As you walk into any Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) class in District 742, children and parents are engaging in numerous activities. It’s no different in the Art, Science and Music Sampler class for 3 and 4-year-olds.
There is a small hum in the room, but not the kind of hum that says there are a lot of kids running and squealing. Instead, it is the kind of hum that is calm, light-hearted and academically interactive.
Different stations are set in the room for different interests. A station for pretend cooking and eating, playing with and caring
for dolls, arts and crafts, playdough for sculpting and creating, a library, a playhouse, and musical instruments are just a few of the plentiful ways parents can participate with their children.
ECFE is a program focused on providing opportunities to quality learning and resources for parents, grandparents or guardians and their children starting at birth.
Within the Art, Science and Music Sampler class, there is playtime, circle time, snack time and separation time.
Playtime is the open time for parents to interact with their children. Children can start to build on important social skills with the help and guidance of their parents and teachers.
Circle time involves children, parents and teachers. Everyone sits together in a circle, introducing themselves with song, singing ABC’s, and learning rhythm and direction with tapping sticks. Movement is also important. Everyone waves scarves while singing songs.
Sarah Tornow has been attending ECFE classes for five years, first with her son in one of the birth to 6-months-old classes and now with her daughter, Ida.
“I loved it [birth to 6-month-old class]! I fell in love with ECFE right away,” says Tornow. “I loved the one-on-one time. Without a doubt, it [ECFE classes) has helped my son acclimate to preschool and kindergarten in a positive way. He’s learned lots of good habits and has shown them at home, too.”
Tornow can name all her favorite teachers she’s had with her children through the years, but what stands out in her mind is what she’s learned and not just what her children have learned.
“I’ve learned so much with parenting skills. I felt welcomed in this community, and the opportunity to meet other parents and for my kids to meet other kids, has been great,” states Tornow.
Maha Alaczwi agrees with Tornow.
Alaczwi has been attending ECFE classes for three years. New to country, three years ago from Iraq, Alaczwi attended District 742’s Adult Basic Education classes to start learning English. Then, she enrolled in the ECFE classes immediately with her infant daughter.
ECFE has made the transition easier for Alaczwi. She has made several friends with other moms. In addition, she feels as though she has acquired many new parenting skills and has been provided an abundance of resources.
“I always ask them a lot of questions. They [teachers and other parents] just want to help. It is very good for parent education-something you don’t always think about,” explains Alaczwi.
That is why separation time is crucial. Separation time coincides with snack time. While the children are gathered to sit and snack, parents are brought to another room to gather, discuss issues or concerns they are experiencing, ask for help, guidance or just a chance to “let it out.” Examples of the most popular topics: potty-training, bedtime, sleep and eating habits.
Separation time also allows the children to start socializing on their own without their parents. The time spent away from parents starts small at the beginning of the class sessions and gradually increases weekly to allow the children to get more comfortable being away from their parents.
Alaczwi has seen a change in her daughter, Kanar.
“Kanar learns a lot,” says Alaczwi. “She is more outgoing, speaks with other kids. She doesn’t do that much outside of class. She especially loves story time. When she is here at class, the teacher picks out one point of the story [to talk about]. It’s easier for her to learn that way…The one-on-one time helps provide rules and structure.”
Kerry Youso, an early childhood teacher who has been with the District for 20 years, explains, “Through it all, we always keep an undercurrent of parent-child relationship to develop that foundation that will carry them through to adulthood.”
As the class wraps up, the kids that have attended other classes like Ailsa Inkster, know the routine.
“Clean-up, clean-up. Everybody clean-up,” sings Inkster, as she begins to pick-up toys and put them away.
Tornow advises to anyone thinking about the classes, “Don’t hesitate and sign-up. The benefits outweigh any type of hesitation. The parent-teacher part is so crucial. With this generation, there is so much we don’t understand. It is a wonderful opportunity for other kids to play. They may not get that at home.”
