‘Wash Time is Talk Time’ to Deploy Educational Resources to 5,000 Laundries in Underserved Communities Across the U.S.
Too Small to Fail has launched “Wash Time is Talk Time”in Oakland, Calif. The launch was part of its 2015 Clinton Global Initiative “Wash Time is Talk Time”Commitment to Action – made in partnership with the Coin Laundry Association, the Laundry Project, Jumpstart, First 5 Alameda County, the University of Arkansas and Encore.org, which aims to reach parents in underserved communities nationwide.
Research finds that the average laundromat visit takes two to two-and-a-half hours – making laundry time a valuable yet often overlooked opportunity to engage in language-rich activities. Recent events at Advantage Laundry and A1 Laundry in Oakland included resources for young children and families to engage in early learning and development activities. Additionally:
- First 5 Alameda County, volunteers recruited by Encore.org, and Laundry Project volunteers, trained by Jumpstart, distributed “Wash Time is Talk Time”materials for parents, as well as free copies of the children’s book, “Not Norman: A Goldfish Story,” and Talking Is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing resource bags.
- These events kicked off the 10th anniversary of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. The annual campaign generates public support for high-quality early learning and highlights the importance of building children’s vocabulary by mobilizing millions of children and adults to take part in the world’s largest shared reading experience.
- Free laundry was provided by the Laundry Project through the generous support of the CLA and its LaundryCares Foundation.
These events will be followed by more than 50 free laundry events nationwide, hosted by the Laundry Project, through 2016. In addition, faculty and students from the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions will host monthly story times and “Wash Time is Talk Time”activities with families in select laundromats in northwest Arkansas. They will conduct a pilot impact evaluation of the “Wash Time is Talk Time”posters and activities on parent-child interactions.
Oakland is one of two flagship cities for Too Small to Fail’s innovative community-based campaign, Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing. By partnering with trusted messengers in Oakland, such as UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and First 5 Alameda County, Too Small to Fail has reached thousands of families and has provided information on turning ordinary moments into opportunities to boost young children’s language and brain development. “Wash Time is Talk Time”builds on this work
Learn more at www.toosmall.org/laundromats. Find research-based tips, information and resources on early language development for parents and caregivers at www.TalkingIsTeaching.org.
