Planning for United Way Early Learning Clubs begins
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com January 16, 2012 11:26AM
United Way of Lake County hosted the Early Learning Club for parents and children at the Waukegan Public Library. | Special to Sun-Times Media
For more info
For more information about United Way of Lake County’s Early Learning Clubs, call (847) 775-1057 or visit the Web site, www.uwlakeco.org
Article Extras
Updated: February 20, 2012 8:39AM
Plans are under way for United Way of Lake County’s Early Learning Clubs, which seek to prepare children ages 3 to 5 for kindergarten, according to Meredith Egan, Success by Six program manager.
“This year’s goal is 975 (children) in 2012,” Egan said, noting United Way is in the process of coordinating spring ELC sessions.
About 2,800 children have participated in ELC since its inception in 2006, Egan said. United Way of Lake County provides free instruction materials in both Spanish and English. They teach people from the community how to hold ELC sessions in places such as churches and schools.
“The focus is instructing parents and encouraging them to be their children’s first teachers, how to use every day moments as teaching opportunities,” Egan said.
ELC was developed after United Way did a kindergarten readiness assessment. Waukegan, North Chicago, Round Lake and Zion were targeted as areas of high need, Egan said. The readiness assessment evaluated incoming kindergartners’ ability to recognize primary colors, shapes, letters and social interaction.
Early Learning Clubs were developed with a focus on grassroot efforts, Egan said.
“We like the community to provide volunteers. We train volunteers and they go back and teach attendees,” Egan said.
It is a free resource open to all of Lake County, she said. So far, about 30 sites in Round Lake, North Chicago and Waukegan have participated, Egan said.
Isabel Castrejon of Waukegan was a teacher at an ELC session last year.
“It’s a great program to help parents and to encourage kids to read. I loved it. I wish we had that before when my kids were little,” Castrejon said.
She expressed a willingness to teach future sessions.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment