Mary Ann Dudko

Mary Ann Dudko (born September 23, 1950) is an internationally recognized expert in developing age appropriate content for children’s media, including television, books and product.  She was the Vice President of Content Development at HIT Entertainment from 1997 until 2007.  She and her team provided consultation, support, and research services for Barney & Friends, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, and Angelina Ballerina, as well as all other properties produced by HIT Entertainment.

Biography

Barney & Friends

Dr. Dudko developed the educational philosophy for Barney and wrote the curriculum for the series.  She was responsible for assuring that projects and products were age appropriate for the intended audience.  She also designed, oversaw and executed qualitative research for current and developing properties (focus groups, ethnographic studies). Dr. Dudko authored or co-authored more than 30 books for Barney Publishing.  She is an internationally recognized speaker and festival juror and has in-depth country experience in South Korea and the UK.

Personal Life

Dr. Dudko earned her doctorate in early childhood education and child development from Texas Woman’s University.  She has taught preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and graduate level courses over the past 35 years.  Dr. Dudko is a frequent presenter at local, state, national and international organizations for early childhood educators and media professionals.  She has served as a juror for international children’s television festivals in Cairo and Bratislava.  She is the mother of one daughter and two sons, and has two grandsons. She resides in the Dallas, Texas area.