Tandem, Partners in Early Learning
Organization Details
| Name | Tandem, Partners in Early Learning |
| URL | www.tandembayarea.org |
| Phone number | 415-683-5464 |
Organization Description
| Service(s) description | Tandem’s programming is threefold: 1) provide high-quality, age-appropriate, multilingual books for children; 2) deliver training for the adults who care for children (educators and parents); and 3) build a strong community-wide commitment to support children’s early learning. |
| Program impact | Recent research shows that children in low-income families typically enter kindergarten 12 to14 months behind the national average in pre-reading and language skills, and are likely to remain behind as they move through school. By age three, children living in households struggling with poverty are exposed to 30 million fewer words than their peers who do not live in poverty. Nearly half the children entering kindergarten lack the early reading skills needed for school. Decades of third-party research tells us what works in preparing children for kindergarten. Specifically, research from multiple parties has demonstrated the following: • The early years of a child’s life are critical for optimal development; • The number of words a child knows and understands is an important indicator of later academic success (e.g. vocabulary use in first grade can predict more than 30 percent of eleventh grade reading comprehension); • Reading aloud is the single most important activity for reading success for all primary school grades; • Shared parent-child book reading during children’s preschool years leads to higher reading achievement in elementary school, as well as greater enthusiasm for reading and learning; • Adults learn over time, and a series of linked experiences (instead of just individual trainings) is the most effective way to help adults (parents, caregivers, and educators) learn, develop and improve; • Programs are most successful if they target specific populations by making information linguistically and culturally relevant; and • Bringing parents, providers, and children together is essential for deepening relationships and coordinating a common understanding of the goals and strategies needed to improve early learning. Results from Tandem’s internal assessments have been consistently positive. In 2014-15: • 91% of educators report Tandem programming supports their preparation, understanding, and enthusiasm for sharing books with young children; • 100% of educators report seeing an increase in children’s interest in books and reading; • 99% of educators report improvement in children’s pre-literacy skills; • 95% of families have increased the frequency or duration of time spent reading with their children; and • 96% of parents now read more interactively with their child. |
Community programs are organized into categories known as Community School Elements. All community programs associated with Tandem, Partners in Early Learning are listed below and each program may be provided at 1 or more schools. You can use the 'Show Details' buttons to learn more about each program.
Family Engagement & Support (1 program)
Programs that help bridge OUSD staff with the communities they serve, incorporating the experiences of all families, such that all stakeholders become authentic co-owners of our schools.