Pre‑K students at Heard‑Mixon Elementary now have a cozy, modern listening center designed just for early learners. Pre‑K teacher Kimberly Brewer received funding through an NEF Teacher Innovation Grant to replace her class’s outdated, nonfunctional listening area with a Tonies audio system and a full collection of companion books—giving her young readers an inviting space to build foundational literacy skills.
The new setup includes a Toniebox audio player, multiple story figurines, and comfortable seating that makes the area feel special and accessible for four‑year‑olds. Students can now listen to high‑quality read‑alouds, follow along in print, and practice essential early‑literacy skills such as tracking text from left to right and identifying parts of a book. Brewer selected titles that support both English and Spanish speakers, ensuring every child can engage meaningfully with stories.
Brewer shared her excitement after the materials arrived:
“We have set up our Tonies listening station and my class loves it! My favorite part is that my Spanish-speaking students can hear books in their native language! Thank you so much for this opportunity. I look forward to many years of using our new listening station!”
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