Project funded by Silicon Valley Community Foundation & Preschool For All San Mateo County
ECLDI Goal: To create linguistically and culturally responsive early childhood settings by respecting and actively supporting home language and culture while children are learning English, in order to impact their academic success.
The Early Childhood Language Development Institute (ECLDI), a project of San Mateo County Office of Education’s Instructional Services Division, enthusiastically expands the Division’s working initiative to “Raise achievement levels of children who are English Learners, children of color, and children who are of low income families.”
The Institute was established in 2003 as a response to preschool teachers and parents looking for best practices in supporting the language and literacy skills of bilingual preschool children
ECLDI services include two series of trainings that support preschool teachers and parents in gaining a deeper understanding of the influence of children’s home languages and cultures on the quality of their learning experiences, and ultimately their future academic success. Through its unique approach of supporting a strong literacy base in both English AND the children’s home languages, ECLDI establishes the foundation that addresses the academic achievement gap for many English Language Learners in K-12. Furthermore, preschool teachers and parents learn about research-based strategies that enhance children’s sense of identity and self-esteem; factors evidenced through research to influence the quality of children’s learning experiences and therefore their future academic success. The Institute trainings, which are available in English and Spanish, are hands-on and include practical strategies that can be implemented at school and at home to support young bilingual preschoolers in their language and literacy development.
Workshops Available for the Early Childhood Care and Education Community in San Mateo County - (each workshop is 3 hours long):
- Exploring Our Own Culture (Module 1) – this workshop assists participants in uncovering their own culture in an effort to become culturally responsive in their interactions with the diverse children and families in early childhood settings. The participants will become aware of their values and beliefs related to language and literacy development and, therefore, their impact on their work with children and families. Participants will also explore the concept of the “whole child” to understand language development in a socio-cultural context.
- Exploring Strategies For Supporting Children’s Home Language And Culture (Module 2) – this workshop provides information about research findings and advantages of bilingualism, myths and truths associated with second language acquisition, and strategies for supporting children’s home language and culture while they are learning English. The participants will develop a foundation for understanding and supporting the experiences of bilingual children and families in their programs.
- Exploring Strategies For Supporting Children’s Second Language Acquisition (Module 3) – this workshop provides information on the different paths children take to become bilingual and the stages involved in acquiring a new language. It also addresses the factors that intervene in the process of acquiring a second language and how teachers can provide a linguistically and culturally responsive environment for second language learners.
- Developing Partnerships Between Teachers And Families (Module 3) – for children to grow into adults who are proud of their culture and heritage, teachers and parents must agree on the principle of respecting and validating the home languages and cultures while children are learning a second language. Through this workshop, participants will explore strategies such as the use of families’ ‘funds of knowledge’ that will facilitate partnerships between parents and teachers in order to support children’s home languages and cultures while they are learning a new language.
Workshops Available for Families in San Mateo County - (each workshop is 2 hours long):
- One Child: Many Cultures (Module 1) – in this workshop, participants learn about the "whole child" philosophy and how culture influences various aspects of our lives. Parents will become aware of the crucial role they play in the development and support of their child's sense of identity and self-esteem as it relates to home language and culture, which will ultimately impact the quality of their child’s learning experiences and their academic success.
- Viewing Bilingualism As A Gift (Module 2) - in this workshop, participants will become aware of the value of being bilingual, ways of supporting bilingualism, and myths and truths associated with bilingualism. As well, parents will receive information on home activities for continuing to support their child’s home language and culture while s/he is learning English at school.
- Partnering With Teachers (Module 3) – in this workshop, participants will look at ways schools, teachers, and parents can support the home languages and cultures of the children while they are learning English. Parents will discover new strategies for establishing teacher-parent relationships that are based on mutual respect, equality and trust.
- Transition to Kindergarten (Module 4) – in this workshop, participants will learn about the options they have when the time comes to register their child for kindergarten. Parents will become knowledgeable about their rights and responsibilities in the public school system; they will also receive tips on how they can partner with the public schools to best support the success of their child in school.
These trainings may be hosted at the various early childhood programs throughout San Mateo County.
Contact Person
Soodie Ansari - Project Coordinator
Phone: (650) 802-5326
Fax: (650) 802-5622
E-mail: sansari@smcoe.k12.ca.us