2 minute read
SDPB Early Education Initiative
by SDPB
Helping All South Dakota's Children.
Compared to the national average of 65%, 76% of South Dakota’s kids under the age of 6 have all available parents in the workforce. South Dakota is one of four states in the nation without state-funded Pre-K education. SDPB’s Early Learning Initiative takes high-quality PBS KIDS educational resources, aligns them with South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines that were developed by a state-wide panel of professionals and parents, and connects this dynamic curriculum to everyone – teachers, daycare providers, parents and caregivers – to help all South Dakota’s kids get the best possible start.
Meet Kevin Nelson, SDPB’s Early Childhood Education Specialist, who’s working to connect more young learners with SDPB resources.
Born in Sioux Falls and raised in Salem, SD, Nelson graduated from Arlington High School. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degree at Northern State and an educational specialist degree from USD. “I come from a family that has four generations of educators that goes back almost one hundred years,” says Nelson. “I started my teaching career at Warner, SD, as an elementary and middle school teacher and coach.” Next, Nelson was elementary principal at Chester, SD, before moving to take the same role at Beresford. In 2006, Nelson was named National Distinguished Principal by the SD Association of Elementary School Principals.
Nelson is passionate about connecting SDPB’s and PBS’s resources to young learners. “The goal of the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) is to use the resources of SDPB and PBS to make sure every child in South Dakota has the opportunity to start kindergarten ready-to-learn. With over 50 years of trusted educational programming and resources – including curriculum-based learning games, apps and activities, on-demand programming and a 24/7 children’s channel – we believe we’re in the best position to help teachers, caregivers and parents, and ultimately our kids, reach that goal! By aligning PBS content with The South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines (SDELG) and partnering with other early learning organizations in our state, SDPB is in a great position to make a real difference in the lives of our youngest citizens.”
He illustrates the particular need in the state. “Most South Dakota children spend their day outside the home in a childcare or preschool setting. ELI aims to deliver curriculum resources and professional development for preschool and childcare professionals. But we also will provide needed resources to parents and families of early learners in a home setting.”
Currently, Nelson and SDPB are working to align the SDELG with PBS content and programming. “We’re also working on the most effective way to make the full array of PBS and SDPB resources available to parents and families as they work athome with their early learners,” says Nelson. “Since I have started working at SDPB, I have found it amazing how many children and adults tell me about the PBS and SDPB programming that they love and have had an influence in their lives,” says Nelson. “From Sesame Street and Mister Rogers, to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Wild Kratts, public media has had, and continues to have, a very positive influence on many people of all ages!”
To learn more, visit SDPB.org/ELI or email kevin.nelson@sdpb.org. SDPB’s Early Learning Initiative is made possible, in part, by generous donors. See p. 26.
