Informal Learning Initiative Philadelphia

William Penn Foundation Launches New Initiative to Connect Cultural Institutions, Literacy and Families in Eight Philadelphia Communities Posted: Wednesday, September 6, 2017 Source: William Penn Foundation Informal Learning Initiative created through partnership with 18 nonprofit organizations PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 6, 2017) – Museums, parks, libraries and other community destinations are important places where children naturally – and informally – make new discoveries, deepen their interests and engage in learning. Today, the William Penn Foundation announced a new, community-based initiative to connect these critical, informal learning opportunities with children and families in low-income neighborhoods. The Informal Learning Initiative consists of 18 nonprofit partners that are teaming up to design eight fresh, literacy-rich opportunities where parents, or other caregivers, and their children can experience creative play and discovery geared to developing early literacy skills – vocabulary, oral language, writing and comprehension skills. "There is very strong evidence that shows young children learn best in engaging and interactive environments with meaningful content, and places like museums, community centers, parks and playgrounds are particularly suitable for such experiences. What the Informal Learning Initiative is designed to do is level the playing field by creating high-quality programming embedded in communities across the city and removing barriers like cost and transportation to provide access to our fantastic cultural institutions for low-income families, " said Elliot Weinbaum, Great Learning Program Director, William Penn Foundation. The two-year initiative is building important partnerships between cultural institutions like The Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and Fleisher Art Memorial with organizations like Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Children's Village, People's Emergency Center and others that have deep roots in the low-income communities they serve. The intention is for these partnerships to take early learning programming directly to families in ways that not only engage children, but also involve adults as active participants by building their skills to support language and literacy learning at home. "That means programs are offered at no cost and at times and places that families can get to without too much trouble. It also means that the programs are focused on education for adults and children alike," said Weinbaum. Weinbaum added that the eight programs are expected to serve approximately 1,780 children across Philadelphia. The Initiative will also evaluate effectiveness by measuring changes in children's interest, abilities and engagement with literacy, as well as caregiver attitudes, knowledge and skills, as measured by pre- and post-surveys, assessments, interviews and observations. This initiative is aligned with the city-wide Read by 4th campaign (www.readby4th.org) to help all children be proficient readers by the time they start fourth grade. “This Initiative advances two of the main goals of Read by 4th – helping families to engage in literacy-building activities with their children and making sure that every community in Philadelphia has access to literacy-rich programming,” said Jenny Bogoni, Executive Director of Read by 4th. “We are really thrilled that William Penn Foundation has helped to bring more partners to our efforts, engaging even more of our city’s institutions in meeting a very clear set of goals for Philadelphia children,” Bogoni said. The Informal Learning Initiative partnerships and programs include: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University with Congreso de Latinos Unidos and ASPIRA Inc. of Pennsylvania – This partnership is developing "Discover, Play, Share," a pretend play and natural science program that will reach children ages 3-8 and their families in North Philadelphia. The free programs will feature eight three-hour Family Literacy sessions at Congreso and ASPIRA; eight 90-minute Family Literacy sessions at the Academy of Natural Sciences; six 90-minute Learn & Play Days at Congreso and ASPIRA; and four day-long Family Museum Days at the Academy of Natural Sciences. For more information, contact Desi Broadhurst at 215-299-1100 or db853@drexel.edu.