(DURHAM, April 21, 2004)—Forty-seven early education professionals from community organizations around the Granite State attended the New Hampshire Public Television Ready To Learn 5th Annual Family Literacy Partner Meeting April 8 at the Broadcast Center in Durham. They came to learn about NHPTV and PBS children’s literacy resources, network with one another, and share their organization’s ideas and plans for encouraging children’s literacy development through families and child care providers.Pat VanWagoner, NHPTV’s Ready To Learn coordinator, provided updates on after-school programs, effective ways to use learning triangles (“watching, reading and doing”), and offered a new mini-workshop entitled “It’s Child’s Play: Playing Is Learning.” Participants also shared their most successful literacy activities and projects, and provided feedback on what materials and resources would help them serve their constituents better. Thirty-two community organization partners were represented at the Family Literacy Partner Meeting, ranging from Child and Family Services, Head Start, Even Start, Easter Seals, Visiting Nurses Association, and other organizations concerned with children’s developmental needs. These partners receive new children’s books free of charge and literacy-related materials monthly from NHPTV. Peter Frid, General Manager and CEO of NHPTV, noted that this collaboration among NHPTV’s Ready To Learn service and early education community organizations is valuable to all involved. “It enables us to share our children’s literacy resources with an active group of professionals. They learn what we can offer them—such as books and materials—as well as what PBS can provide. It’s also a really effective forum for all these organizations to network with one another. Most tell us that they leave feeling energized and have new ideas to use.”Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, NHPTV is a leader in education and community outreach. NHPTV provides instructional services for 220,000 students from kindergarten through high school; offers Ready To Learn programs and services for children preschool to age 8, parents, and early education professionals; and provides professional development programs and advanced technology training for educators in New Hampshire and neighboring states. For more information about NHPTV programs that entertain, educate and enrich, visit www.nhptv.org.
About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs and services on-air, online, via mobile, in classrooms and in communities. Beyond its award-winning television programs, New Hampshire PBS is a leader in education and community engagement. www.nhpbs.org
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