Grant Funds Purchase Of Clear Face Masks For ETSU's Little Bucs Teachers

Johnson City TN

07 January, 2021

12:11 PM

Description

From East Tennessee State University: January 7, 2021 Infants, toddlers and pre-school children rely on facial cues from their teachers and even watch how their mouths move when words are formed. And while masks are essential during this global pandemic, a grant awarded to the Little Bucs Childcare Program at East Tennessee State University is making it possible for teachers to wear clear facial masks in the classrooms. Little Bucs is part of the Clemmer College and provides childcare for ETSU students. The masks are funded through a grant from the Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee. In addition to the masks, the center also has new coloring books and stories to share with the children that address the pandemic. "These educational materials put COVID in the child's perspective," said Beth Huber, on-site director for Little Bucs. "One of the important lessons deals with why it is important for people to wear masks." Huber says Little Bucs anticipates enrolling nearly 45 children of ETSU students this semester. The grant provides masks for some 30 teachers and graduate assistants at the center, which is part of the university's Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development. ### This press release was produced by East Tennessee State University. The views expressed are the author's own.