WHY IS DIVERSITY IMPORTANT IN THE EARLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

How do diversity experiences affect the process of learning? Students who interact in a diverse social environment will be more motivated and better able to participate in a heterogeneous and complex society. Diversity is a key component in the 21st century education model.

When should this process begin, you ask? Well, the earlier our children are given the privilege to interact in a diverse environment, the better. The process of stereotyping groups of people can begin at a very early age. Being offered the advantage of participating in an environment that is rich with diversity allows young children to build relationships and develop some understanding about how other individuals experience life.

What skills will our young children need in 20, 30 or 40? They will almost certainly need to possess the ability to interact with a diverse population. Isn’t it to their advantage to start at the earliest possible age?

Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusioin Director

The Little Engine That Could!

We will be wrapping up our Summer Therapy Camp this Tuesday with a party to celebrate everything that we have learned and accomplished throughout the month of July.

Last week we took a trip to Dan Nicholas Park to ride the Train and to see the animals! We had LOTS of fun!

Riding the train at Dan Nicholas

There were a lot of FIRSTS for many of the children:

First ride on the School Bus

- ride a school bus

"I think I can. I think I can."

- ride a train

'Round and 'Round we go

- ride animals on the carousel

Bald Eagles

- see animals, including bears, bald eagles, and foxes


Children were able to learn about trains and what it is actually like to ride a miniature train!

Having Fun on the train ride!!

Thank you to all of the children, parents, and therapists who have been a part of this summer's camp!

Katherine Zink, ITFS/P

Zoo Phonics learning happens daily at Partners In Learning through fun games, music and various activities. Zoo phonics fosters future reading, spelling and writing skills for even toddlers!! The children use their eyes, ears, mouth and body as they learn phonemic (sound) awareness.

Mrs. Jennifer is playing zoo phonics bingo with a group of children in the Dolphins Pre-K Class.

 

Do you have the letter "a", /a/ (as in apple), Allie Alligator?

 

"Since many Kindergarten learning envirnorments in the Rowan County area already use Zoo Phonics, my child was familiar with her letter sounds and blends when she entered Kindergarten. Thanks to Partners In Learning, she was exposed to pre-reading skills and this provided a smooth transition for her. -Debra and Phillip, Former PIL parents

"As a teacher who did not learn phonological sound as a child in my early childhood setting, seeing my students now, learn phonics along with learning vows and capitalization, this is all possible through the strategies of Zoo Phonics." -Kelly Kirk, PIL Pre-K Teacher

 

 

 

Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

 

Early Literacy Learning

Early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child's earliest experiences with books and stories. The interactions that young children have with such literacy materials as books, paper, and crayons, and with the adults in their lives are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development.

It is never to early to start cultivating a love for books!

These toddlers spent 5 minutes babbling to one another, pointing at pictures and turning pages.

Next, this little fella decided he would look at a book on his own. It is upside down but notice he is pointing to the words on the page "reading".

Deborah K. Howell, M.Ed., Assistant Director

WE’RE WALKING TO CALIFORNIA

Our quest continues as we attempt to reach California.  Can we do it?

One of this summer’s wellness activities at Partners In Learning is a “virtual” walk across the United States from Salisbury to California.  It is a combined effort with everyone, including parents, teachers and children, contributing miles they have walked, swam or cycled.  We recently past Nashville and we are now making our way to the Mississippi River.  Please join us, because we desperately need your help.   Those of you who are not local are welcome to contribute to our effort.   Simply email us your miles walked and include a photo showing you walking the dog, swimming or whatever.  We’ll post your photo on our “wall of fame”.

Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion