United Way of Whiteside County has openings for its signature program, “Born Learning Academy,” to be held at Northside Elementary School, 520 N. Genesee Street, Morrison, IL, beginning Monday, April 1, 2019.
Born Learning is a series of six classes for parents of children ages birth to 5, and provides practical, user-friendly ideas that help parents, or other caregivers, become their child’s best first teacher. Sessions, designed for the entire family, include free childcare, giveaways–such as child-friendly tablets and gift cards–and free supper. They focus on showing how “everyday experiences” are valuable learning opportunities, that help prepare children for kindergarten. Sessions concentrate on relationship-building, language skills, nutrition and health, and how children learn.
United Way of Whiteside County’s Morrison sessions are April 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 25 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Class times are structured to ensure families are home in time for evening routines.
Born Learning launched locally last fall in Fulton, IL. Left-to-right are Kevin Anderson, UWWC Board Member and 2018 Annual Campaign Chairman; Pam Martinez, UWWC Director of Programs and Services; Micah House and Larissa Norem, Fulton Born Learning graduates.
If you would like to register, volunteer, donate, or need more information about Born Learning, call United Way of Whiteside County at 815-625-7973. Sign up online at www.uwwhiteside.org or stop by Northside Elementary School for a registration form. Signup deadline is Friday, March 22, 2019. Class size is 20 families, so sign up now.
“We are ecstatic to kick off yet another important initiative for children in Morrison,” said Diana Verhulst, CEO of United Way of Whiteside County. This initiative will strengthen our relationship with Morrison children who are already benefiting from our United Way’s educational offerings, such as its long-standing book giveaway program, L.I.F.E., and our free summer lunch program, Verhulst said.
Jennifer Wolf, of Morrison Community Preschool, will lead the classes. Wolf brings years of preschool teaching to Born Learning. “Early childhood education is a vital step toward lifelong learning, and I’m excited to bring this opportunity to our community families,” Wolf said. Other nonprofits in Morrison are collaborating, including Morrison Community Day Care, Morrison Community Unit School District #6, and the Regional Office of Education.
More about Born Learning
United Way of Whiteside County’s Born Learning program began in 2018. It is funded in large part by Fulton resident Rosemary Huisingh, who previously partnered with television station WQPT in the Quad Cities to bring Scratch Jr. Coding classes to Riverbend Elementary School. Huisingh has entered a new partnership with United Way of Whiteside County, to help bring Born Learning to all of Whiteside County. Twenty families can enroll in each academy. Space is limited to ensure ease of participation.
United Way strives to meet parents where they are. That is the philosophy of the United Way Born Learning initiative, which has helped more than 15 million parents understand how to use everyday moments as learning moments. Founded in 2005 on an evidence-based curriculum, established by early childhood faculty at Northern Kentucky University, the workshops are led by trained professionals, usually teachers, principals, or other education staff. They are geared to adults, focusing on building relationships, children’s language skills, nutrition and health, and how children learn.
More than 600 United Ways and partner organizations have used Born Learning’s materials to help parents, families, and caregivers promote school readiness and literacy, and enlist business leaders and decision makers in the cause.
Data show that children whose families attend Born Learning Academies are more likely to graduate from high school and go on for additional education. The Born Learning Academy can do more than strengthen your community’s school readiness efforts. It can also help your school partners engage families before children start kindergarten.