A local literacy campaign created by two Eastern Washington University faculty members will be featured in Spokane Transit Authority bus shelters in an effort to promote conversations about childhood language development.
Targeting children five years and younger, Project ELLO (Everyday Language and Literacy Opportunities) encourages language skill development through visuals in everyday places, like the grocery store or bus plaza.
In celebration of this partnership, Eastern Washington University and the STA hosted a launch party on Nov. 1 at the STA Plaza in downtown Spokane.
Created by EWU faculty Shanna Davis, Ph.D. and assistant professor of psychology, and Allison Wilson, Ph.D. and assistant professor of early childhood education, ELLO originally launched in September 2017 at the Grocery Outlet in Airway Heights. Sonja Durr, a lecturer in EWU’s Design Program, has come on to help the creation team update the visuals through one of her courses.
Eastern’s collaboration with the STA means individuals can now expect to see colorful signs decorating a variety of Spokane bus shelters, prompting conversation through open-ended questions like “Where does the bus go at night?”
“Parents might not think of a bus shelter as an engaging environment,” Davis said. “Our goal is to take areas that aren’t necessarily considered ‘kid spaces’ and make them a little more stimulating.”
Starting Nov. 1, parents are encouraged to keep a lookout for signs at surrounding Spokane and Cheney bus shelters.
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