PBS SoCal Continues Family Math Program, Part of New 'Free Summer Resources/Actividades de Verano Gratis' Campaign Providing Free Activities + Interactive Workshops for Families Building Foundational Math Skills Together
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Chelsea Grosbeck
cgrosbeck@pmgsocal.org
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pbssocal.org/matematicasenfamilia
Los Angeles, Calif. – June 16, 2022 – PBS SoCal, the home of the entire PBS schedule and a crucial educational resource for the Southern California region, announced today the launch of the SUMMER LEARNING initiative designed to engage families and caregivers with children ages 2-8 years old in meaningful math learning throughout the summer. The initiative offers multiple entry points for families to interact together with activities ranging from family-oriented online workshops with read-alongs to math literacy story-times as well as bilingual educational activities and take-home booklets with accompanying videos at https://www.pbssocal.org/familymath.
As part of PBS SoCal’s FAMILY MATH initiative, the new summer campaign gives families access to early childhood math activities and learning tools. The goal of the hands-on experiences is to strengthen critical thinking skills with bilingual activities designed for early learners to gain foundational math skills in areas like sorting and collecting, shapes, patterns, counting, spatial sense and more. These activities can be completed independently or together as a family to increase math proficiency and readiness for learning in fall. The program aims to empower families to fully integrate themselves into their children’s learning community.
Online Workshops. The new Virtual Summer Learning Days as part of the initiative will be offered to families and held on various Thursdays throughout the summer months. The online workshops encourage young children ages 2-8 to recognize math in their daily lives through utilizing everyday objects and activities that turn math into fun, interactive learning experiences. The family-friendly workshops include step-by-step sorting and counting activities and storytime read-alongs from beloved children’s books like Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Carter Higgins’ Circle Under Berry. To register for any of the free virtual workshops, click here. Upcoming topics covered include:
Sorting Storytime – Thurs., June 16 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Engage in an interactive read aloud with KidTime StoryTime and practice sorting skills.
Shape Stick Puppets – Thurs., June 30 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Learn how to use different shapes to create stick puppets and put on your own puppet show!
Pattern Recipe & Storytime – Thurs., July 14 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Listen to a read-along of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and practice patterning by making a yummy banana caterpillar snack.
Spatial Reasoning Storytime – Thurs., July 28 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Hear beloved children’s author Carter Higgins read her book Circle Under Berry and guide us in a shape exploration activity.
Counting Octopus – Thurs., August 11 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Take a trip under the sea and create a colorful octopus to practice counting.
Activity Booklets and Videos. Another component of the SUMMER LEARNING initiative is kids and families now have access to both Activity Booklets and weekly videos to serve as side-by-side tutorials and progress tracking to develop foundational math skills together. With resources in both English and Spanish, activities include constructing a Robot Piñata, going on shape scavenger hunts around familiar places like the laundromat, park, grocery store, kitchen and more. Download a digital version or sign up to receive a copy of the printed Activity Booklet by mail here: pbssocal.org/familymath.
Partner Distribution. Prior to the launch of SUMMER LEARNING, many preliminary efforts have taken place in Compton for families and teachers under the FAMILY MATH initiative. Now, SUMMER LEARNING resources will be distributed by PBS SoCal’s local partners around Southern California that include Compton Unified School District, Compton Public Library, Crystal Stairs, Inc., Children’s Institute, USC SECE, KidWorks as well as other early learning agencies, head starts and non-profits.
Editorial Content. Additionally, a robust slate of editorial content and digital resources will serve as an online destination to extend the reach of the initiative aimed to complement the material that include:
-The importance of incorporating “math talk” into everyday conversations
-Step-by-step activities that extend learning and expand on the fun tips offered in the booklet
-Community member stories of how math is used in their everyday work featuring an owner of a bookstore and a bus driver
Newsletter. A newsletter is available to enhance user experiences promoting the most up-to-date content, in-person events, workshops and resources. Newsletter sign-up and a full list of resources can be found here: pbssocal.org/familymath.
Teacher Resources. Even though PBS SoCal Family Math and Summer Learning content is geared toward parents, the content is adaptable and accessible for early learning educators. Many educators share the content with their families and use the activities in their classroom.
Funding was generously provided by the Heising-Simons Foundation and Overdeck Family Foundation. Additional funding was provided by The Boeing Company and California Community Foundation.
Join the conversation on social media using #FamilyMath and #PBSSoCal
About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal is a donor-supported community institution that is a part of Public Media Group of Southern California, the flagship PBS station formed by the merger of PBS SoCal and KCETLink Media Group. PBS SoCal delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and entertain – over the air, online, in the community and in the classroom. We offer the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, Independent Lens, a broad library of documentary films including works from Ken Burns; and educational PBS KIDS programs including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Curious George. PBS programming is available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Chromecast.
About Heising-Simons Foundation
The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco, California. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people.
About Overdeck Family Foundation
Overdeck Family Foundation was founded in 2011 by John and Laura Overdeck with the goal of providing all children the opportunity to unlock their potential. The foundation focuses exclusively on enhancing education, funding efforts both inside and outside of school in the areas of early childhood, informal STEM education, and K-9 programs that include supporting educators and student-centered learning environments.
About The Boeing Company
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity.
About The California Community Foundation
The California Community Foundation (CCF) has served as a public, charitable organization for Los Angeles County since 1915. Its mission is to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles communities. CCF stewards $2.4 billion in assets and manages 1,700 charitable foundations, funds and legacies. For more information, please visit calfund.org.