May 2, 2013
 

  Ready to Learn Providence


 

Places to Play in RI to be released at McCoy Stadium in June

 

Co-facilitator Sue Sevegny

When you want to learn more about a subject, you should turn to the experts. 

 

On June 2, at an afternoon PawSox game at McCoy Stadium, we'll be distributing Places to Play in Rhode Island, a guidebook written and illustrated by the true experts in the field of play - young children.  

 

Co-facilitator Bethany Carpenter

This book is the culmination of a seven-session course we offered this spring for preschool providers. In class and during the two visits facilitators made to their settings, these educators have discussed techniques that encourage children to contribute their unique perspectives and to use feedback from peers to refine their thoughts and drawings.

 

Consultant Ben Mardell

In 2011 we conducted a similar program that culminated in Places to Play in Providence. The newest book covers favorite places across the entire state. At the heart of these projects is the belief that children should be viewed as citizens - not future citizens - and that their learning should be visible in the community.

 

Enjoy a day at the ballpark and help us applaud these young authors on June 2. The gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the game gets under way at 1:05 p.m. 

 

See more pictures of the educators and facilitators participating in this project. Learn more about the Places to Play initiative. 

 

 

Compensation: 'One of our greatest challenges'

 

"I stand with all of you advocating for our state's most vulnerable children, and at the same time advocating for the dedicated and talented people who have a responsibility to care for and educate them," said R2LP Director Leslie Gell at the annual RI Kids Count Breakfast on April 8.

 

Leslie was one of two members from the community to receive special recognition at the breakfast, which was attended by nearly 500 people, including all of our state officials. 

 

"There is a serious mismatch between our expectations of the average early childhood educator and compensation," Leslie noted. "A report issued last year by the Government Accountability Office documents that over 60 percent of full-time early childhood workers earned less than $22,000 in 2009. That's the federal poverty line for a family of four.

 

"Digging deeper, the report found that family child-care providers averaged $11,500, while preschool teachers outside of public school classrooms earned $18,000 on average. This is one of our greatest challenges."

 

Read more 

 

We're accepting applications now

 

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® RI, a project of Ready to Learn, is accepting applications now for the summer and fall terms. It's a great opportunity if you're an early-care provider or administrator needing coursework in early childhood education or seeking a degree. Click here for details.

 

In This Issue
Leslie Gell addresses the challenge of compensation at the RI Kids Count Breakfast
T.E.A.C.H. RI is accepting applications
Our AC members help heighten child-care awareness at the Statehouse
Photos capture awe and wonder at the Providence Children's Museum
 

At the Statehouse

April 11 was  Child Care Awareness Day at the Statehouse, organized by State Rep. Grace Diaz (shown above, far left, with three of our AmeriCorps members).  

 

Many of our AmeriCorps members were there to help show our support for early care and education, organize activities for children, and staff a table for Ready to Learn.

 

 

Click here to see more pictures from the event. 

 

 


At the Children's Museum

In April the kids in our Pre-Kindergarten Classroom enjoyed the many exhibits at the always intriguing Providence Children's Museum.

 

 

Click here to see more pictures from the trip.

 

 


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