and people with special needs. Also launching today on
SproutOnline.com is "Sprout For Parents," an online gathering spot
for moms and dads to share, learn and get ideas. It will feature articles and
accompanying blogs on subjects that are of interest to parents of small
children, ranging from ideas for ways to play together to advice on helping
kids develop healthy eating habits. Each topic begins with an expert opinion
from leaders in issues of importance to children and families and continues
with contributions from parents.

"We know that moms, dads and preschoolers are coming
online to interact with Sprout and our characters, get craft ideas and play
games," said Eileen Diskin, the VP of marketing for PBS KIDS Sprout.
"Our newly enhanced and expanded website is just one more way that Sprout
is bringing parents and preschoolers together to share entertaining and fun
moments within the child's world."