The Arkansas Educational Television Network and UAMS Head Start in Little Rock will host a free event for the school’s parents tonight, Nov. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

AETN has partnered with PBS to bring math and literacy technology resources where kids learn and live. The AETN Digital Education Network (DEN) works with community partners, such as schools, early learning centers and parents, to increase student learning opportunities at school, at home and on the go with digital media. This transmedia project is designed to increase school readiness in math and literacy by offering teacher and parent training on educational technology.

As part of DEN, AETN will present the UAMS Head Start program with a technology lab that includes an iPad, Kindle Fire, PBS KIDS rug and pop-up banner so that students and parents have a safe place to learn using award-winning educational digital media from PBS KIDS, such as apps and children’s programs. DEN and parent night events were made possible by a Ready to Learn grant.

Parent night will include the following activity stations: Bedtime Buddies, emphasizing the importance of reading to children at bedtime; Cooking Together, illustrating how to create healthy habits by cooking with children; Digital Education at Home, teaching parents how to load educational apps to mobile devices; and photos with Clifford the Big Red Dog.

DEN Parent Night Schedule

When: Thursday, Nov. 29, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Who: AETN education staff will be on hand to discuss the DEN project and how parents can help increase school readiness with technology.

For additional information, contact Tiffany L. Verkler, AETN promotions supervisor, at (501) 682-4157 or tverkler@aetn.org.