(Berkeley, CA) April 20-25, 2009—
April 9, 2009 – Berkeley, CA -- Habitot Children’s Museum is launching its first annual "Preschool Teachers Make a Difference" awards program.  The awards will be given to eleven outstanding preschool educators this spring. The contest coincides with Habitot’s 11th Birthday in April and the national Week of the Young Child.

According to the American Educational Research Association, at-risk children who participate in high-quality, center-based preschool programs have better language and cognitive skills in the first few years of elementary school than do similar children who did not have such experiences.  They tend to score higher on math and reading tests, and they are less likely to repeat a grade, drop out of school, or need special or remedial services in the future*.

Habitot Children's Museum Executive Director, Gina Moreland, further notes that “preschool teachers nurture curiosity and confidence in young children, build their social and emotional skills, inspire their imaginations, and open the doors to lifelong learning.  With this contest we hope to recognize the contributions of preschool teachers in the Bay Area and highlight the importance of a quality preschool experience.”

Nomination forms, criteria, and the selection process can be found on Habitot's website at www.habitot.org.  Nominations are open to preschool teachers in the nine Bay Area counties and will be accepted through May 29, 2009.  Applications will be screened and scored by a panel of educators and early childhood education advocates including the Executive Director of First 5 Alameda County, an Emery Unified school board member and more.

Winners will be notified by June 19, 2009, and a back to school reception honoring the teachers with their awards will be held September 21, 2009 at Habitot.  Winners will receive a $100 school supply catalog gift certificate, a FREE preschool field trip for their classroom to Habitot Children's Museum, and a Habitot Family Membership package for one family.

IMPORTANT DATES

• March 29, 2009 - Contest opens for nominations
• May 29, 2009 - Applications due; must be postmarked, faxed, or e-mailed by  5:00 pm
• June 19, 2009 - Award winners notified
• September 21, 2009 - Celebration event to recognize winners
  

For more information please visit http://www.habitot.org.
*Early Childhood Education: Investing in Quality Makes Sense
http://www.aera.net/uploadedFiles/Journals_and_Publications/Research_Points/RPFall05.pdf

About Habitot:
Habitot Children's Museum is the East Bay's award-winning hands-on discovery museum for young children, recently voted “Best Museum for Little Kids” in the San Francisco Bay Area by Nickelodeon’s 2008 ParentsConnect.com’s Parents’ Pick Awards.

Through early childhood learning, parenting education, and community outreach, Habitot helps parents and caregivers raise curious, creative, and confident children. More than 850,000 people have enjoyed Habitot’s interactive exhibits, art programs and classes since the Museum’s opening in 1998. Habitot ensures its accessibility for all Bay Area families with its Family and Community Partnerships Program, which brings more than 7,000 low-income and at-risk children into the Museum every year through scholarships, subsidized memberships and Free Admission Days.

For more information about Habitot's events and free days, please visit http://www.habitot.org/hab/events.htm