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Kidsmart 2010 – 2011
As part of a $4 million nationwide initiative to support early learning, IBM is donating 1,500 computers and teaching curricula to schools and nonprofit organizations that provide services to disadvantaged students.
PACER received a grant from IBM of 60 Young Explorer™ learning centers, which are the centerpiece of IBM’s KidSmart Early Learning grant program. The Young Explorers are being donated to PACER for its preschool programs, targeting children between the ages of four and seven.
"IBM is excited to partner with PACER on our KidSmart Early Learning program, providing new opportunities for children to explore concepts in math, science and language. IBM is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and building the skills that young students need to succeed in their future education and their eventual careers,” said Stanley Litow, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs and President, IBM International Foundation.
IBM’s KidSmart program includes the Young Explorer, a computer housed in brightly colored, child-friendly Little Tikes™ furniture and equipped with award-winning educational software to help children learn and explore concepts in math, science and language. The computer centers can also help children learn important socialization skills such as cooperation and sharing, which are essential to classroom success. In addition, teachers participating in the program become more confident about incorporating technology into their classrooms.
The KidSmart program also includes access to the KidSmart website kidsmartearlylearning.org. Available in eight languages, the site helps parents guide their children’s use of technology and preschool teachers use technology more effectively in their classrooms.
IBM developed the KidSmart program in 1998 to help reduce the digital divide, especially in urban areas, where it was becoming apparent that children from less affluent backgrounds needed access to specialized technology tools and educational materials to better prepare them to enter school. IBM is focused on increasing the number of children entering into math, science and engineering, and believes that success in early childhood learning is a critical step. Since the inception of KidSmart, IBM has donated more than 50,000 Young Explorer learning centers to schools and nonprofit organizations in 60 countries, serving more than 10 million students and 100,000 teachers.
KidSmart 2009 – 2010
As part of a nationwide initiative to support education in Hispanic/Latino communities, IBM has awarded grants for 50 KidSmart computer learning centers to 13 organizations with preschool programs. The grants are part of a $2 million IBM initiative to provide 1,000 computers and teaching curriculum to schools and nonprofit organizations that serve areas with more than 40 percent Hispanic/Latino population.
The IBM KidSmart program effectively teaches young children concepts in math, science, and language as well as the skills needed to be successful in the classroom. Today, the number of Hispanic/Latino students pursuing careers in science, math, and technology is extremely low. Early childhood education can prepare children to excel in school so math and science are within their grasp, making all Hispanic/Latino students potential scientists and engineers.
IBM’s KidSmart program includes the Young Explorer, a computer housed in brightly colored Little Tikes furniture and equipped with award-winning educational software to help children learn and explore concepts in math, science, and language. The Young Explorers can also help children learn important social skills such as how to work together and share. Exploration and socialization skills help prepare children for future success in school, level the playing field, and ensure all children have access to educational tools.
The KidSmart program also includes access to the KidSmart Web site, kidsmartearlylearning.org, which gives teachers and parents helpful information on early childhood learning and technology. The Web site is also available in Spanish.
IBM developed the KidSmart program more than a decade ago to help children from less affluent backgrounds benefit from access to specialized technology tools and educational materials to better prepare them to enter school. Since then, more than 100,000 teachers have been trained to use the programs effectively in the classroom. IBM estimates that millions of children worldwide have used a KidSmart computer learning center.
KidSmart 2008 - 2009
A Project of IBM and PACER
The 2008-2009 KidSmart Project was a national early childhood technology program designed by PACER Center and IBM to help children with and without disabilities learn in inclusive environments. Through the use of technology, this project aimed to help children bridge the digital divide. The project provided the opportunity for professionals and parents to learn more about integrating technology into early childhood classrooms. Through this national project, PACER and IBM teamed up with other national organizations to promote an inclusive classroom environment.
About KidSmart 2008 - 2009
KidSmart has celebrated its 10th year of making a difference in the lives of children using technology. Like the sandbox on the playground, the Young Explorer took center stage as a technology learning center and becomes the “sandbox” of the classroom.
The IBM KidSmart Early Learning Program integrated new interactive teaching and learning activities using the latest technology into the pre-kindergarten curricula. The program has being implemented in 60 countries internationally, serving more than 2 million children from remote geographic areas to underprivileged areas of town and cities.
The centerpiece of KidSmart was the Young Explorer, a colorful "kid-proof" play station manufactured by Little Tikes and IBM and loaded with award-winning educational software from Riverdeep - The Learning Company.
To expand the benefits of the program beyond its grant sites, IBM launched a new web site for early learning and technology at www.kidsmartearlylearning.org. Created in collaboration with the Center for Children and Technology, Bank Street College of Education, and United Way, the site is in nine languages and included a guide for parents to encourage early learning at home. It also included a section for preschool teachers that detailed how they can best use technology to support learning in their classrooms.
PACER Center brought a unique training component to the KidSmart project called Project KITE (Kids Included through Technology are Enriched). Project KITE is an evidenced based 12 year training curriculum for parents and teachers of young children with disabilities. The goal of Project KITE is to promote inclusion for children with disabilities through the use of technology. It provides the opportunity for training to integrate technology in early childhood classrooms and homes.
KidSmart 2008 – 2009 Project Partners
The four national organizations partnering in the KidSmart 2008-2009 project were:- Head Start
- Alliance for Technology Access Centers
- Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers
- Puckett Institute
Please contact PACER Simon Technology Center with any questions at 952-838-9000 or by emailing ectech@PACER.org.
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