Ready To Learn award will help WILL-TV support early childhood learning Additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS will help WILL-TV extend resources to help families support early math and literacy for kids in Champaign County during the next 18 months. WILL-TV, jointly with WSIU-TV in Carbondale and WTVP-TV in Peoria, received a $105,264 grant to work with schools and parents to expand school readiness projects in central Illinois. The Illinois Education Collaborative, made up of the three stations, is one of 21 public television entities across the country to receive funding as part of the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn (RTL) Initiative. Photo: Michael Owen Thomas
Photo: Molly Delaney
WILL-TV
20 PATTERNS • AUGUST 2014
WILL-TV will provide training to local educators on how to use RTL multiplatform content and to parents on how to engage their children in math and literacy activities at home. “Research shows that early learning can help children succeed in school and in life, and the need is even greater for kids from low-income families,” said Kimberlie Kranich, director of community content and engagement. WILL-TV’s partners will be Champaign County Head Start, Family Child Care Homes/Head Start, Urbana Early Childhood School, Champaign Unit 4 Schools Pre K, University of Illinois Early Childhood Special Education Department, Parkland College Child Development, Champaign Public Library, Rantoul Public Library, Urbana Public Library, Champaign County United Way and the Multicultural Community Center. The RTL Initiative uses multiplatform media and other learning tools—including television programs, interactive games, mobile apps, as well as hands-on activities— to engage and strengthen early learning experiences for children ages 2-8 at home, in preschool and in other out-of-school settings.