Strategic Focus : Cultural Literacy: CIAO Bella

CIAO Bella (community invests in artistic opportunities beginning with early learners) leverages a network of early childhood resources and venues, the success of Silicon Valley Reads and the power of the Internet to broadly engage Silicon Valley’s tots (ages 1-5) and their families in a variety of creative activities connected to a children's book chosen each year.  Using that same book, in-depth programs and professional development are provided to state-funded preschool teachers, Head Start programs, low-income parents and caregivers of low-income children. In addition, low-income preschoolers and their caregivers are given the opportunity to visit the Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) at no cost and experience hands-on activities with professional artists. And, preschoolers throughout the county have the opportunity to experience the arts during a Special Event Day at CDM, free for everyone. Books will be distributed at the Special Event Day as well as the targeted visits.

 

CIAO Bella Goals:

  • Provide young children and their caregivers an opportunity to experience and create art together
  • Build skills and the ability for self- and social expression amongst children and their caregivers
  • Provide foundational experiences for the audiences and workforce of the future
  • Reach targeted populations through in-depth opportunities for training and additional materials for their parents, teachers and caregivers

Progress to Date: A collaborative leadership team of Children’s Discovery Museum, Head Start/State Funded Preschools and First5 Santa Clara County has developed the vision and plan for nurturing tots’ creativity within Silicon Valley. The team identified partners for distributing the program, presented the concept to funders and community members and incorporated their feedback into an updated program plan. 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please direct your inquiry to Joshua Russell, Director of Communications and Emerging Initiatives at jrussell@1stact.org