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Tags: #Education, #Environment
April 15 2020 -TheNewswire - A new Home Edition of the Planet Protector Academy is riding to the rescue of overstressed parents who are looking for creative ways to inspire their children to take care of the planet and each other.
The COVID-19 crisis has forced thousands of Canadian children to isolate at home, away from school, and that has many parents looking for ways to keep their kids happy and occupied. DreamRider Productions, a B.C.-based not-for-profit that specializes in environmental education for kids, has listened and responded by offering an at-home version of its award-winning classroom program, the Planet
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Protector Academy. Kids, parents and teachers can access the activities and resources on computers and tablets in homes across Canada.
The programming is ideal for children ages 6-11.
For more than 20 years, DreamRider has toured live school shows that inspire children to become life-long change-makers. In 2014, the company launched the Planet Protector Academy to translate that magic into a digital online program that can be used in any classroom anywhere. Teachers love the award-winning enviro-educational content, which incorporates theatre, music, theatre, and - most importantly - fun to help children learn how to fight climate change and care for the environment.
Vanessa LeBourdais, DreamRider executive producer and co-founder, said the team had discussed introducing at-home content at some point in the future, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed plans.
"When this happened, I immediately said to my team, 'We're doing the Planet Protector Academy at home,'" she said.
"Right now we're in a liminal (transformative) space," she said. "The whole word is on pause. In that space, I want to help kids create the world they want."
The Planet Protector Academy: Home Edition provides the same engaging content that teachers have used in the classroom for two decades. Here's how it works:
-DreamRider uses theatre, music and humour to make children feel they can personally have an impact on the Earth's environment. Your child becomes a real-world superhero as an Apprentice Planet Protector, learning how to be a leader in their family and community.
-The PPA: Home Edition features DreamRider's beloved actors, Sara Holt and Ian Gschwind, who connect with kids through daily live webcasts. Appearing both as themselves and (in pre-filmed video segments) in character as Esmeralda Planet Protector and her goofy sidekick Goober, Ian and Sara take kids through lessons and activities that include singing, dancing, games and crafts.
-Kids get "missions" they can do at home, inspiring their family and siblings to change behaviours, like turning off lights, taking shorter showers and reducing waste.
DreamRider's at-home content will help kids cope with feelings of anxiety and fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental issues, such as climate change. Information is presented in child-friendly terms, and the program invites kids to take action to stay healthy, safe and protect the planet.
The program is set to launch on April 20, in time for world-wide celebrations of Earth Day on April 22.
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About DreamRider Productions
Veteran theatre artists Vanessa LeBourdais and Ian Gschwind founded DreamRider Productions in Vancouver, B.C., in 2002, with a mission to build generations of socially and ecologically responsible young citizens through the excitement of live theatre, interactive media, music and film.
The program has reached more than one million children through live shows in the Vancouver area and through the Planet Protector Academy, which reaches more than 125 cities in Canada, six U.S. states and in India. In the 2018-19 school year, participating Canadian children completed more 22,000 superhero missions to lead change in their families.
Contact Information
Cinthia Nemoto, Partnerships & Marketing Manager
DreamRider Productions, creators of the Planet Protector Academy
416-303-6267 / cinthia@dreamriderproductions.com
Twitter: @EnviroHeroes
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