As the principal of an elementary school located on the Texas/Mexico border, I recognize that early instruction in language and literacy is critically and vitally important for our students. In an effort to assist and support our parents in educating their children at home where we realize that the foundation for learning begins, our school purchased EduPlates for all of our Kindergarten students. In our endeavor to collaborate with parents in sharing the instructional responsibility between the school and the home, we believe that providing parents with EduPlates will foster this team effort to engage them and their children in the educational process.
- Denise Reyes, Principal, North Heights Elementary
Thought I would give you some feedback since we have had the plates for about 6 weeks. First, my son loves them. He will say the abc’s pointing to the borders. I have also “caught” him tracing the letters as he eats his food. He talks about the objects on the plate and is sounding out the letters. He also enjoys the numbers plates. I am pleased that they reinforce what he learns at Montessori school and he thinks it’s fun. Thanks!
- Susan Jost, Parent who purchased a set at a local church festival in Carrollton, TX in October, 2007
Eduplates were an immediate hit with my four-year-old. He insisted on the same plate every night till he had mastered those letters. He also, for the first time, made the important association between the name of the letter and its sound. I noticed that he was stressing the first letter of the illustrating picture and making the connection. He also thought of other words that started with the same sound. The questions on the plates were helpful because his teacher had been asking us to give him similar questions, i.e., ones where the answer wasn’t part of the question, such as, What do you wear on your finger? (a ring).
I feel that the Eduplates are as useful a teaching tool as an alphabet book and extend learning time into an activity that the child does every day (eat). Since most of the reading people do every day is environmental, it is important that children understand that literacy isn’t just for books.
As a veteran educator with 30 years as classroom teacher and as curriculum coordinator for ESL and bilingual programs, I feel that the Eduplates would have as great an impact on literacy as the paperback books distributed as part of Chapter One or RIF programs among ECE students. We need innovative connections to literacy to reach certain demographic groups of children and make a difference to their education. Eduplate is certainly one of these innovative connections.
- John Godbey, M.A, M.S., Carrollton, Texas
I have been in elementary education for over 41 years and I rarely get excited about new products for children…… I have always believed that if you present information to children in a colorful, creative way, they will grasp the concepts and internalize them very quickly. What better gift can we give our young children than a “thirst for knowledge”, in order to make them life-long learners? The Eduplates only need to be exposed to the multitude of parents who are searching for materials to enhance their child’s educational process.
- Sherri Stoger, Elementary Teacher, Houston I.S.D. Houston, TX
I shared the plates with my Pre-Kindergarten students.The parents were very happy to use them.They are able to better help teach their children the alphabet.This will help reinforce what is taught at school.I recommend these plates to all Pre-K students in the Dallas Independent School District.
- Yolunda Wilson, Principal, N.W. Harllee Elementary
My students were so excited to take home their Eduplates! They come to school with stories about teaching the letters and numbers to their younger siblings and teaching the letters in English to their Spanish speaking parents! The plates are greatly appreciated and are wonderful educational tools that reinforce what we teach here at school.
- Mrs. Gebhardt, Kindergarten Teacher, City Park Elementary, Dallas I.S.D.
The plates are designed for 3 and 4 year olds, but they can be used by younger children. The design of the plates is appropriate for that age, with colors and features that lead to family literacy.
- Mary Capello, CEO, Texas Migrant Council, Laredo, TX
Appreciate your promptness on the delivery. I’ll have Angie Escamilla, my secretary, look into finding out if we need to give you any forms. Good luck to you on your educational venture. (Note: Ms. Hein recently purchased 50 sets to give to the Early Childhood teachers graduating this Fall semester.)
- Mrs. Candy Hein, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Texas A&M International University
Thank you so-o-o much! Of course teachers loved the plates. We hope to give them away before Christmas in connection with our READ TO YOUR CHILD/parent involvement. I hope to order more, our budget was partially realized.
- Suad Hooper, Director, Community Action, Inc. San Marcos, TX
My son Andres loves to eat on his Eduplates! He has pointed out several of the letters, pictures and numbers on the plates. He has specified where he would like for me to place his food on the plate whether on top of a letter or by a number he is interacting with what he sees and I appreciate the educational aspect of the plate!
- Virginia A. Monreal, CFBISD Personnel , Carrollton, TX
The Eduplate Factory Corporation has answered the prayers of millions of parents whose young children are “starving for literacy!
- Kim McAnally, 2nd Grade Teacher, Kent Elementary School, CFBISD, Carrollton, TX
I believe we are looking into purchasing more plates. Wanted to share with you what my 5 year old niece, Amelie Rodriguez said to me when I asked about the plates. “When I am eating then I want to count the pictures and say the letters. I like to eat with the plates because they show many things like numbers and letters.”
- Yolanda Isabel Rodriguez, M.S. Ed. Early Childhood Education Director, Migrant and Head Start
Programs, Laredo, TX
The Eduplates have been an effective way of teaching my kindergartner the alphabet, identifying capital/small letters and counting. The Eduplates provide quality time for my child and me. As he is having his meals, he is engaged in productive learning. It has been a fun past time. We take our Eduplates everywhere such as restaurants, trips and family gatherings. Prof. Read A Lot has been an inspiration in my son’s reading. The website also provides great ideas and work sheets to reinforce reading and numbers.
- Alanna Talamantez-Elizondo, Ed. D. San Felipe Del Rio CISD, Del Rio, Texas
