Museums and Libraries Partnership for Parent, Family and Community Engagement
Race to the TopEarly Learning Challenge Grant
June 12, 2012
Early Learning Challenge Grant, From Birth to School Readiness: Massachusetts Early Learning Plan, 2012-2015, EEC articulated its vision for strengthening the basic foundation of our early learning system by increasing capacity and support from other agencies and private sector partners in the community.
Over the next four years, EEC will invest up to $600,000 to implement a statewide strategy that provides a shared framework and set of resources that will bolster the capacity of museums and libraries, in partnership with EEC’s CFCE grantees, to support the optimal development of all children, especially those with high needs, and support families in their essential work as their child’s first teacher.
Background : Museums and Libraries
In alignment with all of EEC’s work with families, this initiative will incorporate the Strengthening Families framework and approach, which has widespread support from social science researchers, early childhood practitioners and policy experts.
Through this collaboration, EEC will strengthen existing relationships and further integrate an evidence-based framework for early childhood programming and family engagement into Massachusetts children’s museums and libraries.
These collaborations will extend the reach of EEC initiatives, such as the Brain Building in Progress public awareness campaign.
Background : Museums and Libraries
Four Areas of Focus
Early Literacy
School Readiness (preparation for Kindergarten)
STEM
Brain Building in Progress
Countdown to Kindergarten 2011
Brain Building in Progress!
Launched on May 4, 2012Commissioner KillinsEEC StaffChildren’s MuseumsMassachusetts Board of Library CommissionersCoordinated Community & Family Engagement SpecialistsEarly Childhood Resource CentersEarly childhood consultantsBoston Public SchoolsBCM staff
Getting to Know You!
Tell us: …about your family engagement programs and
how you think this project could change the world…
“Young children have incredible intelligence. We just need to watch!” Eric Carle Museum, Northampton, MA
“Holyoke is one of the poorest cities in the state and has the highest drop out rate. We are working to engage children in early years – for gang prevention and an educational space to play.” Holyoke Children’s Museum, Holyoke MA
“Do not be an island.” Fred Rogers: Play is the work of young children. “Training our staff on fundamentals of play might help change the world.” Amelia Park Children’s Center, Amherst, MA
Shelly Quezada, Consultant for the Underserved MA Board of Library Commissioners
Kim Dewall, ECRC Coordinator
Falmouth Public Library
Karin Rubin, Director
Amelia ParkChildren’s MuseumWestfield, MA
Next Steps
June/July – FAQs, formal survey, meet with reps, create directory
August – Countdown to Kindergarten celebrations and train-the-trainers for Kindergarten readiness, library strategy developed
September – Road trip to assess community involvement by Museums, library strategy launched, STEM training
October/December – Connect!
Issue and Proposed Resolution.
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