‘BornLearning’ starts early

Parental encouragement gives pre-school-age children an advanced start at success in school.
That’s the most important message of the “Born Learning” program, a national initiative created by United Way of America and being established in Union County.
Parents and caregivers in Union County will soon have access to Born Learning’s easy-to-read materials that suggest activities that will enhance learning for young children, help parents create quality, learning opportunities for children and to prepare children to enter school.
“ We want parents to consider that early learning doesn’t start at kindergarten, it starts at birth,” said Holly Zweizig, Director of Childhood Behavioral Health for the Council for Union County Families.
Simple, everyday activities are the start of memorable learning experiences. The information is extremely helpful for busy, working parents who aren’t sure how to encourage early learning or feel they don’t have time to do what it takes to help their child succeed in school.
“ As a first-time parent of a 19-month-old, I’m finding dozens of useful tips in these materials myself,” said Dave Bezusko, Campaign & PR Director for United Way of Union County. “Ideas such as nutritional tips, how to watch for milestones at various stages in development, and games to play. The program is very convenient for a busy, working parent.”
BornLearning promotes “Learning on the Go” – activities that parents can do at anytime, anywhere. For example, when taking children to the grocery store, parents can talk to a child in advance about a special thing that she or he can buy at the market. They are then encouraged to look for it, like a treasure hunt. This helps a child learn to be a good observer.
“ It’s very difficult to find time, but the payoff for helping these children grow into very competent literary users is too important,” said Carla Steele, Kindergarten-6th Grade Curriculum, Assessment, and Professional Development Coordinator for the Marysville Exempted Village School District.
“ It’s not just the reading and writing piece, but also speaking and listening. They’re all connected together as a system,” said Steele. “With our son, Noah, getting ready to go to kindergarten next fall, we’re always looking for resources that we can use to help our children,” said Dee Brown, a Marysville mother of two.
Make the day fun and a lasting learning experience to boot. Spur and exercise the child’s visual ability by charging them to be the first to spot a truck.
“ Preparing your child for school doesn’t have to be about worksheets and flashcards. Parents can foster imagination, problem-solving, creativity, and language development in everyday moments in the car, at home, or even at the store,” said Zweizig.
“The BornLearning materials help you as a parent to relate better to your young child,” Bezusko said. “I’ve observed things about my son that I read about and it’s helped me to enhance my relationship with him. That’s something on which you can’t put a price.”
Research shows that much of a child’s ability to transition successfully into a kindergarten classroom hinges on foundations established during the formative years at home. As the Marysville School District enrolls children through the kindergarten registration process in May, officials say that children come to school at various levels of development.
“ We clearly know that the kids who enter kindergarten who we consider ‘language-rich’ have been engaged in a lot of talk at home in conversations with peers and adults,” said Steele.
Children who have received learning stimulation prior to entering kindergarten are aware of the various forms of stimulation and ready to move forward. “They’ve been asked questions. They’ve been read to. They can pick out their favorite cereal in the grocery store. They are aware of how books work in terms of left-to-right directionality. They’re hearing sounds through stories and rhyming games. There’s a strong correlation between children’s language and literacy development,” added Steele.
Created in 2005 by the United Way of America, the Born Learning initiative is being used in more than 350 communities in the country.
Established in Union County as a partnership between the Council for Union County Families, Honda of America, Mfg., and the United Way of Union County, Born Learning materials are to be distributed throughout the community.
A $14,000-grant by Honda will make posters, playbooks, fliers and parent guide books available to parents with children ages newborn to age six. Parents can also read the materials at either of the Web sites, www.
BornLearning.org or www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org.
“ There’s a big need in our community for a county-wide focus on early childhood education. With all of us joining hands together and bringing our expertise to the table, it’s very doable and very powerful,” said Steele.

Edited by UCP staff.