L-A College Students Assist Young Healthy
Learners
Ruby Tuesday Cote, left, a student
at Lake Street Elementary School in Auburn, is pictured here
with USM/L-A College student Katie Bryant of Auburn, who is
working with Ruby and other students through the College's
"Healthy Learner's Project."
Febraury 2004
A group of students from USM's Lewiston-Auburn College (LAC)
are working with local elementary school children to help
them reach their potential as young learners. Through the
College's "Healthy Learner's Project," known nationally
as the Primary Project from the Children's Institute of Rochester,
NY, this program pairs trained child associates with children
in grades Kindergarten through three for 12 individual weekly
sessions.
Children are selected for inclusion in the program by reviewing
screenings completed by their teachers at the beginning of
the school year. While a variety of children are included
in the project, Healthy Learner's Children are often those
children who are a little shy and may not be getting as much
as they could out of the classroom environment. Mary Anne
Peabody, the Healthy Learners Trainer for the State of Maine
describes these young learners as "the children teachers
wish they had just a few more minutes with every day."
The weekly sessions consist of child led play that emphasizes
warmth, compassion, and active listening on the part of the
Child Associates. The project has over 40 years of research
demonstrating its success in helping school children reach
their full academic potential.
Robert Baskett, a psychologist and faculty member at LAC,
coordinates the training and supervises undergraduate students
who provide the service to local schools as part of a service-learning
course at the college. Most of the participating students
are pursuing a degree in social and behavioral sciences. "With
the increasing burdens on both children and teachers, we provide
an important release: a place where children can both play
and become better equipped to learn," says Dr. Baskett.
Both guidance counselors and teachers have remarked upon the
growth of many children in the program. There are currently
6 elementary schools in Auburn, Lewiston, and Sumner where
14 LAC students are helping children through imaginative play.
Parents and educators interested in learning more about the
program may contact Dr. Baskett at 753-6587 or email rbaskett@usm.maine.edu.
