About Look, Listen & Learn TV
Look, Listen + Learn TV was founded in 2008 by Val Thomas-Matson, who was on a mission to improve early learning and media representation for children of color.
About the Organization
Founded by Val Thomas-Matson
Thomas-Matson was driven by her experience growing up as a Black girl in Seattle. She understood from an early age that the world didn’t expect her to do well in school. Internalized racism fostered a low self-belief that, in turn, impacted her success in the classroom. As an adult, Thomas-Matson’s answer to this pattern of systemic racism was using the power of the media to help children of color see that they can be successful in society. She was inspired by the brain development research behind educational shows like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and Blue’s Clues, but representation was severely lacking, and seeing yourself represented on screen is a critical component to internalizing positive messages.
Over a decade later, Thomas-Matson has created a television show rooted in early learning that doesn’t just include people of color; we feature them. LL+L TV offers access to early learning tools and five award-winning seasons of its television series, Look, Listen + Learn. The show features an almost exclusively BIPOC cast and is Washington State’s only children’s educational television program, created by a Black-owned organization and a women-led production staff, for children, parents, and caregivers.
LL&L
Research Behind the Work
90% of brain development happens before a child turns 5 years old.
33% of Black and Native kindergarteners have the skills expected of their grade level.
4% of children's tv characters nationally are Black and Latinx (no data for Native characters).
About the Organization
Founded by Val Thomas-Matson
Representation matters for everyone, but for kids, media representation is even more meaningful as they look for cues in their social environment to develop and shape their understanding of the world. It’s important for all children to see diverse – and positive – portrayals of races and ethnicities. But for children of color, it can mean the difference between feeling invisible and believing in their own abilities. It’s also important for adults and decision-makers to understand the impact of representation to advance change in the media and our educational systems.
Our scripts are anchored in the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Social-Emotional Learning Standards. Seattle Children’s Hospital research conducted by Drs. Dimitri A. Christakis and Frederick J. Zimmerman, Directors of the Child Health Institute at the University of Washington. Their work is featured in their book, The Elephant in the Living Room. They provide data for creating TV that works proactively for children.
Founder (Val) Bio
Val Thomas-Matson, the creator and executive producer of Look, Listen and Learn TV, radiates over three decades of expertise in television and community advocacy. From her early days navigating the airwaves to her current role shaping educational programming, Val’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of representation.
Hailing from Seattle, Val holds a B.A. in Broadcast Communications and a Minor in Early Childhood Development from Western Washington University – launching her into the world of broadcasting with a start at King Broadcasting’s Classic King FM 98.1 radio, to launching a teens show at King TV and later Good Company, a morning show tackling pressing local issues.
But Val’s passion extended beyond the confines of the studio. For 15 years, she served as a community organizer in King County, working alongside neighborhood groups to address pressing concerns from drug and alcohol prevention to after-school programs. During her tenure at King County, she began producing and hosting Communities in Action, a monthly public affairs TV show that aired for three years on King County TV.
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As a child, she faced challenges in Seattle Public Schools. Like many, she found solace and inspiration in the colorful world of PBS programming. Shows like Sesame Street and The Electric Company helped her ignite a passion for creating content that empowers young minds and reflects the diversity of our world. She knows firsthand the impact of seeing characters and role models who resemble themselves on screen. Armed with this insight, she embarked on her journey with the mantra of “edutainment” – using joy, puppets, games, music, and silliness to foster learning and discovery.
Determined to make a difference in her own backyard, Val chose to plant her roots firmly in Seattle. With 5 seasons of Look, Listen and Learn under her belt, she aims to rewrite the narrative, ensuring that all children – regardless of race or background – have access to educational content that celebrates their identity and nurtures their dreams.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Val finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Whether it’s crafting cards and jewelry, diving into a good book, or hitting the curling rink, she embraces every moment with enthusiasm and grace. Alongside her husband, Scott, she calls Tukwila home, where they continue to inspire and uplift their community.
