INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — When Indian River County’s Early Learning Coalition asked Brenda Neely, Bridges Early Learning Center director, if she would like volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) to work with the children every day, her immediate response was a resounding “Yes!”
Now, every morning from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. while school is in session, several BBBS retired teachers, parents, and grandparents, interact one on one with a child, reading books, working with letter sounds, sharing age-appropriate activities, and reinforcing whatever the teachers have been doing.
In the short time the Big Sisters and Brothers have been around, classroom reaction has been gratifying.
“A definite difference in the children’s development can be seen,” Neely remarked. “Our first concern, of course, is the children, helping them grow emotionally, socially, physically and cognitively. These new relationships have not only made the teachers happy, but the children are happy, and that makes their parents happy, too.”
Other volunteers at Bridges ELC have been reading regularly to the younger three and four-year-olds.
The year-round Bridges program, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, offers before and after school pickup and care for young ones ages six weeks to nine years, including local school transportation.
Bridges ELC is located at 1590 27th Avenue, on the southeast corner of the 16th Street intersection. For information, contact director Neely at (772)-778-5981 or online at www.BridgesELC.org.