Life skills kits make learning fun

A new section in the Read for Life office now offers special hands-on learning in areas like writing a check, counting change and ordering a meal at a restaurant. These kits also offer a way to have fun while learning, according to Read for Life Coordinator Kristy Szkudlarek, who came up with the idea. The office is located on the bottom level of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. "When I first started nine years ago, one of the things there was a need for was that we had international students and they really wanted to know specific things about our culture and our holidays," she said. "We didn't really have books or materials for that." So Szkudlarek made up conversation kits with themes like different foods, holidays and the tooth fairy. "They are very well used and we switch them out each month," she said. "And I've always wanted to take that program further." Szkudlarek got the chance in June when Read for Life received a generous donation that enabled her to create what she calls life skills kits. While she's still working on them, some of the kits are already being used by international students and others enrolled in the program. Some of the packs involve financial literacy so students can learn about and experiment with writing checks, using a credit card, understanding taxes, and learning how to read ads and use coupons, she said. "There's so much that we need to know that may not have been taught in school," she said. "I keep hearing people say, 'I wish they would teach this in school.' We may have a generation of people that may not have known how to do that." Over the summer, Szkudlarek said members of the library staff brought in empty boxes and bags from grocery story items. "We have a little market in the office," she said. "The students can read the food labels. They have price tags, so they'll be able to budget. You have $100. Here's what's on your grocery list. What can you buy?" Szkudlarek especially likes to show different brands of the same item, such as macaroni and cheese. "They can compare prices, compare directions. Compare this one that has more calories," she said. "Then there's the prices. So we get to compare and contrast all different kinds of things." Students also learn about over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and cold medicine. By learning to read the instructions, Szkudlarek said they can find out about the differences in medicine for adults and children, and which size is a better value depending on quantity and price. "The idea is being able to read it and understand it with their tutor so they can take that knowledge and apply it at home," she explained. "It's a fun way to learn and I think it's very useful, especially for people new to the country who may feel overwhelmed." There are items to help visual learners as well, Szkudlarek said. "A lot of our folks are visual learners," she said. "And you know when you sit down and look at a text book, it's all words and its overwhelming." For example, there's a change box filled with play money that looks almost real. Students can use this to practice paying for items and making change, she said. The use of different colored measuring cups helps students more easily understand measurements and fractions. Red represents one cup, while two triangular pink half cups fit inside. There are a total of nine colors and measurements, Szkudlarek said. "So you can see that 1/5 is going to go into the cup five times," she said. There will be 12 kits to start, she said, including kits for a checkbook, credit card, ads/coupons, medicine, food labels, taxes, signs/symbols, labels/packages, bank account, budget, insurance and understanding forms. Tutors can check out different kits to work with their student. Szkudlarek is excited to see the project finally come to fruition. "I felt like there was a need," she said. "Just like the conversation kits, there's a need for it. And I think our students will really benefit. I think it will make a difference, and it's a fun way to learn." Read for Life offers free one-on-one tutoring to adults living or working in Hancock County who want to improve their literacy skills. There are currently 30 students matched and meeting with a tutor. There are also several tutors and students waiting for matches, Szkudlarek said. The next tutor training session will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9. Lunch is provided. Registration is required by emailing readforlife@findlaylibrary.com People can also provide financial help for the Life Skills Library by donating to the public library and earmarking the donation to Read for Life. A fund supporting the entire program has been set up with The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. Wolf: 419-427-8419