|
Michigan
Association of United Ways newsletter, June 2005
On June 15, 2005, the Executive Director of the United Way of Wexford
County, Diane Dykstra, along with many community partners, launched the
Born Learning campaign. The launch was held at the Downtown Cadillac City
Park. The event was described in the brochure as, "Learn about a new
community initiative to help parents and caregivers of young children gain
tools and tips to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities."
The event included:
* Free Born Learning 'Kid Basics' kits to all caregivers
* Child activity demonstrations
* Story telling
* Parenting and childcare information
* Ranger Rick will have a tent set up and show parents how to use the
outdoors as an opportunity to learn.
In an interview with Mardi Suhs, from the local newspaper, the Cadillac
News, Diane said, "This is a three-year campaign. We are going to help
parents and the community focus on the importance of early childhood
learning. Born Learning is the name of a national initiative between the
United Way and the National Ad Council, who creates and donates ads for
public awareness. "
"One of the national impact agendas for the United Way is early childhood
success," Dykstra said. The reason this issue has moved to the forefront,
Dykstra continued, is the recent rash of kids being kicked out of
preschool."
"An emerging problem in our community and others," Dykstra explained, "is
that there are kids who are not able to handle preschool. It's new. That
never happened before." She also said that local school superintendents,
when surveyed, identified the No. 1 challenge they face is that kids are
not ready for school.
"Getting ready for school is an important factor to contribute to success
in school as a child and as an adult."
The goal is to help parents turn everyday events like bedtime, errands,
cooking and chores, into learning moments. That, in turn, will help with
school readiness and success.
"Another thing we have figured out," she said, "is the expense of how much
it will cost our society for not helping focus on young children and make
sure that they are successful in school. Maybe if we had started in the
young years, when most of their development takes place, maybe we can save
society."
To read the complete article in the Cadillac News, see below:
'Born Learning' kicking off in Cadillac City Park
Mardi Suhs, Cadillac News, June 14, 2005
CADILLAC - A community-wide initiative is being launched to help parents
turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.
The Wexford County United Way is partnering with everyone in the community
that works with young children.
"This is a three-year campaign," explained United Way Executive Director
Diane Dykstra. "We are going to help parents and the community focus on
the importance of early childhood learning."
"Born Learning" is the name of a national initiative between the United
Way and the National Ad Council, who creates and donates ads for public
awareness.
"One of the national impact agendas for the United Way is early childhood
success," Dykstra said.
The reason this issue has moved to the forefront, Dykstra continued, is
the recent rash of kids being kicked out of preschool.
"An emerging problem in our community and others," Dykstra explained, "is
that there are kids who are not able to handle preschool. It's new. That
never happened before." She also said that local school superintendents,
when surveyed, identified the No. 1 challenge they face is that kids are
not ready for school.
"Getting ready for school is an important factor to contribute to success
in school as a child and as an adult."
The goal is to help parents turn everyday events like bedtime, errands,
cooking and chores, into learning moments. That, in turn, will help with
school readiness and success.
"Another thing we have figured out," she said, "is the expense of how much
it will cost our society for not helping focus on young children and make
sure that they are successful in school. Maybe if we had started in the
young years, when most of their development takes place, maybe we can save
society."
Wednesday's event in the city park will include free ice cream and story
telling techniques by the Cadillac Wexford Library. Ranger Rick will have
a tent set up and show parents how to use the outdoors as an opportunity
to learn.
'Kid Basics' kits will be given to all caregivers. There will be other
child activity demonstrations.
More information can be found at
www.bornlearning.org.
|
