College of Human Ecology and The P-12 Learning Bridge Launch First Jumpstart Program in Ohio
Forty Jumpstart Students to Help Preschoolers Start School Ready to Learn
Oct 11, 2002
Oct 11, 2002
Adam McCampbell, a History major in the College of Humanities, is a Jumpstart team leader in Jumpstart Columbus at The Ohio State University.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - MTV featured Jumpstart on its 9/11 Portraits of Motivation program on September 11, 2002. President Bush praised Jumpstart on August 5, 2002, at a Pittsburgh meeting with Jumpstart Corps members. On Friday, October 18, 2002, the College of Human Ecology and the P-12 Learning Bridge at The Ohio State University will launch Jumpstart Columbus, a local site of a national preschool enrichment and literacy program. Forty Ohio State students are currently training and will begin work with preschool children this month in the Jumpstart Columbus program. The program is made possible in Columbus thanks to a gift from the Schottenstein's/Value City Department Stores.
"I am super excited about the chance to be a part of the first Jumpstart program in Columbus and Ohio," said Erin Brock, a Human Development and Family Science major in the College of Human Ecology. "I think these kids are awesome, and I look forward to teaching them as much as I can and learning from them as well. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher, and this opportunity will make me a better person as well as a better teacher in the future."
Started in 1993, Jumpstart is a Boston-based, national program that recruits, trains, and pays college Work-Study students to serve as part-time AmeriCorps members.
Jumpstart focuses on:
- developing the child's language, literacy, and social skills in preparation for school success,
- encouraging strong Family Involvement to help families support children's learning, and
- training college students to be Future Teachers and Leaders in early childhood education.
Jumpstart Columbus is a logical fit with the College of Human Ecology's teaching, research, and outreach programs in Early Childhood Development and Education.
"As soon as I heard about Jumpstart, I knew it would be a perfect complement to our existing programs," said Human Ecology Dean David W. Andrews. "Jumpstart offers college students a positive experience with preschool children, which impacts the lives of the children involved, builds their chances for success in school, and strengthens the neighborhood. It also encourages the college students involved to consider careers in teaching or leadership in the early childhood education arena, something our country needs."
Each Ohio State student involved in Jumpstart Columbus will spend a minimum of 11 hours a week in preschool classrooms. During this time, the student will provide attention to all the children and assist the teacher in reducing the ratio of students per teacher. In addition, Jumpstart college students will meet with children identified as needing extra help twice a week for two hours. Every child in the center thus benefits from having Jumpstart college students in the classroom.
The following local programs will participate:
- The Godman Guild's CDC Head Start Program
- The Northside Child and Family Development Center
- The Columbus Public Schools Second Avenue Elementary
The College of Human Ecology and the P-12 Learning Bridge moved quickly to implement the program since receipt of the Schottenstein/Value City Department Stores gift. Site Manager Tiffani Lewis, a former Jumpstart Corps member and team leader in Washington, DC, currently runs the program out of The Human Ecology House at 1621 North 4th Street.
"We recruited and trained 40 Ohio State students so that they are ready to start working with local children this month," said Lewis. "They are enthusiastic and eager to do their part in making a difference in the lives of young children and their families."
The Ohio State students agree that it's a wonderful opportunity.
Erin Brock, a Human Development and Family Science major in the College of Human Ecology, is taking part in Jumpstart Columbus at The Ohio State University.
"I got involved with Jumpstart because I was really excited to work with young children," said Adam McCampbell, who is a History major and a Jumpstart team leader. "I firmly believe life changes happen through one-on-one relationships, so if I can help a child have a better experience in school, I believe I am truly doing something worth while."
The chance to be involved in the Jumpstart program has also gotten Adam thinking about the possibility of teaching as a career.
Jumpstart Columbus faculty advisor Dr. Kathy Reschke, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science and OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences state specialist in early childhood, says that Jumpstart's dual focus on building social skills and engaging children in enjoyable early reading and language activities is firmly rooted in current research on early literacy learning.
"In the past several years, a great deal of research has looked at strategies that have the greatest effect on improving young children's early reading and language skills," she said. "Findings indicate that the most effective approaches include a combination of reading books with children in a way that engages them and training children in early phonological skills, such as rhyming and sound-letter awareness. These literacy-based activities are most beneficial to children when they occur within positive social interactions with adults and other children. With Jumpstart staff in these classrooms, more children will be able to experience the level of individual attention and positive interactions that can truly make a difference in their lives."
The Jumpstart Columbus program is located at the College of Human Ecology's Human Ecology House at 1621 North 4th Street in Columbus. For more information about the program, please contact Site Manager Tiffani Lewis at (614)299-3970 or lewis.894@osu.edu.