One of the strongest indicators for a child’s success in school and beyond is their ability to read at grade level by the third grade. The Vision2Read Initiative was developed to ensure San Bernardino County children are able to meet this imperative mark. The initiative focuses on three main goals:
- Focus attention on the importance of reading.
- Highlight literacy-related programs and services throughout San Bernardino County.
- Connect people to available literacy resources and/or volunteer opportunities.
Within Vision2Read came the Footsteps2Brilliance program and app, a multi-faceted tool meant to foster “big brains for little people.” The app is an equitable approach to building language and literacy skills at home and in the classroom.
About Footsteps2Brilliance App
Footsteps2Brilliance is a comprehensive bilingual early literacy interactive program available for free to all Pre-K to third grade children in the county. It is led by San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and their literacy partners, First 5 San Bernardino, Preschool Services Department, and Children’s Fund. The goal of the app is to raise the bar for literacy and support every child from cradle to career.
Footsteps2Brilliance can be used in early learning classrooms or at home to help foster school readiness skills by increasing student engagement in a digital format and encouraging family involvement by providing access to stories, skills-based games, and more. It helps to remove barriers that may prevent young children from literacy opportunities, promotes school and future success, and encourages a lifelong enjoyment of reading. Since 2019, the impact has been major, with 744,115 literacy hours and nearly 3 million books read! The app can be used on any smart device, with or without a Wi-Fi connection.
Who can use Footsteps2Brilliance App?
Early educators and parents alike can use Footsteps2Brilliance in a variety of ways. There are hundreds of available ebooks, including traditional Spanish songbooks, nursery rhyme karaoke, and Super Sounds, which can be used for read-alouds. Engaging children in read-alouds and asking them questions throughout is a research-based strategy that enhances foundational reading skills like concepts about print, fluency, and phonological awareness. It also helps children develop their oral language skills, reading comprehension, logic, and reasoning. The apps can be utilized to further a child’s school readiness as they approach enrollment in transitional kindergarten or kindergarten.
Footsteps2Brilliance App Features
Features include digital books, skill-based games, and early writing opportunities. Children can access all content in English and Spanish to support literacy skill development in both languages. The Doodle Pad feature allows children to practice letters independently or through tracing and writing. The Create a Book feature is an opportunity for users to create cover page art and write their own stories using short sentences, story creation arcs, and illustration. Additionally, there are early numeracy activities, letter formation, speaking and listening activities, and resources and activities to support social emotional learning. “Together Time” activities are designed as “off-app” opportunities for families and caregivers to engage together. Families can also track student progress, including words read and days spent working in the apps.
How Does Quality Start Utilize Footsteps2Brilliance?
QSSB participants of all setting types have utilized the program. In the classroom, the app is used in small and whole-group instruction to promote early literacy skills. Teachers are also able to download program data from the app to further inform their instruction.
In the recent past, family child care providers participated in a QSSB cohort to learn how to best incorporate Footsteps2Brilliance into their daily schedules using developmentally appropriate practices. Cohort members also had access to student progress data in early literacy skills, including phonological awareness, comprehension, and concepts of print. Trainings to support at-home use were also available to further strengthen the partnership between providers and the families in their care.
Additional Resources
- San Bernardino County Vision 2 Read
- Footsteps 2 Brilliance
- Register today in English
- Register today in Spanish
And for parents, follow this step-by-step guide to get started!
