User:Iknowletters/Generation Next

iKnow Animals, Letters & Sounds is a commercial brand of educational materials, originally designed for reading education through phonetics and interactivity created by Generation Next to improve children's literacy.

The program encompasses a wide variety of media, including computer games, music, flash cards, DVDs and worksheets provided in Parent Place (an online digital library and support community for Parents). Simple lesson plans and group activities can be found in Teachers Lounge. The target audience for this brand includes individuals, home school parents, and group educational settings such as preschools, kindergartens, and structured day care programs.

Generation Next uses researched-based findings from the National Reading Panel, 2000 Reports "Teaching Children to Read", the Institute for the Development of Educational Achievements, University of Oregon "Big Ideas in Beginning Reading" and other research-based methodologies to create iKnow Animals, Letters & Sounds. The research is used to build the solid foundation for learning and infused these proven methods with technology, innovation, imagination, creativity and the desire to make a difference.

Research indicates that the majority of children who read well do better in school. Developing language comes naturally to young children even before preschool and kindergarten.

iKnow Animals, Letters & Sounds provides everything needed for a happy and rewarding learning experience. While children are having fun learning to read they will ALSO be developing knowledge in the early stages of:


 * Beginning reading
 * Phonemic Awareness
 * Alphabet Principles
 * Reading Comprehension
 * Listening skills
 * Speaking and communication skills
 * Preservation and conservation of our planet
 * Vocabulary
 * Character and self-esteem

History
Cindy Coleman, M.Ed. conceived the idea for iKnow Animals, Letters & Sounds at her sister's kitchen table while playing the animal-alphabet game she made up for her nephews. Cindy and her nephews played this game for hours.

As they played Cindy Coleman noticed how excited the boys were about learning. They wanted to know about the animals and they were able to understand and learn beginning reading concepts easily. She saw their confidence growing by the minute. The boys were proud to play. The animals provided the perfect theme and purpose to teach children how to read. Cindy turned to her family and said, "I have an idea!" And that was the start of her Beginning Reading dream.

Cindy Coleman assembled a team, a pride, that includes educators, curriculum and technology specialists, artists, musicians, animators, digital media and motion graphics developers and the world famous San Diego Zoo.

“It was our dream to create an inspiring beginning reading educational program that is the perfect balance of beginning reading concepts ‘reading readiness’ and inspiring children to dream, imagine, be curious about the world around them, and learn that their contribution matters.” Cindy said. Our partnership with the San Diego Zoo allows us to be a part of global preservation and conservation efforts. We believe building a strong foundation for reading gives children an advantage in school. We believe building character and self-confidence and developing self-esteem and a sense of pride gives children an advantage in life.

IKnow Animals, Letters and Sounds--the dream of Cindy Coleman came true. It became a bigger than life dream helping children have fun with this beginning reading program.