ACE News
ACE Empowers Parents through Play and Learn Program
January 2011
Did you know that the majority of the more than 5,000 preK students in AISD have not attended any early childhood education program prior to starting school? And are likely to arrive at school already 12–18 months behind their more economically advantaged peers in measures of school readiness? ACE's Play and Learn program helps low-income parents of children ages 30 months to four years gain skills and confidence to support learning at home so their children will be ready for school. Play and Learn is a ten-week program that meets for three hours a week. Parents attend a class taught by ACE staff and tutors while their children experience "a taste of preschool" in an early childhood classroom. The class ends with parents and children coming together to practice the games and activities they've learned that day.
The Play and Learn program is based on these three premises:
- Every moment is a teachable moment.
- The environment is our classroom.
- Learning is fun!
Parents who participated in our Fall 2010 class at Cristo Rey Church reported growth in their children's vocabulary, interest in books, recognition of numbers and letters, and ability to attend to games and activities for a longer time.
As one mom put it:
I see amazing changes in my child and for my family. My son is three, and at first he cried when I took him to his class, but soon he was asking me, 'Is today my school?' and running to join his teachers and friends. Now he sings the songs and plays with his books and games every day. And most surprising... my husband now plays with him and reads to him every night! He used to say that was my job. I thank ACE and Play and Learn for helping my family to understand what we can do for my son at home!