Early Steps: Pre -K Discovery
Introduction to Pre-K Discovery
Early Steps partners with parents and caregivers of children ages 0–5 to give every child an equal start in life. In bilingual, intergenerational groups, families explore stories, songs, art, and nature-based discovery while volunteers and resident teachers model playful, vocabulary-rich interactions. Parents are empowered as their child’s first teacher, learning to integrate teaching moments into daily routines like cooking, shopping, or walking outside.
Why it matters
Research shows that vocabulary development by age three predicts later reading achievement. By the end of 3rd grade, children must transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Yet in Montgomery County, only 22% of Latino 4th graders meet grade-level reading proficiency compared to 55% of their White peers. Early Steps addresses this disparity by providing enriching early learning opportunities for families often excluded from them, especially immigrant and low-income households.​​
When/where
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Monday class: 10:00 - 11:30 AM @ Asbury Methodist Village
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Wednesday class: 9:30 - 10:45 AM at Asbury Methodist Village​​
How it Works
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Parents and children engage in songs, stories, art, journaling, and nature discovery activities designed to build vocabulary and spark curiosity.
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Resident volunteers and experienced teachers provide training and mentoring to parent leaders.
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Families are introduced to public library resources and encouraged to continue learning at home.
Core components
Literacy, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Growth
Mindset, Positive Youth Development (PYD), Creativity,
and Parent Leadership.
Outcomes
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Children expand expressive and receptive vocabulary and enter school more prepared or success.
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Parents gain skills and confidence to their child’s growth through daily routines and play.
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Families build peer networks for mutual support and connection. Communities strengthen intergenerational bonds through collaboration between AMV residents, parent leaders, and children.
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Parents gain skills and confidence to their child’s growth through daily routines and play.