By Ann Fowler, Community Services Coordinator, Lewiston Adult Education
Bob the baboon is the mascot for the new Lewiston Even Start program. Bob is not simply a stuffed animal; he is a valuable teaching tool for families who participate in this program designed to give parents and children unique opportunities to learn together.
Every two to three weeks, Bob goes home with one of the Even Start families. During that week, parent and child do something together with Bob. They might go on a special outing or do something as simple as visit a relative or bake cookies. With the assistance of a parent, the child then draws a picture and writes a story about the activity with Bob. When Bob is returned to the program, family members share their experience with the other families. The drawing and written story then become part of a book all the families create together.
Parents are a child’s first and primary teachers. The Even Start approach to family learning promotes lifelong learning. Parents receive the support and encouragement they need to assume the important role of teacher. The eagerness children feel about bringing Bob home helps their written, oral, and symbolic communication skills increase while they are having fun. Bob is just one example of the unique enrichment opportunities provided through the program.
Even Start is a federally-funded program offered by Lewiston Adult Education in collaboration with Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care, Montello School, and other area human service agencies.
Corinna Williams and her son Alex Gerry participate in the Even Start program. Four-year-old Alex is enrolled in Head Start and preparing to begin school. Williams is studying for her GED. After Bob’s recent visit to their home, during which Bob and her son were inseparable, Williams was very enthusiastic about the positive effects Bob had on her son’s learning. “I let Bob do the computer with Alex,” Williams wrote. Alex’s interest in Bob led Williams and her son to read books together about baboons. As a result, Alex wants to know more about other animals. Williams and Alex now go to the library to find books about many different animals. “His curiosity for words has increased,” she says.
For more information about the Even Start program, call 753-0344.
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