An early jump on learning in Lynn

LYNN – They are the littlest graduates, but the diplomas Logan Rodriguez and his classmates received Monday represent a head start on their road to future academic success.With help from a Lynn agency, the toddlers and their parents worked for two years to master the reading and other learning skills to help them teach and learn their way through school.Family and Children?s Services workers and Lynn School Department representatives saluted the children and their parents Monday at Family and Children?s North Common Street center and celebrated the early childhood education program that has given 357 children a leg-up on learning since 2000. “It?s the best ever,” said Rodriguez? mother, Norma Viramontes.The Lynn resident juggled her jobs as a personal care attendant and retail worker with her husband, Elvin?s, schedule to meet two times a week with Kathy Westin and learn how to turn playing with her son into learning with him.Viramontes and 13 other parents honored on Monday made a 23-week-a-year commitment to work with Westin and other home visitors provided through the program.?It establishes a foundation for parents and children with hands-on learning, books and toys,” Westin said.According to research referenced by Family and Children?s and the School Department, parents who adopt learning practices with young children boost school readiness, reduce the need for special education services and push up high school graduation rates.Westin said parents can continue building on ways to learn with their children once they start school.?Ask them questions, be interested in their days and be part of their school when you can,” she urged.Viramontes said speech difficulties prompted her to seek out the early childhood program. After two years, Logan has to be coaxed at night to stop reading and go to sleep.?It?s helped me a lot to answer the question, ?How will he do in school??” she said.Home visitor Samnang Keo specializes in helping Cambodian American parents develop school skills with their children. She said many of the adults she works with speak little or no English, but they are eager to learn with their children through play activities.?They want success for their kids,” Keo said.In addition to handing the young graduates and their parents framed diplomas during Monday?s ceremony, home visitors also handed out rolled-up certificates tied with blue ribbons and magnets bearing the words, “I am my child?s lifelong teacher.”Graduates and home visitors also honored School Department early childhood program specialist Francie Sudak with a plaque marking her early education work over two decades.?You are all very special,” she told the graduates.