United Way Program Offers Tips by Text to Reinforce Learning at Home
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg launched Ready4K, a text-message information service that shares tips for local families to use to help kids from birth to nine years old grow and learn.
Ready4K is a free, evidence-based family-engagement program that shares age-appropriate information with families via three text messages each week. Participants will receive age-appropriate facts, easy tips, and opportunities for growth to boost their child’s learning by building on existing family routines.
“We know that classroom learning is critical to the overall development of children, but parents and families play an equally important role in this process,” said James Taylor, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. “Over the past year, the resolve and resilience shown by parents – who have been thrust into juggling childcare, parenting and work, often simultaneously – has been remarkable. I believe Ready4K will be a welcome tool to help families bring additional learning resources to their children in an easy, accessible way.”
The program uses accessible technology to give families new and different ideas for engaging with their children’s learning at home. It also connects families with local community supports that can offer help in difficult situations. Ready4K offers messages in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, or English.
Ready 4K is free and available to any family in United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg’s service area, and the tips and information available through Ready4K are intended for families with children from birth to nine years old. The program aligns with United Way’s Steps to Success framework by keeping children on track to be ready for kindergarten and reading at grade-level by third grade.
For more information about Ready4K, visit: YourUnitedWay.org.
