ODD SQUAD is the new PBS Kids TV Show that has kids and families laughing and learning. ODD SQUAD debuted late last year and has quickly become a favorite of elementary school kids. In each episode, the young agents use math to put things right when oddness strikes. Olive and Otto solve cases ranging from disappearing zeroes to runaway dinosaurs, and the agents often find additional clues in the “Mathroom,” a futuristic space that is just a teleport away.
Introducing and having fun with math is a huge focus in our house right now. Our oldest son is having trouble with math, and will melt down at just the mention of the word math. Our youngest son is totally obsessed with all things math and is constantly counting and grouping and trying to figure math out. ODD SQUAD has come to the rescue. Both kids love the silly stories and get totally engaged in trying to help the ODD SQUAD solve the problem at hand. It is really great for my older son because he can follow the story, and see and hear how it is being worked out using creative skills, which he is stronger with. The agents sometimes make mistakes and sometimes count on their fingers. I always see him smile when they do this because it reinforces that it is ok to use your tools and just to try.
We were invited to a screening of the show at Kidspace Museum last week. The boys couldn't believe their eyes when we walked right into Agent Olive and Agent Otto (aka Dalila Bela and Felip Geljo). The actors could not have been any sweeter. They took time to talk one on one with each kid, they asked them questions, signed autographs, took photos and even helped with an ODD SQUAD activity workbook. My boys were totally star struck and said it was "the best night ever". 
Kids are honest and sometimes attending a screening with young kids and the show's creators, actors and producers all in the same room can be "interesting" or uncomfortable, but not tonight. The episode we watched was great. There were genuine belly laughs from the kids and adults in the audience. The kids were so invested in the show and storyline that they were coming up with ideas and "helping" the characters on screen, shouting out answers and ways to solve the problems. There was even some dancing and ODD SQUAD "moves" being reenacted . 
ODD SQUAD is one of the few shows that I feel really comfortable letting the kids watch. Not only does it help build math and problem solving skills but it shows kids working together in a fun way. The team isn't afraid to make mistakes or ask questions. They look at the problems in interesting and different ways using different tools and learning styles to come up with solutions. My kids want to be ODD SQUAD agents now, which is a huge change from ninjas. I hear them asking each other questions and working together as a team. They also love playing the games on the PBS Kids website, (which they don't seem to realize are math games).
To learn more about the show visit PBS Kids online.
