Early Math And Language Initiative

IN SPRING 2023 EMLI CONTINUED OFFERING THE FLAGSHIP FAMILY MATH PROGRAM A MATH-CENTRIC KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM (KMRP) FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. BY ENGAGING YOUNG LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN "MATH-PLAY" DURING FAMILY MATH CLASSES, THE KMRP PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH POSITIVE, VITAL EARLY MATH EXPERIENCES THAT SET THE STAGE FOR LATER LEARNING. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO CAPTURE THE CHILD'S NATURAL CURIOSITY, ENCOURAGE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTIONS, AND FOSTER THE COMPETENCIES NECESSARY TO THRIVE IN A COMPETITIVE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT. STUDENTS AND ADULT FAMILY MEMBERS ARE INVITED INTO THE KMRP CLASSROOM TO WORK THROUGH SELECTED ACTIVITIES WITH THEIR CHILD GUIDED BY EMLI'S TEACHERS. IN AN INFORMAL, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT, PARENTS LEARN TO MODEL CRITICAL THINKING STRATEGIES, UTILIZE TARGETED MATHEMATICS TERMINOLOGY, AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH HOW TO BEST PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SUPPORTING THEIR CHILD'S EARLY MATH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. EMLI RECOGNIZES THAT CHILDREN LEARN BEST WHEN THEIR NATURAL CURIOSITY IS SUPPORTED AND EXPANDED UPON BY BOTH TEACHERS AND THE IMPORTANT ADULTS IN THE CHILD'S LIFE. THESE THREE FACTORS MAKE UP THE KEY COMPONENTS OF EMLI'S PROGRAMS: THE CHILD, THE FAMILY, AND THE TEACHER. EMLI PLACES THE FOSTERING OF POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ALL THREE AT THE CENTER OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES. IN FALL 2023 EMLI CONTINUED THE SAME PROGRAM FOR THE LEWISTON COMMUNITY. HOWEVER DUE TO LOW ATTENDANCE, WHICH FURTHER DECLINED AFTER THE OCTOBER 2023 LEWISTON TRAGEDY, EMLI TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED THE PROGRAM.