Image/Caption: Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Volunteer, Erika Bauserman St. Augustine creates videos to connect with preschool children. She is standing in front of the Lighthouse in St. Augustine, Fla. #ELCsTakeAction #Covid19UnsungHeroes
Photo Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/lighthouse_erika.jpeg
ELC of North Florida Volunteers Making a Creative Impact
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., April 14, 2020 – Since preschool and child care centers are following CDC safety recommendations, volunteers are no longer admitted in local preschools for reading time. However, Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) literacy volunteers are finding creative ways to still stay in touch with the children they have been reading to all year.
One of the creative ways volunteers are still giving back is through the use of digital communication, shared with the preschools. For instance, Volunteer Margo Locke who reads weekly at “A Fun Place to Be” in Northern St. Augustine is reading to children through Facebook videos. The teachers say it is reassuring for the children to see familiar faces like their reading volunteer and to keep to their normal routines as much as possible.
ELC volunteer Erika Bauserman of St. Augustine, who reads at Brighton Day Academy is now making videos to share with the children. Her first video is called “Where in St. Augustine Am I?” Bauserman traveled around St. Augustine and took pictures of local landmarks giving short facts about each one. Her latest video is called “Compound Words Around Town.” She filmed items that are compound words like, butterfly, flowerpot, motorcycle and woodpecker.
“The children love the videos and keep asking for more,” said Miss Donna, Brighton’s three and four-year old teacher.
“I miss seeing my kids so much and I want to stay in touch while at the same time teaching them something,” said Bauserman.
Bauserman’s videos can be viewed at the ELC’s North Florida YouTube playlists page where their early education videos are featured. https://www.youtube.com/user/ELCPSJ/playlists
It is challenging right now for child care centers and preschools to stay open (See state of child care article: https://elcnorthflorida.org/news-release-florida-governor-deems-child-care-as-an-essential-business-state-of-child-care-services-in-north-florida-during-the-coronavirus/) but it is necessary because they are serving the children of our essential workers and first responders.
The North Florida coalition is so proud of it’s many volunteers who give of their time so freely to help our youngest citizens according to Literacy Outreach Manager Joan Whitson.
For more information about volunteering with the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida contact Early Literacy Outreach Manager Joan Whitson at: [email protected]. The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida’s website and facebook page has up-to-date resources for providers and parents in addition to their child care services, school readiness services and VPK programs. Please visit online at www.elcnorthflorida.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elcnorthflorida.
www.elcnorthflorida.org #ELCsTakeAction #Covid19UnsungHeroes
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