In June 2020 the Great Start for Great Futures (GSGF) Coalition embarked on a lofty vision – to stand in the gap and provide local families (having children from birth to age five) with helpful tips, tools and resources to promote language and literacy growth and slow the "summer slide" loss of reading and math skills.
Over this past summer, 300 free GSGF Kid CARE Kits were created and delivered to families throughout Stark County. As the year progressed, the need to bridge educational support to schools and early learning centers continued. In recent weeks, GSGF members and early childhood advocates came together by donating and creating an additional 500 GSGF Kid CARE Kits. The recent kits – meant to empower and equip Stark's families with language, literacy and well-being resources – will be distributed by educators and other early education advocates who will take time to review the tools and resources in the kits with families and caregivers.
What do the kits contain?
Each kit is filled with language and literacy activities, literacy cards, sensory items, health and wellness information, developmental milestones, early education books, family information and so much more - all meant to prepare early learners for kindergarten. As everyone is dealing with the impacts of this past pandemic year, one highlight of this latest kit is the inclusion of strategies that can help both children and adults manage emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger, and stress.
