As parents, grandparents or child care providers, you have the awesome opportunity to help our children "learn how to learn” and develop a lifelong love of learning!

When an infant shows excitement over pictures next to his or her crib, or a toddler turns a page in a board book, or a preschooler recognizes the first letter on a store sign, each is demonstrating early learning skills. Reading and talking to your baby from birth is the best way to prepare your child for school. In the first few years, children learn more and at a faster pace than at any other time in life. You can help to shape your child's school success and future through the kinds of experiences you provide. You are your child's first and most important teacher!

As part of our Success by 6 Program, we offer Mother Goose on the Loose!   Mother Goose on the Loose is an award-winning early-literacy program for children from birth to age five provided in the Wabash Valley through a grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways courtesy of the Lilly Endowment.   Click on the link above to learn more!

You can help your child get ready to learn from the minute he or she is born! Share these six basic activities with your child on a daily basis, starting at birth, to help your child grow into a happy, healthy, lifelong learner.

• Talk & Listen
• Read Together
• Encourage Creativity
• Play & Explore
• Develop Healthy Habits
• Encourage Responsibility

TALK & LISTEN
Talking and listening to your child are the first steps in building communication skills that will later develop into strong language and reading skills. Talk with your child frequently throughout each day and take the time to listen to what your child is saying to you.

READ TOGETHER
Reading with your child is fundamental to his language and intellectual development. Reading also helps you build a strong, close relationship with him that benefits his learning and encourages a lifelong love of reading. Read to your child starting at birth and make it a daily routine.

ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY
Give your child as many creative outlets as possible to stimulate her mind. Provide tools that allow for self expression, exploration, imagination and sharing ideas with others. Valuing your child's creativity will encourage her to be open to new ideas and eager to learn.

PLAY & EXPLORE
Your child naturally likes to explore, investigate and experiment, and she does this by playing. Be sure your child has adequate time to play, because play encourages imagination, creativity, social skills and healthy esteem, all of which are required to ensure her happiness, success and lifelong love of learning.

DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS
Helping your child develop healthy habits at an early age gives him a good start in life and lessens the chances that he will later have serious health problems or trouble learning. Be sure your child has nutritious food, adequate sleep, safe places to play, daily activities that establish routines, and regular medical care.

ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBILITY
Your child develops a sense of responsibility by taking care of himself and his toys, by completing a task well done. Help your child learn personal and social developmental skills so he will be able to understand and manage his feelings, interact with other people, and express himself.