Jumpstart for a Day will take place in Quad I on the Frost Campus at Saint Louis University this Saturday April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In case of inclement weather the event will be held in the lower level commons area of Busch Memorial Center.
Jumpstart is a national non profit organization that encourages young people in service to work toward the day that every child in America enter schools prepared to succeed. Jumpstart recruits, trains and supports college students to serve as part-time AmeriCorps members, working directly with young children and their families to build skills crucial to school success.
The organization focuses on building school success for young children struggling at the preschool level.
The program aims to help by developing children’s early language, literacy and social skills. The program encourages strong family involvement to allow families to support children’s learning.
Another fundamental part of the program is that Jumpstart trains college students to be future teachers and leaders in early childhood education.
Students involved in the Jumpstart program earn a work-study stipend.
“In this time where St. Louis Public schools are focused in maintaining their accreditation, students at Saint Louis University are striving to work together as a team to assist in laying the foundation for children to be prepared to succeed in school,” said Program coordinator Mary Jones-King. “Jumpstart is an opportunity to provide a venue for our community to come together in a joint effort as we strive for excellence in education within a team approach.”
The Jumpstart program at SLU is currently involved with four schools in the St. Louis area: Dunbar School, Adams Elementary School, Caroline Mission, and Julian Goldstein Early Childhood Center in University City.
There are 44 students from SLU in the program. The program has four team leaders who focus on getting the teams and students together and leading them in a positive effective manner.
“At the site I see a lot of interactions between the preschoolers and us,” said Africa Cook, Jumpstart site leader.
“I really enjoy the program and have become attached to the children,” Cook said.
Jumpstart for a Day is a fun-filled learning opportunity to provide an environment where parents and children can participate in educational activities that families can utilize as resources for continuing the learning process at home.
Students will be working directly with the children and their families to help build skills that are crucial for school success in a fun and interactive way while simultaneously encouraging strong family involvement.
“Jumpstart encourages families to have an active involvement in a child’s education early on, as well as to gain ideas on how parents can help their preschooler in the learning process,” said Jones-King.
At different learning stations created by the students, children and their parents will make hats, macaroni necklaces, crows, bracelets, key chains, wind socks, photo frames and Play Dough. The parents are encouraged to participate in these activities with their children at home.
“The students have put a lot of their time and effort into this event and are excited and looking forward to it,” said Jones-King.
Students have created a puppet show along with skits as educational entertainment.
Other entertainment includes children’s music and a treasure hunt. There is also time for fun exercises and activities, which allow for more interaction time between the child’s parents and the college student working with his or her child at the site.
“Jumpstart is a wonderful program that is a win-win situation for both the child and college student,” said Jones-King.
“The college student comes away with a rewarding feeling of having helped a child in a positive manner. And the child benefits from having that one-on-one interaction,” Jones-King continued.
