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	Click here to view a map of our KidSmart Early Learning Program sites in the five boroughs (PDF, 820 KB).

KidSmart Early Learning Program

With no access to computers, thousands of children in low-income communities face severe learning disadvantages compared to children exposed to technology in their schools and homes. Of households earning $75,000 or more per year, 86% had a computer at home, compared to just 19% of households earning less than $15,000 per year.

For children who lack the opportunity to develop early familiarity and comfort with computers, the benefits of the technology revolution do not exist, and will in fact make their lives harder, as they are left farther and farther behind their more computer-literate peers.

Program History

First piloted in 1998, the KidSmart Early Learning Program is a partnership project with IBM that has developed into a proven way of bridging the digital divide for low-income children in New York City. By placing Young Explorer computers pre-loaded with Edmark educational software into publicly-funded child care centers throughout the five boroughs, KidSmart has been able to provide computer-literacy and early learning advancements to over 25,000 socio-economically underprivileged children.

The program is designed to not only provide children with equal opportunities to utilize technology but also to engage parents in the process. IBM has created a multi-language Web site, www.kidsmartearlylearning.org, that parents and teachers can use to learn more about early education and additional ways to integrate technology into the learning experience.

Key Services Offered

As part of the KidSmart Early Learning Program, involved child care centers receive:

• A donation of three Young Explorer computer workstations manufactured by IBM and Little Tikes
• Volunteer assistance with assembling the Young Explorer computers
• Pre-loaded, award-winning, age-appropriate educational software
• Training for teachers in the use of the software and the Young Explorer computers
• A Teachers' Manual and reference guide to be used in integrating the educational software into the curriculum

Program Goals

On an annual basis, United Way and IBM will bring over 135 Young Explorer computer workstations to 40 or more publicly-funded child care centers throughout the city, train over 270 teachers and host at least three KidSmart curriculum workshops. Additional program goals are:

• To empower over 2,000 economically disadvantaged children to succeed in elementary school by providing hands-on technological experience to preschoolers in low-income nonprofit child care centers;
• To provide children from all geographical areas and all economic backgrounds a chance to experience the benefits of technology;
• To develop and promote new and important methods of stimulating children so that they are excited to learn and enthused about technology.

Program Highlights

The KidSmart Early Learning Program has impacted the lives of over 25,000 economically disadvantaged children by providing hands-on technological and educational experience in more than 300 low-income nonprofit child care centers throughout New York City. Bank Street College of Education, a prestigious leader in child-centered education, evaluates the program to ensure it is meeting benchmarks.

For more information about United Way's KidSmart Early Learning Program, please contact Natasha Lifton at (212) 251-4134 or nlifton@uwnyc.org.

Our Partners in The KidSmart Early Learning Program  We rely on the expertise and support of many organizations to ensure the effectiveness of the KidSmart Early Learning Program: Founding Partners IBM United Way of America Funding Partners IBM United Way donors Community-based Partners Through KidSmart, a United Way-led collaboration with IBM, we work with 44 grassroots organizations across all five boroughs to ensure all children get an equal start by bringing technology into preschools in low-income neighborhoods. Click here for a list of our community-based partners.

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