VERNON HILLS, Ill. – Dec.
1, 2005 – ETA/Cuisenaire® today announced the launch of
CitySteps™, the first theme-based supplemental resource, consisting
of six kits each for literacy and math, developed to reflect urban images,
settings, and experiences. Using familiar settings like the city park
and the corner market, CitySteps provides children with opportunities to
explore, talk, and connect learning to their own lives. Early childhood
educators will get a first look at CitySteps at ETA/Cuisenaire’s booth
(#327) at the National Association of Education for Young Learners (NAEYC)
Annual Conference and Expo 2005, Dec. 7-10 in Washington, D.C.
"By creating CitySteps, we wanted young children to have a learning experience
that was relevant to them and reflected their everyday lives," said Dennis
Goldman, president, ETA/Cuisenaire. "The activities and materials
will be a great resource for early childhood educators who are looking for ways
to supplement their curriculum and enhance their students’ math and literacy
skills."
Developed in conjunction with early childhood experts and urban educators, CitySteps
incorporates best practices for young learners and supports standards for preschool
curricula. Early literacy activities emphasize oral language development,
phonological awareness, print awareness, and alphabet knowledge, while math activities
meet the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards for pre-K students
and help develop an understanding of numbers and operations, algebra, geometry,
and measurement.
Each CitySteps kit focuses on one of six themes, which capture the images, settings,
people, and experiences of the city. For example, "My Neighborhood," features
hands-on activities based on the shops, homes, restaurants, and parks that are
a part of a city neighborhood. Children are encouraged to talk about and apply
their own experiences as well as to see how math is used in the everyday world. Literacy
kits also include a Dramatic Play Kit complete with Teacher’s Notes.
The kits also include fun, interactive materials that promote active learning,
such as "ChatterblocksTM" – jumbo, inflatable shapes that relate
to the theme; activity cards with open-ended questions to engage students in
conversations about math, science and literacy concepts; and literacy dramatic
play kits that include realistic props and teachers’ notes so students
can role-play. Each kit also comes with a theme guide for educators, which
includes easy-to-follow instructions and suggestions for integrating CitySteps
into the classroom curriculum.
CitySteps kits start at $229.95 for a single literacy or math kit.
About ETA/Cuisenaire
ETA/Cuisenaireis recognized as the premier publisher and pioneer of Interactive
Literacy and manipulatives-based education, with more than 8,000 supplemental
reading, math, and science resources. Aligned to state and national standards,
these products offer hands-on educational opportunities that make learning
fun for students and teaching more effective for educators. For
more information, visit www.etacuisenaire.com or
call 800-445-5985.
For more information, press only:
Londa Della 800-445-5985, ext. 5219,
©2005 ETA/Cuisenaire. All rights reserved. Cuisenaire®,
CitySteps™ and Chatterblocks™ are trademarks
or registered U.S. trademarks of ETA/Cuisenaire. The
names of actual companies and products mentioned herein
may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
