A new program in the Marion County School District is helping prepare children and families for their school years.
The Vroom program has taken off and is growing, according to Sandra Anthony, community and kindergarten readiness ambassador for West Marion Primary School.
“Vroom works with prenatal moms to children up to age 5,” Anthony said at a recent community forum. “We want to promote early literacy and math skills before the children enter kindergarten. The parents that come to my parent child groups do a lot of one-on-one interaction with their children. We promote bonding as well. We want the parents to be really engaged with their children. We also promote fine and gross motor skills.”
At the meeting Anthony had participants use a number of games to demonstrate how parents learn to interact with and teach their children.
“We also work with social skills,” she said. “A lot of children starting school now do not have social skills; they’ve been with mom all of the time. They’re not used to being around any other children or adults. We try to promote the interaction between other adults and children.”
Save the Children and Vroom also donated a Little Free Library to Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Sandy Hook. Allen Doan of Columbia constructed the little library. Pastor Jessie Bridges held a dedication ceremony April 18.
“He allowed me to speak on behalf of Save the Children and Vroom,” Anthony said. “I discussed the importance of making sure children are equipped with basic early literacy and math skills before entering kindergarten. It is important for parents to understand that they are their child’s first teacher and that they can make everyday moments around the home and community learning experiences. They have what it takes to be a brain builder.”
Anthony said parents or grandparents could find a variety of materials at vroom.org.
At West Marion Primary School, parent-child groups are held several times per month. Upcoming programs will be at 5:30 p.m. on May 10, May 17 and May 31. Anthony said that if you child is between the ages of birth and 5 years old, you should plan to attend. For more information on Vroom, contact Anthony at the school at (601) 736-3759 or at santhony@marionk12.org.
Pictured Above: Parents and children work on an art project as part of the Vroom program in the Marion County School District. Its goal is to help parents prepare their children for school. | Submitted Photo
