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THE STATE
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY
OF THE STATE OF |
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TO: |
Cultural Education Committee |
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FROM: |
Christine W. Ward |
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SUBJECT: |
Public Television, Public Libraries, and Early
Literacy |
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DATE: |
February 27, 2007 |
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STRATEGIC
GOAL: |
4 |
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AUTHORIZATION(S): |
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SUMMARY
Issue for
Information
The Regents will hear presentations by Public Library and Public Television professionals on the various services they provide to parents and caregivers to encourage emergent and early literacy and other school readiness skills in their children from birth to age 5.
Background
Information
Of all the USNY institutions, public libraries and public television have the greatest access to families with children who are not yet school age. Both libraries and public television have staff who are trained to teach adults how to interact with the youngest children in ways that encourage school readiness. Reading aloud, watching appropriate television programs together with the children, playing alphabet games, singing, making up stories, reciting poetry, and other activities all help children develop the physical, cognitive, and social skills they need to be successful in pre-school and kindergarten. Research shows that using certain public television programs systematically with young children can significantly improve early literacy skills and help the children develop important self-sufficiency and social skills.
OCE’s offices of Library Development and Educational Television & Public Broadcasting work with their constituent institutions to focus efforts on early childhood, recognizing their responsibility to help children get a good start. Libraries and public television are important partners in Action 1 of the P-16 Strategy: Increase literacy of children and parents by expanding proven programs in libraries, museums, public broadcasting. Set targets and advocate for resources.