Left: 2019-20 Jumpstart student group. Photo taken pre-COVID.
Jumpstart, CSUN’s early literacy education program for children aged three through five is still going strong, thanks to a renewal of a grant from California Volunteers and AmeriCorps. Housed in the Department of Child and Adolescent Development, but open to students of all majors, the program works with Volunteers of America (VoA) and the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) to match CSUN students with children in the community. The objective is to encourage and help the children from traditionally under-served backgrounds learn to read and develop a love of reading that can last a lifetime.
Child and Adolescent Development faculty Emily Russell, the Campus Champion for Jumpstart CSUN, secured the renewed funding. “We are thrilled to continue the Jumpstart program this year—our 15th at CSUN. In the era of virtual learning, we see the impact of Jumpstart being even more profound—for CSUN students and the children we serve. Jumpstart presents a unique opportunity for students to feel connected to the campus and local community, and engage in professional development. We look forward to helping children develop their literacy skills, especially in a year where they likely face a greater risk of falling behind.”
Osvaldo Cabadas is the site manager for the CSUN Jumpstart program. Working closely with Russell and CSUN student recruits (Jumpstart Corps Members), he trains the students for their roles in Jumpstart and coaches them throughout the year.
Still in the recruitment phase of the semester, Russell and Cabadas anticipate having 40 CSUN students working with children in our communities. Cabadas said that in light of virtual education, this year is instrumental to the students’ future success, and that being out of the traditional classroom doesn’t have to mean they lose any ground.
“Children learn from the routine of a physical classroom. They have a schedule and consistency creates stability.” Cabadas said. “They get to know their teacher and get a sense of place in the classroom. Virtual learning can make it difficult for children to find this, leaving a negative impact on their social skills. I’m impressing upon our CSUN students that what they’re doing now is more important than ever – you are role models that will enhance the children’s home education experience.”
In-person community events are being revised to virtual activities that will bring CSUN students together to share and create learning opportunities for the children. CSUN students will work with teachers to create themed online reading events, like a Spring Literacy Fair where children can read about colors and engage in learning activities where they can paint, mix colors, and learn about the changes of the seasons. In addition, CSUN students will invite children to log-in with their parents and families for synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences.
Children and families can select from readings and activities based on their interests that are supplemented by the Jumpstart curriculum “Think of Sesame Street and how the programming gives children time to follow along and ask questions,” Cabadas said. The program will continue working with VoA and CCRC which provides quality, support, development, and education to almost 50,000 children and families with programs that include CSUN JumpStart.
“The Jumpstart Program is a picture-perfect example of the department, college, and university’s mission to engage in programs in which allow students to understand become change agents in our society," said David Wakefield, Chair of the Department of Child and Adolescent Development. "The CSUN students in the Jumpstart Program are making a profound impact on leveling the playing field for young children living in high-need neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley—something we need more than ever during this pandemic. And, not only are the young children benefiting from these enhanced early learning experiences, the CSUN students, through these experiences interacting with young children, gain a deeper understanding of the needs of the community and are better positioned to become future leaders and voices promoting social justice and equity."
"At graduation, our Jumpstart students consistently say that being part of the Jumpstart program was one of their most memorable and fulfilling activities during their time at CSUN," Wakefield added. "It’s no surprise to me that the program has been so successful over the nearly two decades it’s been here on campus.”
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