Karen Rogel of City's First Readers testifies on multilingual early literacy
Karen Rogel represents City's First Readers, a partnership of 18 organizations. She describes play-based, culturally relevant early literacy programs and opposes English-only Head Start requirements.
Thank you, Councilmember Gutierrez and colleagues for convening this hearing.
New York is a sanctuary city.
Our streets are filled with people speaking many languages, and so are our classrooms.
But what happens before those children begin to receive formal instruction?
I'm Karen Rogel, and I'm here representing City's First Readers.
The 18 partners of Cities First Readers deliver some of the most effective programs around to support multi-language learners.
During the critical period from birth through five, that's the same time frame when children's brain grows 90% of its adult capacity, and that's the best time to engage a child with stimulation and experiences that lay the foundation for early literacy.
So how does CFR support multilingual learners and their families on the path to school readiness?
We focus on play and joy.
We provide tools for parents to create safe and stable, nurturing relationships.
And that's what the American Academy of Pediatrics calls relational help.
And we also deliver free, high-quality, culturally relevant early learning programming.
Cities First readers approach is an emphasis of proposed changes at the federal level that would, if implemented, require instruction at Head Start programs to be provided only in English.
We value the languages.
cultures of multi-language learners and that bring to New York City and our programming supports them.
So in closing, I want to leave you with two thoughts.
This is a real and powerful impact that comes from working together to support families with early childhood multi-language learners.
CFR Partners operates in
in a truly collaborative fashion.
So I invite you to come see this for yourself by attending our quarterly meetings or any programs that we have coming.
CFR is reaching out to non-traditional settings and establishing relationships with partners who are not conventionally considered educational.
Clinics, hospitals, healthcare providers, WIC centers, WIC offices, ACS family enrichment centers.
Early literacy supports must be a part of holistic process supporting growth, especially for our multi-language learners.
Thank you.