Des Moines is one of the cities that’s the focus of a national campaign designed to help kids learn at an earlier age. United Way of Central Iowa president Shannon Cofield unveiled the plan called “Born Learning” at a Des Moines childcare center.
She says they know what happens in a child’s early years matter for success in school life and readiness. But she says many parents and caregivers don’t know what steps to take to get a child ready. She says there’s often a big gap in what we know and what we do in childhood development.
Cofield says the United Way is one of the agencies that’s part of the 30-million dollar national campaign. She says Des Moines is one of 10 “enhanced sites” throughout the country that through advertising, parent education and advocacy, the campaign will help parents and caregivers notice and take action on everyday learning opportunities for children.
Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack says she supports the program. She says it’s about communication and all the different partners around the state and around the country that’re concentrating on early childhood education.
Vilsack says collaboration is one of the key aspects of the plan. She says it is so important as we all go about the work that we do that we work together to make it all happen. The program provides examples that parents and caregivers can use to talk to their children and help them learn. For more information, surf to: www.bornlearning.org.