SYCAMORE BEGINS PILOT PROGRAM IN U.S. — The pilot program for Six Bricks involved members of the Sycamore Stars program and at the Sycamore Youth Center, including adult training. Sycamore is the first in the United States to use the program and has become the first certified educator training site in the country. Students taking part in the pilot program learned through the bricks matters such as fractions and decimals. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — It is often said that big things come in small packages.

And in the case of the Sycamore Youth Center, big changes for the children of the Ohio Valley are arriving in the form of six colorful bricks.

The center has reached a historic milestone, officially becoming the first certified educator training site in the United States for Six Bricks.

Six Bricks is an innovative, research-based program that uses six brightly-colored LEGO DUPLO bricks as a simple, hands-on tool to help children develop essential life and learning skills.

While the program has long been a staple for educators overseas, Steubenville is now the home base for its growth in America, reflecting a deep commitment to the community. Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center, explained how the center has always been focused on bringing meaningful, practical tools to those who work with children and families.

Bauman shared that becoming the first certified educator training site in the nation reflects a commitment to evidence-based practices that help children thrive socially, emotionally and academically.

The upcoming training sessions, scheduled for the afternoons of 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Sycamore center, are being coordinated by Michelle Clum through a collaborative effort among the nonprofit organizations the Ohio Valley Youth Network and Six Bricks USA.

Workshop certificates will be issued to those who complete the five-hour training program.

This training is organized for faculty, staff, parents and community members.

Until recently, anyone in the United States wanting to be certified in this method had to seek training from facilitators outside the country.

However, following a successful pilot program and a full year of research conducted in the United States, the results spoke for themselves, showing that 95 percent of students improved in what experts call “SNaPCLaP” skills.

These skills represent a child’s total development, including social-emotional growth, numeracy or math skills, perceptual development, creativity, literacy and physical movement. In addition to the gains seen in students, teachers involved in the research reported the lessons were remarkably easy to store, prepare and adapt to the individual abilities of each child.

The lessons fit comfortably within a standard class period, while keeping children excited and engaged in their work.

Theresa Paterra, one of the first six certified facilitators in the country, will serve as the facilitator for the Steubenville training.

Paterra emphasized the program is not just for the classroom, noting Six Bricks opens the door to hands-on learning for people of all ages and abilities.

Educators, therapists, healthcare workers and youth leaders can all use these strategies with learners, who can range in age from 1 to 101.

Through the partnership with the Ohio Valley Youth Network, 12 participants are expected to complete their certified training during these January sessions, with plans for more advanced Level 4 training already in the works for a future date.

For those who are curious about how six simple bricks can change a learner’s perspective, free “taster” sessions are available.

Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or a community leader, the Sycamore Youth Center invites you to see what all the excitement is about.

For information or to register, contact Clum at (626) 905-0712 or send an e-mail to hello@sixbricksusa.org.