New Literacy and Math Resource for Preschoolers Reflects Urban Experience
Familiar Settings and Images Encourage Oral Language Development through Purposeful Play and Build Math, Literacy Skills
VERNON HILLS, Ill. – Dec. 1, 2005 – ETA hand2mind ® today announced the launch of CitySteps™, the first theme-based supplemental resource, consisting of six kits each for literacy and math, developed to reflect urban images, settings, and experiences. Using familiar settings like the city park and the corner market, CitySteps provides children with opportunities to explore, talk, and connect learning to their own lives. Early childhood educators will get a first look at CitySteps at ETA hand2mind ’s booth (#327) at the National Association of Education for Young Learners (NAEYC) Annual Conference and Expo 2005, Dec. 7-10 in Washington, D.C.
"By creating CitySteps, we wanted young children to have a learning experience that was relevant to them and reflected their everyday lives," said Dennis Goldman, president, ETA hand2mind . "The activities and materials will be a great resource for early childhood educators who are looking for ways to supplement their curriculum and enhance their students’ math and literacy skills."
Developed in conjunction with early childhood experts and urban educators, CitySteps incorporates best practices for young learners and supports standards for preschool curricula. Early literacy activities emphasize oral language development, phonological awareness, print awareness, and alphabet knowledge, while math activities meet the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards for pre-K students and help develop an understanding of numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, and measurement.
Each CitySteps kit focuses on one of six themes, which capture the images, settings, people, and experiences of the city. For example, "My Neighborhood," features hands-on activities based on the shops, homes, restaurants, and parks that are a part of a city neighborhood. Children are encouraged to talk about and apply their own experiences as well as to see how math is used in the everyday world. Literacy kits also include a Dramatic Play Kit complete with Teacher’s Notes.
The kits also include fun, interactive materials that promote active learning, such as "ChatterblocksTM" – jumbo, inflatable shapes that relate to the theme; activity cards with open-ended questions to engage students in conversations about math, science and literacy concepts; and literacy dramatic play kits that include realistic props and teachers’ notes so students can role-play. Each kit also comes with a theme guide for educators, which includes easy-to-follow instructions and suggestions for integrating CitySteps into the classroom curriculum.
CitySteps kits start at $229.95 for a single literacy or math kit.
About ETA hand2mind
Headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL, ETA hand2mind is recognized as the premier publisher and pioneer of manipulatives-based education, with more than 8,000 supplemental math, reading, and science resources. Aligned to state and national standards, these products offer hands-on educational opportunities that engage students in learning and make teaching more effective for educators.
Londa Della 800-445-5985, ext. 5219
©2005 ETA hand2mind . All rights reserved. Cuisenaire®, CitySteps™ and Chatterblocks™ are trademarks or registered U.S. trademarks of ETA hand2mind . The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
