About Us : Way To Grow in the News : ECFE-Way To Grow Reading Show

This article is taken from the Spring 2006 ECFE Gazette

"ECFE-Way To Grow Reading Show" On Hmong Radio

Each Monday at 8 pm and Wednesday at noon, Hmong families from all over the metro area can tune in to "The ECFE-Way To Grow Reading Show" The program can be heard on air or via the Hmong MN Radio web site.  Who do families tune in?  It's a fun way to hear a children's book being read in both English and Hmong.  Following the reading, the staff share information and ideas on language development that parents can use with their children.  Also, at the end of the program, the first ten families to call in are mailed a copy of the book that was read on the show.  English/Hmong books are provided in cooperation with Way To Grow and through the Minnesota Humanities Commission.

Way To Grow Staff Profile

Pa Nou Xiong

Family Resource Advocate

Before coming to Way To Grow over a year ago, Pa Nou, who is fluent in Hmong, taught K-2 ESL in North Carolina.  Pa Nou lends her teaching talents not only to helping her participants prepare for kindergarten, but also to the "ECFE -Way To Grow Reading Show" on Hmong Radio.

This radio program is fairly new, having started in mid-February.  A new episode of the Reading Show is recorded every other week.  Currently, seven individual program have been recorded.  The "production studio" is ECFE's Parent Ed. room at Lucy Craft Laney school.  The ECFE/WTG staff puts together a script for each program and selects the children's book.  ECFE staff member Ron Gustafson handles program recording and works with Hmong Radio on production and scheduling.  (Recording recently moved to a studio location.)

Last fall a report was issued through the University of Minnesota noting a strong need for more Early Education programming for metro Hmong Families.  Thanks to the efforts and creativity of Mpls. ECFE and Way To Grow staff, this valuable new resource has been created, promoting early literacy & school readiness.  New programs will be recorded through the end of the school year.  To access ECFE/WTG audio archived programming online, go to www.hmongminnesotaradio.com.  Note: Hmong MN Radio broadcasts on the "SCA" band.  An SCA capable radio (owned by a large number of Hmong families) is required to hear the situation.  For more information please contact Hmong MN Radio.