little girl We know what happens in a child’s early years matters – for success in life and for school readiness. Yet many parents and caregivers don’t know exactly what actions to take to prepare young children for school, or feel like they don’t have time to do what’s needed. United Way and our partners have formed an unprecedented partnership around Born Learning, to bring together a nationwide community impact network to help parents and caregivers take action to provide quality early learning opportunities for young children.

What children learn during their first five years depends on the experiences they have each and every day. This is both our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity. By promoting awareness, education and action, Born Learning takes early learning research and translates it into activities and educational tools parents and caregivers can use without changing their daily routine.

To start teaching your child today, plan a trip to one of our Born Learning Trails in Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo or Oceano Elementary School. Each interactive set of colorful signs suggests fun activities for adults and children to do together in a beautiful and stimulating setting. To continue facilitating your child’s learning at home and beyond, download any of the user-friendly materials below.

Bornlearning Flash Film - A Tale of Two Children

Early Childhood Development Video Series created by the Ad Council

Laundry	Piggies
Groceries	Signs
ATM

Parent Tools:

Acrobat Reader Required

playbook

The Playbook
Rules and guidelines to help you make the most of your child’s playtime.

The Playbook in Spanish, click here

Babysmart

Are You Baby Smart?
Take this short quiz to test your knowledge about some of the things you can do to enhance your interactions with your infant.

For Are You Baby Smart in Spanish, click here

checklist

Child Care Checklist
When searching for a compatible caregiver for your child, leave no stone unturned. Refer to this checklist when visiting child care centers.

For Child Care Checklist in Spanish, click here

meal ideas

Meal Ideas for Young Children

For Meal Ideas for Young Children in Spanish, click here

Fun with songs

Fun and Games with Songs

For Fun and Games with Songs in Spanish, click here

Sleep diary

Sleep Diary
Keeping a sleep diary helps you get a clearer picture of your baby’s seemingly unpredictable and disorganized sleep habits.

For the Sleep Diary in Spanish, click here

Activities for dad

Everyday Activities for Dad
So often, families divide child care responsibilities along gender lines. The following hints are designed to help dads conquer their fears of the unknown and go where they’ve rarely gone before.

For Everyday Activities for Dad in Spanish, click here

family history project

Family History Projects
The following projects are perfect starting points for passing on your history and having fun with your grandchildren.

For Family History Projects in Spanish, click here

Your Child @ Series:

Highlights of what’s happening at different stages of your child’s development…

Acrobat Reader Required

Your Child @ Birth (English)	Your Child @ Birth (Spanish)
Your Child @ 2 Months (English)	Your Child @ 2 Months (Spanish)
Your Child @ 4-6 Months (English)	Your Child @ 4-6 Months (Spanish)
Your Child @ 6-12 Months (English)	Your Child @ 6-12 Months (Spanish)
Your Child @ 12-18 Months (English)	Your Child @ 12-18 Months (Spanish)
Your Child @ 18-24 Months (English)	Your Child @ 18-24 Months (Spanish)
Your Child @ 24-36 Months (English)	Your Child @24-36 Months (Spanish)
Your Child @ 3 Years (English)	Your Child @ 3 Years (Spanish)
Your Child @ 4 Years (English)	Your Child @ 4 Years (Spanish)
Your Child @ 5 Years (English)	Your Child @ 5 Years (Spanish)

Understanding Children:
Fact Sheets

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Recipes for Learning:

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Recipes for Learning-Infants (English)	Recipes for Learning-Infants (Spanish)
Recipes for Learning-Toddlers (English)	Recipes for Learning-Toddlers (Spanish)
Recipes for Learning-Preschoolers (English)	Recipes for Learning-Preschoolers (Spanish)

Friends, Family & Neighbor Brochure

Kid Basics:

Acrobat Reader Required

Series of Nine Cards providing quick facts and recommended action steps:

For Spanish Version of Kid Basics, click here

5 Key Ideas Posters:

This poster highlights key messages about creating a nurturing environment for a young child, which is the key to early learning. This is ideal for child care centers.

Acrobat Reader Required

National Website: