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Smart Start Kids
Smart Start Kids is a locally produced children's program for 3- to 5-year olds and their families. Local children are the "stars" of the show and go "behind the scenes" of interesting places throughout North Carolina. Besides fun, educational "field trips," host Willa Brigham, encourages children to share their stories, sing songs, ask questions and play along. Smart Start Kids began airing on WRAL in October 2002 and won a Mid-South Regional Emmy Award in the Children's Educational Program category in 2004. Besides WRAL, Capitol Broadcasting Company also broadcasts this program on its stations in Charlotte and Wilmington and shares this award-winning program with statewide television station UNC-TV.
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Smart Start Kids: Aug. 16, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Aug. 23, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Aug. 30, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Sept. 13, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Sept. 27, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Oct. 11, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Oct. 18, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Nov. 1, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 63
This weekend, we learn about paper and papermaking with artist and teacher John Dancy-Jones in Raleigh. At Briarcliff Elementary in Cary, Willa and friends tell a story about building a beautiful birdhouse. And, in Rocky Mount, we visit Clifton May to see how he makes fabulous sculptures from scrap metal.
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Smart Start Kids: Nov. 29, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids
See who rings the bells above Duke University’s chapel.
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Smart Start Kids: Dec. 13, 2008
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 30
A special holiday program celebrates the joy of giving during Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
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Smart Start Kids: Dec. 27, 2008
Learn how to make fruitcake at Southern Supreme's factory, and see how dogs learn how to act for movies and TV.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 46
Come aboard the Catawba Queen at Lake Norman, the state's largest manmade lake in North Carolina! Visit Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory of Charlotte for a tour of his office. McCrory reminds kids to wear their bike helmets and stay safe.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 50
This weekend, Smart Start Kids takes the plunge with a swimming lesson at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA. In Cumberland Co., Willa and kids tell a story about some very tricky spaghetti. And, we visit Spence's Farm in Orange Co., where we "pay" the animals for the work they do and the food they give us.
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Smart Start Kids Episode 51
The award-winning Smart Start Kids show lets area children tell about activities in their lives that are getting them ready for school.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 52
Visit the eye doctor at the Duke Eye Center in Durham. Willa and friends from the Northern Regional Ready to Learn Center in Wake Co., tell a story about some chilly weather. And, at the Equine Health Center in Southern Pines we find out why horses wear shoes.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 53
We peek in on some baby birds in a birdhouse built by Wendell's birdhouse builder, Stuart Shearin. We even build some tiny birdhouses ourselves. In Wake Forest, Willa and kids tell a story about a cousin who comes to visit. And in Moore Co., Smart Start Kids helps with some old-fashioned household chores at Malcolm Blue Farm.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 54
We move dirt, dig holes and lift HEAVY rocks at Caterpillar in Clayton. In Wake Co., Willa and kids tell a story about a grandmother getting some exercise, including riding a bicycle. And, near Zebulon, we meet Vicki Hartrich, an artist who turns garden gourds into beautiful works of art.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 55
Go underwater and behind-the-scenes at the North Carolina Aquarium. Then, hear a story about Outer Space and explore forest of sculptures.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 56
Willa and friends visit Lee's Shoes in Dunn to see how taps are put on tap shoes. Then, Willa puts those shoes to work in a tap dancing class with a group of kids at Janice's Fabulous Feet Dance Studio in Dunn. In Chapel Hill, we make colorful balls wrapped in wool with felt artist Annette Ringeisen.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 57
Meet fun and fascinating animals at Noah's Landing in Coats. Listen to a story about a mysterious gift that helps the recipient see things differently. Get a meal and practice good manners with Ms. Donna from Amazing Grace Etiquette.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 59
Visit musician Tony Williamson and his son, Hardy, at their cabin in Siler City. Tony tells us about his favorite musical instrument, the mandolin. Willa tells a story about a very big house. Meet "Weaver," a fabulous foxhound in Chapel Hill who is top dog in his sport, "dog agility."
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 60
Learn how to make furniture with the artisans at Duke Homestead.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 61
See some friendly insects at the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science in Durham. And Durham dancer Jody Cassell shares her story, "Where's Leon?" with kids at the Durham Arts Council.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 62
Visit puppeteer Hobey Ford and his Golden Rod Puppets at Artsplosure's in Raleigh. In Cary, Willa and friends tell a story about making cookies. Then, 4-year-old Alexabelle and her mother make a favorite Puerto Rican dish, "Pastelillos."
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 63
Learn about paper and papermaking with Raleigh artist John Dancy-Jones in Raleigh. At Briarcliff Elementary in Cary, Willa and friends tell a story about building a beautiful birdhouse. In Rocky Mount, visit Clifton May to see how he makes fabulous sculptures from scrap metal.
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Smart Start Kids: Episode 64
This week, the kids learn about photography at Barton College, hear a colorful gardening story and visit folk artist in Lucama.
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Smart Start Kids: April 18, 2009
The kids see old-style furniture made at Duke Homestead and share their favorite things, such as swimming.
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Smart Start Kids: April 25, 2009
Learn how the carillon rings in Duke University's Tower.
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Smart Start Kids: May 2, 2009
Learn how to make music with the father of one of the children, Jack Harret, at his studio.
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Smart Start Kids: May 9, 2009
The children learn how you can have fun with even plain brown, cardboard boxes.
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Smart Start Kids: May 16, 2009
The children learn some stretches in a visit to Chapel Hill Tennis Club, then listen to the sounds of traditional Chinese instruments.
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Smart Start Kids: May 23, 2009
Learn how to make tasty fruit cakes at Southern Supreme’s store in Bear Creek.
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Smart Start Kids: May 30, 2009
Willa and the kids play with a women’s soccer team, tell stories about exercise, and visit the Sunshine Lavendar garden in Durham.
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Smart Start Kids: June 6, 2009
Exercises help small hands learn how to do big jobs, and Willa and the kids make up a story playing the I-Spy-With-My-Little-Eye game.


