Innovate

Innovate

From laundromats to playgrounds, grocery stores to family courts, we’ve developed new and unconventional ways to surround families with early language and literacy opportunities. Our unique approach channels innovation and tests new approaches to create models that can be adapted and scaled.

Transforming Laundromats: Together, in partnership with the LaundryCares Foundation, we’ve developed tools and resources that create playful, literacy-rich “Family Read, Play & Learn” spaces for children and families inside laundromats. We also have created literacy programming with library partners, and to date, more than 5,000 laundromats have received ready-to-post signage, toolkits, and parent education materials.

Reimagining Playgrounds & Outdoor Spaces: More than 700 playgrounds across the country feature our signage and prompts for parents to promote language-rich conversations during playtime as part of our partnership with Landscape Structures, one of the world’s leading playground manufacturers.

Creating Early Learning Opportunities in Public Agencies: We are working with the National WIC Association and several state agencies to create early learning environments in waiting rooms for public services — including clinics, family courts, and other social service agencies.

Surrounding Families with Community Messages: Our state-wide campaigns with the Michigan Department of Education and the New York State Council on Children and Families deploy trusted messengers and printed campaign materials to hundreds of locations across both states.

Strengthening Early Childcare Centers: More than 5,000 Head Start, YMCA and United Way early childhood educators across 20 states have completed our Strive for 5 program, a comprehensive professional development curriculum that provides digital tools and training to strengthen the quality of early learning environments. The initiative was developed in partnership with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the National Head Start Association and the National Association of Family Child Care and provides continuing education credits from the Council for Professional Recognition.