The SUNY Broome Center for Civic Engagement announces its partnership with BAE Systems for the first Preschool Book Program, part of the Literacy Legacy Project of Broome County.
BAE Systems has committed to providing the book The Bus for Us to every 4-year-old child currently enrolled in a preschool program in Broome County.
This book, written by local author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom, will help deliver the message to all families that early language experiences, on the laps of loved ones, are how children’s brains are nourished. The Literacy Legacy Project is committed to ensuring that every family knows to talk, sing, read and play with their children every day. With the generous support from BAE Systems, this vision is becoming a reality.
The Bus for Us is a beautifully illustrated example of rhymes and patterned language that can be a tool for fostering early literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills. This book will be given to preschool teachers and families, along with simple lessons and interactive play activities aimed at helping children fall in love with reading.
To celebrate BAE Systems’ commitment to literacy, SUNY Broome will host The Bus Extravaganza at the SUNY Broome Children’s Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, on the college campus. This event will celebrate literacy and STEAM activities through the book’s theme. In addition to an abundance of hands-on learning activities, author Suzanne Bloom, children’s singer-songwriter John Simon and the main characters from the book, Tess and Gus, will be there to share in the joy of literacy. Many community agencies that support families and children will also be there to share information and resources.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, with the full support of SUNY Broome and BAE Systems, also will declare April the “Month of the Young Child.”
To learn more about the Literacy Legacy Project of Broome County visit www.sunybroome.edu/literacylegacy
