What is the project?
Young Explorer Computers Help Preschoolers Learn
Every weekday in St. James, Minn., Deb Schmitz and her colleagues welcome children to classrooms that are ready for exploration. Rich, simple experiences entice one- to five-year-olds during the program’s “free choice” play time. The teachers change most activities every two weeks to keep things fresh, but one favorite activity stays the same.
The KidSmart computer in Deb’s classroom provides exploration that she calls “wonderful” and “especially great for kids who don’t learn with paper and pencil.” Next door in Room 2, students and parents who participate in District 840’s family literacy program use a KidSmart computer, too.
The computers extend what’s being taught in the classroom, Ms. Schmitz says. They provide an additional way to learn, one that’s highly visual and has the potential to “make the light bulb go on” in a child’s mind. This particular computer, she adds, “is so cool” because it’s a complete learning center designed with children in mind. There is no worry about whether it’s safe or appropriate.
IBM designed the KidSmart computers in cooperation with Little Tikes and Riverdeep – The Learning Company. They are complete play stations, equipped with software that introduces little ones to math, science and literacy concepts. Teachers and parents find suggestions for classroom integration and conversation at www.kidsmartearlylearning.org.
To acquire the computers Ms. Schmitz spent one half-hour filling out an application that she submitted to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. The Foundation distributes the computers and provides teacher training through its Young Explorer Learning Program, in cooperation with IBM. “IBM respects The Foundation’s investments on behalf of young children and values the partnership,” says Valerie Halverson Pace, IBM’s Central Region Manager, Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs. “They do an excellent job of selecting recipients, providing training and evaluating the program.” The Initiative Foundation distributed 30 computers to early childhood programs in its region in 2006; 36 in 2007.