Initiatives

Born Learning

Speak up to let your community know the importance of early learning!

Wouldn’t it be great if every child in our community had a positive start in life and could look forward to a future full of opportunities?

Well, the Born Learning Campaign is designed to raise awareness to this important issue –a child’s early experiences are key to his or her future success, even before they begin school. Born Learning is a national United Way public engagement effort geared to provide parents and caregivers with the resources needed to create quality learning opportunities for young children. It stresses the role of the parent as the child’s first teacher. It’s surprising to see how you can turn everyday activities into fun learning opportunities! DID YOU KNOW that a common chore, such as laundry, can be educational for your child? They can learn colors just by helping you to sort socks! For more fun tips like this, visit: www.bornlearning.org

The Community Also Benefits!

Early childhood education is vital to strong schools and a strong economy. Quality early learning in the first few years provides a solid foundation for school success. Research shows that investing in early learning pays huge dividends later on – in reduced crime, fewer teen pregnancies, more high school graduates and more individual success in work and in life.

Local Efforts

Born Learning was selected by the Washington County School Readiness Collaboration and implemented locally through a partnership with United Way in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of early learning to improve school readiness.
In Washington County, 72% of kindergartners were fully ready for school, according to the 2008-09 Maryland Model for School Readiness data. This is an increase of 3% over the previous year - hopefully this keeps trending upward. Materials have been distributed to a wide variety of organizations, including Pre-K centers, elementary schools, Washington County Health Department and libraries.

SRC Partners

• APPLES for Children
• Bright Horizons
• Early Intervention
• Easter Seals
• Family Center
• Hagerstown Community College Children’s Learning Center

• Head Start
• Health Department
• Judy Center
• Public School System
• Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP)
• Washington County Free Library

Born Learning Fest

For the past two years, United Way of Washington County and the School Readiness Collaboration have coordinated a Born Learning Fest. Over 500 children, parents, grandparents and caregivers attended the Fest, which was held at University Plaza in downtown Hagerstown. The goal of the Fest was to provide parents and caregivers with ideas on how they can turn every day activities into ways they can enhance their child’s early learning experiences. Among these activities were several educational games , crafts, music, dress-up area – all designed to be interactive between a child and their parents. Books were also given to each child who attended.

Born Learning Trail

In Fall 2009, United Way is launching Washington County’s first Born Learning Trail! This unique learning tool is a series of 10 fun outdoor games posted on signs. They are designed to boost children’s language and literacy skills. United Way is proud to partner with the City of Hagerstown and PNC Bank to make these trails possible. The first Trail will be installed in Pangborn Park and the second in Wheaton Park.

Keep checking United Way’s Events Section to see when other Trails will be opening in Washington County!

If you’d like to see what Born Learning resources are available in Washington County, please call: (301) 739-8200 x26. You can also visit: www.bornlearning.org for other tips and information.