ABSTRACT

Research shows that children that are prepared for kindergarten are more successful in life. This grant proposal would help Classroom of Discovery, a non-profit agency, to utilize Help Little Minds Grow! and support low-income families. The goal is to create a positive early childhood experience for students that will support school readiness. Teachers will be able to purchase a variety of books and story props to support language and early literacy skills that will prepare students for kindergarten. Reading books aloud to students stimulates their imaginations and provides a better understanding of the world when reading a variety of diverse prints. The new books will be used for large and small group activities, individual instruction, expanding the classroom library, and being able to create a lending library. The proposal will allow children who do not have access to many books in their homes to choose books based on their interests from the school’s take home library, thus supporting language exposure outside of the classroom and building family partnerships. Teaching staff will complete observations and keep record of strengths and needs of individual students at Classroom of Discovery. Teachers will also plan learning activities to support growth towards kindergarten readiness using materials provided from Help Little Minds Grow!