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- All children need to learn their ABCs and...
- 1, 2, 3...
- But there are also other skills
they need to learn
to be ready for school.
- I've taught kindergarten
and first grade for 21 years.
We see so many kids coming into the public school
not prepared for school.
Whether it was academically or socially, emotionally,
they just came to us not ready.
- We need to plan...
- That's why a group of educators in Virginia
formed a special Lions Club that puts children first.
- If there's some way to reach a 2 year old, a 3 year old,
a 4 year old so that they have a positive experience
with school, then it's going to make all the difference.
It sets them up for success.
- So many students go to preschool now.
But there was just those few that for whatever reason didn't.
And they were coming in
just so far below
the other children
that it was hard for them to get caught up.
- I thought it would be a good idea
to charter a Children First Lions Club
in Middletown Elementary School to meet the needs
of our community.
- The purpose of the Club is
to work with 3 to 5 year olds
to help them prepare to be successful in kindergarten.
Give them some basic skills, like how to hold a pencil,
how to cut, socialization,
taking turns, listening to directions.
- The Little Lions Preschool is free to children
in the community.
- Annalise had 3 years
with the Lions program.
And she really enjoyed every minute of it.
- We start out with a story.
- Apples up on top!
- And then we do activities, such as alphabet,
comparisons, counting.
We always have a craft and a snack.
Then we also have music because music is a great way to teach.
- [singing] Five red apples
Hanging in a tree...
- They meet in the evening twice a month--
a time that's convenient for volunteers and parents.
- You bring your child,
and the parent stays and works with them, too.
- We're modeling what parents can do.
- The key is parental involvement
as well as the kids coming into the actual school building.
The comfort level on everybody's part has been a huge success.
- I'll never forget
the first experience. They sat down.
It was time to cut shapes out.
And I ran over and said, "No,
"no, no, no. She's not ready yet.
She doesn't know how to use scissors."
And the Little Lions teacher said, "No, it's OK. Trust us."
It opened my eyes, and she did it.
- What I would like for you to do,
if you can get them to do it...
- We always send home a packet every session that has
some follow-up to what we've been working on in that hour.
- It was fun, something for us to do together.
She learned to trace her letters.
And I hadn't even, you know, really thought
about teaching her about working with the little scissors.
And she loved it, and she really refined that skill
from that take-home activity.
- I like to make the projects.
It was fun.
- Children are not the only ones excited
to be part of the program.
- Working with these children gives you
such a sense of purpose.
Any Lions Club in any community can do this.
It just makes you feel so good inside.
It gives you warm fuzzies. Ha ha!
- I first started out
as a parent of a 3 year old.
I learned so much and decided,
"You know what? I wanted to help out with this."
So I joined Lions after that and became one of the teachers.
- The parents' feedback has kept us going.
They can see a world of difference.
And when they go to school, they are so successful.
- Good job, Anna! You're a good reader.
Lions, thank you so much for everything you do
for the children.
Anna just loves school.