Fight Summer Slide with United Way’s Free Literacy Calendar
MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Studies indicate that students lose the knowledge equivalent of one month of instruction per year due to summer learning loss. United Way of Northern New Jersey Success By 6 is helping parents combat this summer slide with a free calendar that promotes literacy. Featuring bright children’s artwork, the calendar offers daily ideas tied to reading, creating arts and crafts projects or taking part in a related activity.
“During the summer months, parents have a lot more hours to fill with activities for their kids,” said United Way of Northern New Jersey Education Impact Area Director Michelle Roers. “This calendar helps keep the learning going in a fun, engaging way.”
The Family Learning Calendar is available online by going to www.UnitedWayNNJ.org and clicking on the “Summer’s Here” box.
The calendar features a word of the week that families can discuss as well suggested activities to reinforce the words. Each week also sees age-appropriate book recommendations. During the week of August 19, for example, children will learn about the word picnic by reading books, planning a picnic and making a paper cutout picnic basket.
“Reading throughout the year is always important but it’s particularly key to keep the reading habit going when school is out during the summer months,” Roers said.
United Way Success By 6 is a coalition of community volunteers, child care center directors, parents and nonprofit agencies committed to ensuring that children enter kindergarten prepared for school and life. The coalition is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of early childhood development and advocating for public policies to improve young children’s lives.
United Way is seeking sponsors to print the calendar, which would help ALICE and families in poverty who may not have access to computers on a daily basis. Research suggests that summer learning loss has a greater impact on low-income students.
For more information about United Way Success By 6 or the calendar, email Michelle.Roers@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973.993.1160 x116.
About United Way of Northern New Jersey
United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization fighting to improve life for families and individuals in our five-county footprint who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty. We believe when those who are struggling to afford the basics can succeed, all communities win. By focusing on Education, Financial Stability, and Health, we are helping ALICE now and in the long term. We do this through our initiatives that fill gaps in services, community partnerships, public policy work, and volunteer efforts. United Way of Northern New Jersey serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County including the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Millburn-Short Hills, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona. To learn more, call 973.993.1160 or visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org.