The Early Learning Alliance Network Receives Funding From PNC Foundation to Help Early Childhood Educators Develop Skills to Integrate STEM/STEAM Learning for Young Children
FISHERS, Ind., January 15, 2020 (Newswire.com) - The Early Learning Alliance Network (ELAN) today released details about upcoming educational opportunities for early learning professionals focused on enhancing STEM/STEAM learning for young children. The PNC Foundation provided funding to empower educators and professionals with educational resources that will help them better integrate critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration through play-based and experiential learning for preschoolers. “Feedback from local programs indicates a need to develop understanding of how to nurture curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking through materials, environments, and learning experiences for young children," said Jillian Walker, board president of ELAN.
The professional development will include resources to learn about project work, place-based learning, interactive play, pre-coding skills, and more. PNC Foundation is providing the funding in support of PNC Grow Up Great®, its bilingual, $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
Early childhood professionals must understand how play, curiosity, and problem-solving fully support academic readiness and assist in the overall development of children in their academic, gross motor, fine motor, social emotional and executive functioning tenants. By leveraging STEM/STEAM frameworks in early learning, we can provide unique entry points for young children to explore, engage, inquire, and experience natural curiosity in action.
Dr. Jody Britten, Founder, Early Learning Alliance Network
“We recognize the role we play in helping ensure that all children have the opportunity to acquire and strengthen the skills they need to succeed,” said Connie Bond Stuart, PNC regional president for Central and Southern Indiana. “It is crucial that we help provide continuing education for our preschool educators so they have the resources needed to focus on advancing early cognitive and social development.”
Engaging educators and expanding learning opportunities that go beyond standard compliance for early childhood care is central to the work of the ELAN.
"Early childhood professionals must understand how play, curiosity, and problem-solving fully support academic readiness and assist in overall development of children. By leveraging STEM/STEAM frameworks in early learning, we can provide unique entry points for young children to explore, engage, inquire, and experience natural curiosity in action," said Dr. Jody Britten, founder of ELAN. That is why ELAN is working to have test materials on-site to support hands-on inquiries by participants. Speakers from the event will be live-streamed to a global audience and materials will be made available on the group’s website.
About PNC Foundation: The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual, $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
About the Early Learning Alliance Network: The Early Learning Alliance Network empowers innovation throughout the greater Hamilton County, Indiana area. Focus areas include data to inform planning, policy, and practice; empowerment; supporting K12 transitions; and inspiring innovations for young children.
Source: Early Learning Alliance Network
