A Raceland school has become the second in the area to launch an early childhood learning program with the help of Toyota and the United Way of Northeast Kentucky. Campbell Elementary has received a $10,000 grant to begin a “born learning” academy. Crabbe Elementary in Ashland last year received a similar award.
Toyota’s Helen Carroll says the program takes aim at the fact that, according to the State Board of Education, three out of four Kentucky children are not prepared for kindergarten. She says it’s an initiative that gives parents and caregivers tools they need to assist kids in the learning process.
“The focus is teaching these parents how to teach their children, what they need to do to get their kids ready for school. A lot of very simple, common sense stuff, but with parents, as busy as they are, maybe they don’t stop to think that a simple trip to the grocery store could provide a lot of education for their child.” --Helen Carroll
United Way of Kentucky President Doug Eberhart says turning everyday interactions into teachable moments is key to preparing youngsters for success in school. Monthly workshops will be held to explain the “born-learning” program to parents. The first workshop takes place at Campbell Elementary on Tuesday, September 10th beginning at 5:30pm.