Designed to support parents in their critical role as a child’s first teacher, the United Way Born Learning Academy is a series of parent workshops that provide early learning tools and practices for parents and caregivers of children under age 5 as well as expectant parents.
Research has proven that 90 percent of a person’s brain is developed by age 5. The six monthly workshops are free to participants and they show parents and caregivers ways to provide early learning opportunities anytime, anywhere. Ordinary activities, like doing laundry, riding in the car and going to the grocery store can be turned into eye-opening experiences for children. For instance, folding clothes becomes a game of matching socks and a trip to the grocery store morphs into adventure when a child can identify colors and shapes of items a parent asks them to locate in the aisle. These tasks help children develop problem solving and planning skills, as well as memory.
Now in its fourth year of a five-year, $1 million investment, Toyota will fund the 11 new academies plus 23 veteran academies statewide. With additional funding from Kentucky’s Race to the Top federal grant, and in partnership with Kentucky’s United Ways, including United Way of Paducah/McCracken County, there are now 104 Born Learning Academies in Kentucky.
“Children have innate curiosity, which blossoms with involvement of parents and caregivers – who are their child’s first teachers,” said Monique Zuber, Executive Director, United Way of Paducah/McCracken County. “This program helps parents and caregivers use everyday moments to enhance learning and to provide a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond.”
The workshops at Clark Elementary School are free and include a meal for participating families to enjoy together. Workshops will be from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Clark Elementary School, 3401 Buckner Lane, on the following dates:
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 Thursday, Dec. 17, 2016
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016
Graduation: March, 17, 2016
For more information and to register, contact Robyn West at 270-444-5730. For more information about the program, visit the link below.
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