The United Way of Westchester and Putnam
How many scoops of formula does it take to fill 14 baby bottles? Believe it or not, calculating the answer can not only feed your baby, but provide him with an early lesson in multiplication.
The formula-making lesson is just one of several learning opportunities discussed in an engaging, new blog called “Two Small Steps – A Blog about Motherhood.”
It’s all part of Born Learning, The United Way of Westchester and Putnam’s campaign dedicated to helping parents and caregivers create fun learning opportunities for young children to help ensure school readiness.
“Two Small Steps is a real and humorous window into the life of a young mother who is juggling all the responsibilities of caring for twins. Her daily routines with Hannah and Issac provide the perfect opportunity to illustrate the very simple, natural concept behind Born Learning,’’ said Naomi Adler, President and CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
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 come into the world eager for interaction, and studies have demonstrated that children who receive lots of love and attention from the beginning learn better.
While families caring for young children do understand the importance of early years, many are uncertain of exactly what needs to be done to encourage early learning. The Born Learning campaign provides specific “doable” action steps that are fun and easy to do every day to support early learning. Here are some examples of Born Learning activities:
• When cooking, encourage your child to help. If a recipe calls for three eggs, ask her to get three eggs from the refrigerator. The child will feel like she’s helping and counting will help develop her math skills.
• Turn chores like laundry into learning activities. Ask your child to identify colors, help you separate lights and darks, or count the number of socks. These activities will help build math and cooperation skills.
• Turn an errand into a fun learning game that helps your child make sense of the surrounding world. If your child likes trucks, look for trucks as you drive and see who can yell “truck” first.
To find out more about Born Learning or to read “Two Small Steps – A Blog About Motherhood, visit United Way’s Born Learning website http://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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Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
