United Way of Westchester & Putnam Unveils "Born Learning" Mini-Trails at Local Shopping Malls

PR Log (Press Release) – Dec 17, 2009 – The United Way of Westchester and Putnam has recently unveiled its new Born Learning mini-trails at The Westchester and the Galleria Mall in White Plains, as well as the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights.  These scaled-down versions of the larger Born Learning Trails are a series of interactive free-standing poster screens that provide parents and caregivers with simple, effective examples for turning ordinary experiences into learning opportunities.  

The Born Learning Trail is an extension of the United Way’s Born Learning campaign, which was recently launched at the Child Care Council of Westchester’s “2009 Infant and Toddler Teacher Conference,” in White Plains.  This public engagement campaign shows parents and caregivers how to stimulate the mental development of their infants or toddlers, while also helping them to build a stronger relationship with their child.  The program is also designed to ensure school readiness and continued success throughout the child’s life.

Some tips provided in the Born Learning trail include:

•   Point to any letters you see around. Say the sound each letter makes.

•   Watch, listen and learn. See what your child looks at, talks about and does.

•   Is your child staring or pointing at something? Ask, “What do you see?”

More than 100 local United Way organizations across the county have embraced the Born Learning Trail as a way to turn everyday locations in their communities into engaging environments that support language and literacy development.

The Born Learning program is based on research indicating that children begin learning right from birth and that what they learn during their first five years depends on their every-day experiences.  Newborns enter the world eager for interaction, and studies have demonstrated that children who receive lots of love and attention from the beginning learn better. The newborn brain is especially interested in sounds, which are the building blocks of speech and language.  It’s essential that parents and caregivers let a baby hear their voices as much as possible.

Born Learning also fosters playtime with a parent or caregiver and encourages them to engage in “make-believe” and think creatively.  While children often learn the most when they interact with others, solitary play also gives a child time to process and understand everything that he or she has been doing.  

In the coming year, the Born Learning campaign will roll out information to the community via free advertising in local media outlets to create awareness of the program. The information will also be offered in both English and Spanish at the United Way’s headquarters at 336 Central Avenue in White Plains, and at the Child Care Council of Westchester’s headquarters at 313 Central Avenue in Scarsdale.  Printed materials will be available, one per person, and online through the United Way of Westchester and Putnam’s website at www.uwwp.org.

The United Way of Westchester and Putnam is a local organization whose mission is to create opportunities for a better life for all in the areas of education, income and health, resulting in lasting and positive changes for those who live and work here.

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