Things might look a bit different when you tune into Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood this August. PBS KIDS has announced that on Monday, August 12, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood will premiere its seventh season, consisting of 14 episodes with exciting new interstitials and one half-hour special.
New for the acclaimed series, each half-hour episode will include one story from Daniel’s perspective and another from the perspective of characters such as Katerina Kittycat, Miss Elaina, O the Owl, Prince Wednesday, Jodi Platypus, Max, and Chrissie. The show’s ‘Imagination Moments’ will also be presented from the unique perspectives of other characters to illustrate each friend’s own imaginative style.
A Fresh Approach to Representation
Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer of Fred Rogers Productions, shared her excitement about these changes: We’re excited that the new format will give children more opportunities to see themselves and their experiences represented as they get to know Daniel’s friends in different ways. Celebrating friends and neighbors is one of the many ways that Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood continues the legacy of Fred Rogers.
This evolution in storytelling aligns with PBS KIDS’s educational mission. In Doherty’s words, We’re also evolving the ways we serve kids across our platforms to meet their constantly changing needs with exciting new tools like augmented reality experiences.
New Songs and Stories on the Horizon
Sara DeWitt, SVP and general manager for PBS KIDS, emphasized the show’s positive impact: The reaction to new songs and stories for the Season 7 premiere has been phenomenal.
Season 7 will include a helpful potty strategy tune and an episode where Daniel and his friends wonder what’s new about Trolley. Families will also get to visit a new location and meet Jodi’s dad, Mr. Plat, who lives outside the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
Interactive Experiences
Doherty’s enthusiasm continues with news about interactive elements: The new format change will make a difference in the world.
This format aims to innovate how lessons are delivered by incorporating augmented reality experiences and weaving them seamlessly into the narrative. These elements help children live out their dreams of being a mega-talented artist, deep-sea diver, superstar athlete, or the president of a country
, through games and playful missions that stretch their imaginative skills.
Diverse Friendships Highlighted
One notable storyline includes Daniel visiting Baby Platypus, playing music together until Baby Platypus cries and Nana Platypus comes in to help. Such scenes emphasize emotional intelligence — a core tenet Fred Rogers championed.
Sara DeWitt reflected on this saying, I’m struck by how vibrant they are emotionally, which is a core tenet of what Fred taught me — that this emotional curriculum is so inherently important.
Your Favorite Characters Return
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