With her infectious energy and unwavering commitment to fostering a brighter future, Val ThomasMatson is not just writing her own story – she’s shaping the narratives of generations to come. Through Look, Listen and Learn, she’s proving that with a little bit of joy and a lot of determination, anything is possible.
Expert Instruction:
LL+L TV is your one-stop for 3 early learning fundamentals
1. LL+L TV Expert leaders:
The people on Look, Listen and Learn TV are community members, not actors.
Teachers, librarians, and community subject matter experts read, cook, and create each learning segment.
Every episode highlights local places and community organizations that families can visit, usually for free!) to extend learning beyond the screen through hands-on experiences.
Children see real kids, just like themselves, not actors. Kids who reflect the diversity of their communities interact with adults, elders, and teens. By showcasing authentic relationships rather than stereotypical portrayals, Look, Listen + Learn TV helps children see themselves, their neighbors, and their communities as valuable sources of learning and inspiration.
3. Research and Representation Matter:
The media play a role in kids' understanding of their race, ethnicity, identity, and gender. It shows them positive examples of future aspirations and builds their sense of self. Kweli TV, the Seattle Channel
According to Common Sense Media, 70% of parents say that diverse representation improves learning about family culture and inclusive lifestyles. For white children, diverse media is a window into what’s possible in all people.
Creating truly representative programming requires creators with lived experiences who can authentically portray diverse races, cultures, genders, and abilities. By featuring inclusive storytelling and providing complementary Learn & Grow activities for children ages 3–8, PBS KIDS and Look, Listen + Learn TV help foster curiosity, belonging, and early learning in ways that benefit all children.
2. 3 LL+L TV Proven School Success Results:
The first 5 years set the stage for fostering learning and curiosity. We demonstrate the
fundamentals of early learning engagement through everyday adults reading to kids.
When adults read with children, they invite them to look, listen, and learn about language, storytelling, and the diverse cultures and experiences reflected in books. Interactive reading—using expressive voices, funny faces, and animated storytelling—helps children recognize and understand a wide range of emotions while strengthening the emotional bonds they share with caring adults.
These shared reading experiences also support critical early learning skills by expanding vocabulary, building pre-literacy skills that prepare children to read independently, improving listening comprehension, and fostering a lifelong love of learning.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Proven results – data findings to key points:
90% of a child’s brain develops by age 5. At birth, the average baby’s brain is about a quarter of the size of the average adult brain. It doubles in size in the first year and continues to grow to about 80% of adult size by age 3 and 90% – nearly full-grown – by age 5. – National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD
LL+L TV is anchored in brain development research and early learning child development. Each episode of LL+L TV is grounded in early learning educational standards {needed} for school success.
Children consume 3-8 hours of media daily; therefore, it is helpful to see “media” as a tool. Like many tools, it can cause damage. But when it is used properly, it can produce wonderful outcomes that educate and inspire. – The Elephant in the Living Room, by Drs. Dimitri Christakis and Frederick Zimmerman
LL+L TV features a global majority cast of children, teachers, and leaders for everyone to see. The program features culturally relevant storytelling, fundamental social-emotional modeling, along with reading, math, creativity, and critical messages of joy.
KIDS content fosters critical academic and life skills. Notably, a review of 45 studies involving nearly 25,000 children aged 2–8 confirmed that PBS KIDS resources significantly improved early literacy skills, including vocabulary and phonemic awareness.
LL+L TV airs on KCTB/PBS Kids, which is world-renowned for early learning media.
LL+L TV received International Telly Awards for its 5 seasons, as well as local Emmy nominations and an Award. The program is a global-majority educational delight that invites early learners to look at the world around them, listen to the wisdom in our cultural stories, and learn to be the best they can be.
Watch Look, Listen and Learn TV on KweliTV, The Seattle Channel, and YouTube
