Statistics show that one in five Virginia children arrives in kindergarten without the basic skills to succeed. "At Blue Ridge PBS, we understand that today's children are tomorrow's citizens who will contribute to our economy and strengthen our communities," said Julie Newman, Blue Ridge PBS Executive Producer and host of "Positive Parenting." "We developed this program for anyone who cares for or works with young children."

"Positive Parenting" will help children in the region enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life. This is a goal of Smart Beginnings of Greater Roanoke, a Roanoke area collaborative established to improve early childhood services. As a Smart Beginnings partner, Blue Ridge PBS has created an educational program that features interviews with local experts in the infant and child care field. "Positive Parenting" will also take viewers inside popular local child care and pre-school programs. The program is organized into six areas of interest: family life, health and safety, infants and toddlers, pre-schoolers, community resources and corporate support.

"Smart Beginnings is very pleased to be able to partner with Blue Ridge PBS on this project," said Danielle Murray, Program Manager for Smart Beginnings of Greater Roanoke. "The mission of Smart Beginnings is to inform parents, providers and the community on how to ensure that our children are ready to be successful, both in school and in their community. We feel that this program will help highlight how important early childhood is, not only for school success but for the success of our economy and future workforce."

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