Talk, Read, Sing: Columbia
The Early Literacy and Learning Network of Columbia County is a collaborative between Columbia Opportunities and the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, with funding from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. We support families with young children as well as community organizations that work with families and children.
Our goal is to increase literacy skills in young children, starting at birth, so they’re ready to learn in Kindergarten. We believe that parents and families are a child’s first and most important teachers and that together we can create a generation of readers and lifelong learners.
Our goal is to SIGNIFICANTLY increase the number of infants and children being read to, by working with parents, caregivers, organizations and schools in Columbia County, NY.
1 in 4 children in the US grow up without learning to read
32 million American adults are illiterate
Activities Include
Early Literacy training and workshops.
County-wide preschool read-a-thon.
Work with families at home and elsewhere to help them help their children to love to learn and love to read.
Collaborate with local agencies, schools, preschools and daycares to increase early literacy awareness and access to resources.
Summer programs, including “Jump Into Reading”.
In January 2020, local business and community leaders, led by Columbia Opportunities, Inc. and The Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood’s Early Literacy and Learning Network announced their participation in a national campaign to boost the early learning and brain development of children from birth through age five. The “Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing” campaign is part of Too Small to Fail, the early childhood initiative of the Clinton Foundation. The ELLN is funded by a grant through Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Research shows that during the first years of life a child’s brain forms one million new neural connections every second and absorbs information like a sponge. This is why simple, everyday interactions with young children-like describing objects seen during a walk or car ride, singing songs, or telling stories- can better prepare them for school, and lay a strong foundation for their social emotional development, health and lifelong learning.
“Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing” aims to give parents and caregivers the tools to talk, read and sing more with their young children from birth, increasing meaningful interactions that are critical to healthy brain and language development.
Talking is Teaching also aims to transform everyday places where families spend time into language-rich environments. Laundromats, barber shops and waiting rooms around the county will display Talking is Teaching posters and creative materials that encourage families to talk, read and sing while they engage in everyday activities. A community-wide, multi-media campaign will reinforce these messages through billboards and posters in local community organizations and agencies.
