By Tawanda W. Johnson
Special to the AFRO
Concerned about the education achievement gap in Howard County, a group of volunteers decided to form an organization to ensure that African-American children in the county are ready to succeed in kindergarten.
Now, five years later, the group, known as the “Bronze Villagers,” is still fulfilling their mission to improve academic support for the students just beginning their time in the classroom.
“The Bronze Villagers are excited to celebrate five years as an organization making a difference,” said Gerry B. Taylor, chair of the organization’s board of directors. “We have toddlers saying the sounds of the alphabet and three- and four-year-olds reading on first- and second-grade levels.”
The Bronze Villagers meet virtually twice a month with parents of young, African-American children – birth to age five – to help them instill a love of learning and enhance school readiness within their children. Specifically, they help the parents instruct their children on topics such as understanding sounds for reading, recognizing math quantities and learning information about science and Black historical figures.
The organization has 14 volunteers who regularly serve about 30 families with a total of nearly 60 children. The program is free and called Parents of African American Children Kollege (PACC Kollege). In addition to the learning activities, the program provides parents with resources that they can access to further aid their children.
Rachel Cook, a volunteer with Bronze Villagers, is proud that her grandson Simon, age 3, is a participant in the school readiness program and now an advanced reader. During a recent community event showcasing the Bronze Villagers’ activities, she was thrilled to share important tips for parents to help educate their children.
“You can use these basic words to help with reading activities,” said Cook, while pointing toward small placards that contained the words “head,” “nose,” and “eye.” She added that parents should consult the book, “The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children.” It features the latest scientific research on child development, learning, and brain growth and highlights the success stories of ordinary people. For example, the book includes the story of how a hardworking farmer taught his child math and science, despite their grueling lifestyle.
Autumn L. Johnson, another volunteer, said she, too, enjoys coaching parents on reading activities to help their children.
“It’s so wonderful to watch the children as they improve their literacy skills,” she said. “These foundational activities will go a long way in helping them to become successful not only in kindergarten but also later in life.”
Dawnita Burton, another volunteer with the Bronze Villagers, also spoke about her experience.
“It’s very rewarding to see the children grow and to watch their progress,” she said.
During the Bronze Villagers community event, Burton demonstrated how household items, such as paper bags and cotton balls, can be used to design and teach children about their digestive system and other bodily functions.
Rashidat Oliwo, a parent who attended the community event, said she was eager to learn how to help her children.
“I’m always looking for a way to engage my children,” she said.
Taylor said parents play crucial roles in aiding their children’s educational development. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “by five years of age, our brains have grown to about 90 percent of their adult size, but it’s important to note that while a five-year-old’s brain may be 90 percent of adult size, this does not mean that a child’s brain is 90 percent finished developing by age five.”
Given that information, there’s little time to waste in preparing children for success in school. Taylor said that the Bronze Villagers want to see the educational achievement closed in Howard County.
“The parent is the first teacher in a child’s life,” she said. “We must begin at home.”
To learn more about the Bronze Villagers, visit their website: https://bronzevillagers.org/