The United Way of NWGA, in collaboration with Dalton/Whitfield Family Connection, Dalton Public Schools, Dalton/Whitfield Public Library and the Early Childhood Initiative of NWGA, received a $14,000 Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy Community Coalition Grant. This grant aims to offer Basics Parent Classes to parents with children aged 0-5 years for DPS Summer Programs and Little Cats Programs.
The Basics Strategies are five science-based principles that promote the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children birth-5 years of age. Stephanie Hogshead, United Way Director of Education, and Malisa Pedro, Dalton/Whitfield Family Connection Coordinator, recently concluded a 5-week series of lessons for DPS parents on July 9th. Over 70 parents attended one or more of the Basics Classes this summer, with many attending all five sessions.
The reason all these partners are working to educate the community about these strategies is linked to the research about child development. The science around brain development shows that 80% of a child’s brain is developed by three years old, and 90% by their fifth birthday. Our goal is to educate parents of young children in the community on these five simple, but powerful strategies they can use in their interactions with their children to help to prepare them to be primed for school, and to succeed when they get there.
The Basics Strategies consist of:
- Maximizing Love and Minimizing Stress
- Talk, Sing, Point
- Count, Group, and Compare
- Explore Through Movement and Play
- Reading and Discussing Stories
These principles, developed by Basics, Inc. in Chicago, IL., aim to enhance brain development by involving the entire community and educating parents across various sectors such as health, childcare, education, faith-based organizations, businesses, and community support agencies.
Suzanne Harbin, as the Director of the Early Childhood Initiative of NWGA, has introduced the Basics Principles through her Birth to Eight Leadership Team. “In our community, where we have a large number of Mom’s with less than 12 years of formal education, it is vital that we take a Two Generation approach to our efforts – teaching both parents and children. The Basics provides an excellent framework for us to discuss the importance of early learning skills for children and their parents. The Basics helps parents realize that they are in fact their children’s best, first teacher,” stated Suzanne about this community initiative.
Various community agencies, beginning with United Way, have started to promote these strategies within the community. Dalton State College, in collaboration with the Housing Authority of Dalton, has organized parent workshops on these topics along with the United Way and Dalton/Whitfield Public Library. Future parent education classes are planned at the Whitfield County Health Department, Women’s Enrichment Center, and DPS Little Cats Programs for the upcoming year.
If any other agencies are interested in learning more about the Basics, they can contact Malisa Pedro, the Dalton/Whitfield Family Connection Coordinator. The Collaborative is aiming to educate the community on these strategies as part of their FY25 Annual Plan. We look forward to updating you on the collective work, and ultimately working towards our strategic goal of improving school success.