Posted on: Friday, October 22, 2004
Hawaiian preschoolers focus of education event
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
In an effort to meet the needs of the state's youngest residents, early childhood leaders, educators and nonprofit groups will gather tomorrow to focus their efforts on preschoolers of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser "If we can get this 38 percent to do better, it's better for the state, since it's such a high population," Sarsona said.
The first-ever Native Hawaiian early education summit, "Kumukahi," will bring together many of the resources available for these children and help stakeholders develop a plan to address early education and care across the state.
The summit will take place at Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalaniopu'u in Kea'au on the Big Island.
Because many Native Hawaiian families cannot afford center-based childcare, cannot find an opening or prefer to rely on family, one mission is to find a way to help children who would not otherwise attend preschool and be ready for kindergarten. These kinds of solutions include home visitations or parent-participation programs, which help children learn basic skills so they are not behind when they start kindergarten.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser Parents or caregivers attend the free program with their children three mornings a week and learn how to help promote their children's learning.
"It gives parents an alternative to preschool," Sarsona said.
Ruth Gabaylo, 29, has brought three children to Keiki Steps with her husband and now is a teacher's aide for the program.
Gabaylo was impressed with the changes she saw in her oldest daughter, who started the program when she was 9 months old.
At a year old, her daughter had already started writing her name. She also learned the alphabet, simple rhymes, colors and Hawaiian words and values.
Not only did her daughter make friends, but Gabaylo also befriended other parents.
Summit participants will discuss similar programs, as well as how to prepare Hawaiian children for school; culturally appropriate practices for working with these children; effective program models for reaching Native Hawaiian families; strengthening language and literacy; and grant-writing.
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.
These children make up 38 percent of the state's 5-and-under population, and many of them face obstacles such as abuse and poverty, more so than any other ethnic group in the state, said Marci Sarsona, associate executive director of the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture.
David Gabaylo keeps an eye on his 7-month-old son, David Jr., at the Keiki Steps preschool program at the Ma'ili Elementary School cafeteria. Programs such as Keiki Steps help preschoolers and parents prepare for kindergarten.
These efforts can make a big difference to the children and parents who take advantage of them, say parents in INPEACE's Keiki Steps program, which is offered on three Hawaiian Homesteads: Nanakuli, Wai'anae and Kealakehe.
Ruth Gabaylo puts out animal crackers for preschoolers, including David DeReis and Gabaylo's daughter Cayenne, at the Keiki Steps program. Gabaylo is a teacher's aide for the program.
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| At a glance
What: "Kumukahi," Native Hawaiian early education summit When: Tomorrow, 8:30 a.m i 4:30 p.m. Where: Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalaniopu'u in Kea'au on the Big Island Cost: $75 per person, which includes meals. Information: Contact Marci Sarsona at (808) 216-3065 or |
