LAUP Launches Vocabulary-building Toolset to Close 30-Million Word Gap between Low- and High-Income Children
Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) April 13, 2015 -- On Monday, April 13, LAUP will launch its “Take Time. Talk!” tool, as part of the rollout of its Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America commitment. The vocabulary-building tool, Take Time. Talk! Giving Children the Words They Need, will help parents and caregivers increase the number of positive words that children, ages 0-5, hear each day.
Studies show that by the time children reach a mere three years old, a 30-million word gap exists between children of the lowest and highest income families. This refers to the number of words children are exposed to—well before they reach kindergarten.
LAUP and its partners are determined to combat this gap. The “Take Time. Talk!” tool offers demonstrations on how adults can talk more in-depth with their infants, toddlers and preschool-age children, whether at the grocery store, enjoying a meal, bath time and more.
“Every moment you spend with your child is a learning opportunity. We’re excited to empower families with something tangible that can eventually become second nature to them and their children,” says LAUP’s CEO Celia C. Ayala, Ph.D., who made LAUP’s CGI Commitment at the fourth annual CGI America meeting in June 2014.
The launch will take place at the Los Angeles Central Library, featuring a panel discussion with experts addressing the issue of the 30-million word gap, early vocabulary and family engagement. Expert panelists will include Dr. Anne Fernald, Director of the Center for Infant Studies at Stanford University; Dr. Ayala of LAUP; Alex Johnson, Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund-California; and Camille Maben, Executive Director of First 5 California. Esteemed education journalist Deepa Fernandes of KPCC/SCPR will moderate. The launch is scheduled to take place from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. followed by a luncheon.
LAUP's Take Time. Talk! Campaign has garnered national support, with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Too Small to Fail and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray confirmed to support the event via social media.
LAUP’s CGI America partners include First Book, Lakeshore, Unite for Literacy, PHFE WIC, California State Library, California Library Association, Families in Schools, and KLCS. Additionally, the commitment was shepherded by nationally preeminent word gap researchers, Dr. Dana Suskind of The University of Chicago and panelist, Dr. Fernald.
For more information on the “Take Time. Talk!” campaign, please visit http://www.laup.net/TakeTimeTalk.
About LAUP
LAUP is a nonprofit that funds, rates and raises the level of quality preschool programs throughout Los Angeles County by advancing teacher training and creating safe and nurturing early care and education environments. Since its inception 10 years ago, LAUP has provided quality preschool to more than 100,000 children, putting them on the road to success for kindergarten and beyond.
Claudia Sarmiento, LAUP, http://www.laup.net, +1 213-458-4809, [email protected]
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