ECS Faculty Partner with Library to Provide Practicum Experience Through Pandemic

As coronavirus cases continue to spread throughout California, higher education institutions have been forced to rethink how students will complete their practicum coursework, which is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in classrooms before entering the workforce. In the Department of Early Childhood Studies (ECS), Assistant Professors Giselle Navarro-Cruz and Eden Haywood-Bird partnered with the College of Education and Integrative Studies Librarian Sally Romero to develop a program that would help ECS students stay on track.  

“As a department, we knew it was important to have our students continue their practicum in the summer to stay on track towards graduation,” said Navarro-Cruz. “When discussing our options with CEIS Librarian Sally Romero, she offered to organize an online platform for our ECS students to complete their practicum by conducting live online storytimes for young children.”  

For three weeks out of the summer, ECS students performed live online storytimes for parents and their children in Pomona and surrounding communities. Parents were able to access the live programming by logging on to Zoom through the University Library.  

“Through online storytelling, our ECS students were able help teach both children and adults about early literacy,” said Romero. “For the storytimes and activities, the students developed curriculum that helped children interact with books and increase children’s willingness to communicate thoughts and feelings as well as encourage children to use their imagination and creativity.”  

Prior to launching the program, ECS students conducted live trial videos with their peers and ECS professors. They also watched training videos and observed Cal Poly Pomona childcare teachers while they conducted live Zoom meetings with young children.  

“I want to thank Professor Navarro-Cruz for making this one of the greatest class experiences I’ve had,” said Daniela Stoffel, an ECS student. “When I heard summer classes would be held online, I was disappointed because it’s my last semester. I didn't want to remember my last semester being stuck at home. Little did I know, it was going to be the most interesting and enlightening experience I would have during my time here at Cal Poly.”  

According to ECS faculty, the ECS Children’s Storytime webpage received a total of 1,687 visits during the three-week period.  

“This creative solution shows the power of collaboration,” said CEIS Dean Jeff Passe. “Our partnership with Sally Romero and the University Library paid off in big ways for ECS students as well as for children and families across the region.”

The ECS program at CPP provides students the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive difference in the lives of children from age zero to eight. For more information about the ECS program, visit www.cpp.edu/ceis/early-childhood-studies.