On a par with peers
Suzie Harrison
Because of the Even Start program at Laguna Beach’s Boys and Girls
Club, local preschool-age children from low-income families are being
given a chance to start kindergarten at the same pace as their peers.
Even Start began in February of 2000 after Orange County’s Head
Start program in Laguna at El Morro had to close its doors because
there weren’t enough children and organizers said it wasn’t cost
effective to continue.
“It left low-income Laguna Beach families no place to go for
preschool,” Director Terry Anne Barman said.
Barman started working with the Boys and Girls Club’s Executive
Director Kim Maxwell and applied for city grants.
“I am just thrilled, glad that more children have the opportunity
for preschool,” Maxwell said.
There are 19 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled for the school year,
which runs concurrently with the district schools.
When the year began, Barman found that some children didn’t have
the necessary skills to enter kindergarten.
“To read a book -- some of these kids would think you’re from
planet Mars,” Barman said. “But we teach them to love books.”
She said it’s important that kids start to learn reading skills by
age 4, as well as counting, knowing colors, developing social skills
and learning how to share with others.
“They need these skills, and if they enter kindergarten with those
skills they’ll feel really good about themselves, tend to stay in
school, graduate and go to college,” Barman said.
The curriculum Even Start uses is called High Scope, the same as
Fresh Start uses.
“Were trying to develop that thinking process,” Barman said.
“Basically children are individual thinkers. The teachers support
this learning process and don’t dictate a learning process.”
The students have a schedule and divide it up in different areas
with a language and literature area, pre-math, computer area and
science -- where the children are encouraged to use their own
creative imagination.
“We try to speed up their learning process through toys,
encouragement and experiences -- anything that strengthens their
skills,” Barman said.
Using things like scissors, clay, Play Doh and glue helps
strengthen their fingers, which will facilitate writing.
In the art area, the kids are smiling, giggling and showing off
their creations made with Play Doh, using rolling pins and other
tools to shape their pieces.
“Look, I made an ice cream with this,” said Sabrina Sanchez, 4.
Learning how to play, share and relate to others is another school
goal.
“We try to encourage that typical teacher, student interaction,”
Barman said.
The school provides a nutritional breakfast and lunch each day.
The kids also have outside play time.
“They develop gross motor skills through running, cycling and
throwing balls,” Barman said.
In addition, the students have what they call free choice time,
when they participate in varied activities that help them gain
pre-academic skills, as well as activities that include songs and
musical chairs.
“In small group time -- a teacher has planned an art, math or
reading activity,” Barman said. “There’s more teacher control -- they
learn self-control, to pay attention and do cooperative activities.”
“I was worried about who would care about our pocket of poverty,”
Barman said. “You learn how important each kid is and how important
it is to help them.”
* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline
Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.
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