Field Museum exhibits come to South Side Preschool
'Night at the Museum’ event at Educare of Chicago builds literacy skillsDecember 17, 2009
What
The Field Museum will come to Educare of Chicago, a model preschool on the South Side, on Dec. 17 to teach children about animals while building their language skills.
The "Night at the Museum" event, presented in partnership with the Field Museum’s Harris Educational Loan Program, is part of the Educare program’s emphasis on literacy as a way to narrow the academic achievement gap.
As the children learn about woodland creatures, sea animals, birds and insects, they will be increasing their vocabulary skills—a key component of school readiness.
"A three-year-old in a low-income family knows half as many words as a child in a high-income household," said Diana Rauner, executive director of the Ounce of Prevention Fund, an early childhood organization that operates Educare. "Educare aims to narrow that gap by providing our children and their parents with fun activities that build literacy skills in the whole family. Children who arrive at kindergarten with strong language skills are more likely to succeed throughout their school years."
The event is reserved for Educare children and their families.
Educare of Chicago serves 150 children from birth to age five and has become a national model for narrowing the academic achievement gap for low-income children. Educare will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2010.
When
Thursday, December 17
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Where
Educare of Chicago
5044 South Wabash, Chicago
Ounce of Prevention Fund
The Ounce of Prevention Fund gives children in poverty the best chance for success in school and in life by advocating for and providing the highest quality care and education from birth to age five. The Ounce advocates for programs and policies that benefit young children and families; provides training to early childhood professionals in Illinois; and engages in rigorous research and evaluation projects that contribute to best practices throughout the early childhood field.