Nevada first lady unveils child education program

Teresa Hinds

Friday, March 14, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Nevada first lady Sandy Miller wants parents to be more aware of the daily opportunities they have to get involved in their children's education.

For the past three years, Miller has been working with local businesses and teachers in the Clark County School District to design a program that offers tips on how routine tasks can be turned into learning opportunities for children.

On Thursday, Miller, along with her daughter, 7-year-old Megan, unveiled the Take the Time to TEACH campaign while surrounded by area students.

The acronym TEACH stands for "Talk to children, Encourage children, Answer children's questions, Care about children and Help children."

A handbook that offers tips on how to carry out these things is available at area 7-Elevens, Anderson Dairy, Prime Cable, Columbia Sunrise Children's Hospital and Station Casino Theaters, co-sponsors of the program. Spanish versions of the free booklet are also available at those locations.

Among the tips offered is that parents talk to children while they play. "You'll be amazed at how much they can learn just by talking with you while they play," the handbook states.

Tips for encouraging children include tucking positive notes into their lunch boxes or putting them on their pillows, and reminding them of the good things they have done.

The handbook suggests parents take their children to the library to find answers to their questions.

To show children that parents care about them, tips include meeting the child at school and walking home together and telling children how enjoyable it is to do things together. "Don't assume he knows," the handbook cautions.

The handbook also suggests parents help children learn their shapes by assisting them in matching the correct lid to plastic jars.

Fourteen television commercials have been produced to promote positive interaction between parents and children.

More than 200 Clark County students and parents participated in the commercials.

An audition call initially went out at Gilbert Magnet School, an elementary magnet that focuses on performing arts. Those children then told their siblings, many of whom attend schools throughout the Las Vegas Valley, about the auditions, according to Candy Schneider, assistant director of the school district's School-Community Partnership Program.

The results are commercials featuring the children making pleas to adults, incorporating the program's themes.

Tips offered to accomplish TEACH's goals are primarily common sense. But Miller, a former teacher, said today's busy parents might need a little reminder every now and then.

"I just thought maybe people didn't recognize all the opportunities they had" to teach and encourage children, Miller said. "Teaching isn't just pencil and paper."