MOLINE, IL – WQPT is launching a short subject program, "Exploring with Mr. Scott," which is designed to help encourage children ask questions, try different ways of using materials and offer them a wide range of new experiences. The program features Scott Brouette, the assistant director for Western Illinois University-QC Student Affairs and program director for the WIU-QC/WQPT AmeriCorps Early Childhood Literacy Project.
According to WQPT/Quad Cities PBS Director of Marketing and Local Content Lora Adams, the series presents parents and caregivers with easy, inexpensive or free ways—whether it is a new way to look at trees or a fun, new way to spell their names—to interact with children to help kids discover the wonders surrounding them.
"Young children learn through exploration and play. When children are encouraged to explore the world around them with the people they love, learning becomes a very powerful principle of their lives," Brouette noted.
A website page is available with the videos and ways for children to create their own exploration kits at wqpt.org/explore.
Brouette earned his a master's degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University; his bachelor's degrees in psychology, mass communication and early childhood education from Illinois State University; and an associate of arts degree from Moraine Valley Community College. Brouette also served as a lead teacher at Illinois State University Child Care Center (1989–2005) and at the Western Illinois University Infant and Preschool Center (2005–13).
According to Brouette, AmeriCorps members serve in early childhood classrooms, expanding and improving literacy skills for children at risk for failure, as well as for under-served young children in the QC area.
For more information, contact Adams at (309) 764-2400, ext. 65029, or via email at LJ-Adams@wiu.edu.
WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.
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