Did you know that singing, reading aloud and turning everyday activities into fun learning games can help young children build a foundation for success in school, work and life? Research shows that 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years of life. That’s why United Way of Central Florida is working with partners, schools, child care providers, preschools and after school care providers to help children start school ready to succeed.

Early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and life. The quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life helps shape how their brain develops. For example, reading with young children, singing, and having reading material in the home is proven to boost pre-literacy skills. Children who aren’t reading proficiently by 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out.

That’s why United Way of Central Florida is working with our school districts to offer the ReadingPals program to kindergarten students across central Florida. We also offer services through our Early Childhood Education Initiative to give children the success they need early in their development.

And results are encouraging. Students who enter kindergarten passing the school readiness assessment are more likely to learn to read at grade level, pass 3rd grade standardized tests and graduate on time.

But there’s so much more to do. There are many children in this community that still need that kind of support. You can make a difference, by volunteering in our ReadingPals program you can see first-hand the effect that your encouragement and support can have on students in our neighborhoods.

We’re preparing for the next school year! Contact us to get involved.

Learn more.