WEIU TEACHES PRESCHOOL CHILDREN MATH AND READING SKILLS

WEIU TV, public broadcaster for Charleston, Illinois, was awarded a Ready To Learn grant to develop the brand new 123 & ABC:  Math & Reading Are Fun For Me! project. The aim of 123 & ABC is to use transmedia to teach preschool children math and reading skills in preparation for school. The program will run from November 5, 2012 through May 3, 2013.

WEIU TV, a University licensee, has formed a partnership with Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) to develop a Community Impact Team. They will strive to expand and collaborate with other University departments such as the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science as well as Early Childhood and Education. As a collective impact team, the overarching goal is to improve learning outcomes for preschool children. In addition, they will educate caregivers, providers and parents on how to bridge the technology gap for school readiness. The synergy and commitment of developing a strong foundation of math and literacy concepts for early learning will make a difference in a child’s life.

Children are technology natives and when adults in their lives utilize multiple media platforms, a child’s learning will become more successful. That is why the CCR&R Literacy Specialist will leverage the power of the iPad to engage children through media, digital content, interactive games and apps. By doing so, children can advance to higher levels and build upon what they are learning about math and literacy. Also a Kindle Fire, a personalized tablet, will be used during on sight literacy visits to excite caregivers and providers. This use of innovative digital content will provide them with a new way of helping children experience literacy and math.

Furthermore, WEIU plans to use Ready To Learn-funded PBS KIDS Content, such as the Virtual Pre-K Math Kits, which will be used to interact with preschool children to develop early math concepts. After consulting the anticipated impact numbers of 123 & ABC, we noticed that the expectations of this project are high. The impact is estimated to reach 1400 parents, 110 caregivers/providers and 800 children. WEIU also has a plan to evaluate this project. They are planning on working with the Center for Academic Technology Support (CATS) through Eastern Illinois University to develop an online evaluation survey where caregivers/providers/parents can submit answers, testimonials, and document children’s enhanced learning skills.