Most parents know that a child’s early years are formative and that their brain acts like a sponge. This is why early childhood education is critical in giving children a foundation for learning and setting them up for future social and academic success. According to the American Public University, a child’s early developmental stages bring rapid cognitive, emotional, and physical growth and pave the way for greater learning capabilities.
To help give our community’s children the best possible chance of a bright future, the Lycoming County United Way (LCUW), in partnership with the Early Learning Resource Center Region 7 (ELRC7) and other dedicated community organizations, is launching Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing across North Central Pennsylvania. This initiative empowers parents and caregivers to build early literacy and language skills in young children through everyday moments.
“Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing in North Central Pennsylvania isn’t just a program,” said Amber Newell, Director of Community Impact, Lycoming County United Way “it’s a movement to empower families, elevate educators, and create everyday moments of connection that shape a child’s future. We’re aiming to build a community where every child has what they need to help them thrive.”
Early literacy begins long before a child enters a classroom. Studies show that talking, reading, and singing with infants and toddlers dramatically improve vocabulary development and school readiness. Talking is Teaching is a national public awareness and action campaign that Too Small to Fail of the Clinton Foundation and Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy created to transform routine interactions such as bath time, grocery shopping, or riding in the car into powerful learning experiences.
With the support of a $15,000 grant LCUW received from Too Small to Fail, they are partnering with organizations across five counties to distribute books to children in early learning facilities and train Trusted Messengers who are community members who will encourage early learning interactions in daily life. These Trusted Messengers, including teachers, librarians, healthcare workers, and local leaders, will help parents and caregivers discover simple, effective ways to nurture a love for learning in their children.
On March 7, the first group of Trusted Messengers, 40 student ambassadors from 10 school districts, were trained through the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition’s “Youth Development Task Force.” These ambassadors will serve as guest readers in local preschool facilities, inspiring young children while gaining hands-on experience in the early childhood education field, a vital but critically understaffed profession.
“This is about more than books, it’s about giving every child the strongest possible start,” said Ron Frick, President/CEO at LCUW. “When parents and caregivers feel confident in their role as a child’s first teacher, we create a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities.”
LCUW’s key partners include ELRC 7, ELRC 7’s Local Leadership Council, the Lycoming County Youth Development Task Force, Leadership Lycoming, Bradford-Tioga Head Start, the Kiwanis Club of Bald Eagle and Nittany Valley, Sons of Italy (Lock Haven), and the Lock Haven Lions Club, among others. These partners have played a crucial role in bringing this initiative to life by securing and distributing books, coordinating volunteers, and funding the Clinton and Bradford County portions of PA One Book.
The idea to revitalize book distribution for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5) in the region stemmed from discussions with Carolyn Hawk, STEP Head Start Director and LCUW Board Vice-Chair. Inspired by PA One Book, LCUW is ensuring that each licensed provider in the ELRC Region 7 territory, spanning Lycoming, Clinton, and Tioga Counties, as well as Sullivan and parts of Bradford County, receives this year’s PA One Book Supplemental selection, Octopants by Suzy Senior. Research shows that access to physical books helps develop essential literacy skills and improves attention span and retention compared to digital format.
“This initiative was a perfect fit for the ELRC 7 Local Leadership Council, which brings together partners to work in a collaborative way to support early care and education professionals and families with children. The featured book is suggested reading for the Pennsylvania One Book Early Literacy Program. The Office of Early Learning and Child Development provides all certified childcare providers in Pennsylvania with a copy of the PA One Book. This initiative allowed the ELRC 7 to have a part in expanding the reach into children’s hands and home.” said Melissa Kerschner, Director at the Early Learning Resource Center, Region 7.
To further celebrate early learning, ELRC 7 coordinated Community Leaders as classroom guest readers during the Week of the Young Child (April 5-11). The festivities culminated at the 3rd Annual ELRC 7 Provider Appreciation Conference, with this year’s theme being The Power of Engagement. At the conference that occurred on April 11 and 12, ELRC 7 recognized the dedication of early educators and highlight the importance of community involvement in childhood development
LCUW also launched a social media campaign during the Week of the Young Child, sharing practical early literacy tips from Talking is Teaching to help parents incorporate learning into daily life. Families are encouraged to follow along and engage with these tips on LCUW’s social media platforms.
Families, caregivers, and community members who want to get involved can acquire resources, event details, and ways to support the initiative by contacting Amber Newell at the Lycoming County United Way at 570.323.9448 or unitedway@lcuw.org. Media inquiries are welcome, and interviews with program leaders and participants can be arranged upon request.
