UNITED WAY AND DOWNINGTOWN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT INSTALL BORN LEARNING TRAIL TO PROMOTE EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING

Downingtown, PA – Linking local educators and community volunteers to the United Way of Chester County’s   Early Childhood Education Initiative through a “Day of Caring” volunteer project, the 6th Born Learning Trail in Chester County has been installed at Johnsontown Community Park in Downingtown. Volunteers from Downingtown Area School District (DASD) led the installation with assistance from Downingtown Borough and the Johnsontown Community Group.

The trail will be dedicated during the National Night Out event at Johnsontown Community Park on August 2, 2011, at 6 pm.

The Born Learning Trail is part of the United Way of Chester County’s Early Childhood Education Initiative and is designed to assist parents and caregivers in engaging their young children in quality early learning activities. This new addition to Johnsontown Community Park is a series of signs and stenciled prompts adults can use to better prepare children for success in kindergarten, a good start in school and a lifelong love of learning.

Based on the latest early childhood research and approved by national early learning experts through United Way of America, the Born Learning Trail is intended to help adults interact with children to improve language and literacy development and to help caregivers support early learning in an outdoor setting, while keeping the entire family active.

United Way research has found that many parents undervalue their role in preparing young children for school, not knowing exactly what  to do to prepare young children for school or how to have  time to do what’s needed.
 
“The Born Learning Trail promotes fun and games - important components of early childhood learning,” said Claudia Hellebush, President and CEO of United Way of Chester County. “Research tells us children are literally ‘born learning.’ That means five years of education take place before they ever enter kindergarten. We know that what happens in a child’s early years matters-for school readiness and for success in life. We want to help parents, grandparents and caregivers use everyday outings - including trips to Johnsontown Park - to support that learning.”

The Born Learning Trail at Johnsontown Community Park was funded by the United Way Financial Stability Partnershiip, and materials for the trail for the trail were donated by Home Depot. The Borough of Downingtown facilitated the installation, contributing equipment and manpower to augment Downingtown Area School District and Johnsontown Community Group volunteer efforts.

For more information about Born Learning Trails or the Johnsontown Park location, contact Mary Anne Feeley at 610-429-9400.