State Funds Summer Learning Program For New Hampshire Families

Press release from Waterford:

April 21, 2023

In an effort to ensure children enter kindergarten ready to learn, the state of New Hampshire is investing in a summer learning program that will help families prepare their children for kindergarten this fall.

Why it’s news: Research shows early learning opportunities can be a game changer for literacy rates, so it’s important for children to walk into kindergarten ready to learn. New Hampshire state leaders recognize that there are common barriers to accessing early education. To overcome those, they have partnered with Waterford.org to provide Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path to remove those barriers.

Big picture: Common barriers to early learning such as cost, transportation and lack of technology can keep families from accessing early learning solutions. Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path was developed to overcome those common barriers by providing free resources to parents and caregivers who are already doing the work so children enter school prepared to learn.

How it works: Summer Learning Path is flexible, done in the home and provides children and caregivers with educational tools, such as coaching and offline resources. They use those tools on their own time to develop foundational skills in reading, math and science in minutes per day. Designed with kids in mind, Summer Learning Path was created so children have fun while they learn.

● Summer Learning Path comes with a laptop computer and internet access if those resources are needed. Families keep the laptop at the end of the program.

● Summer Learning Path is a condensed version of the adaptive Waterford Upstart program. Based in the science of learning, Waterford's resources establish a foundation in early literacy, math and science with lessons that are inclusive and engaging.

● Caregivers may register their children now at waterfordupstart.org/register.

● State leaders secured Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds to provide Summer Learning Path to 436 children entering kindergarten in New Hampshire this fall.

What they’re saying:

● “Putting educational resources in the hands of caregivers doing the work to prepare their children for school is what we love to do, and partnering with Waterford.org helps us do that.” — New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut

● "He loves this program. He's actually doing great on this program. And I have other time to do other things. I can turn to my daughter. I can cook dinner and not be worried about him falling behind during the summer." — Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path mom Shaneen Jones on her son's use of the program

Some context: Waterford.org believes all children deserve equitable access to positive early learning experiences that will set them on a successful path in school and life. The organization partners with caring adults at school and at home to help children build confidence, curiosity and a sense of belonging while providing individualized instruction to meet the needs of every child.

This press release was produced by Waterford. The views expressed here are the author's own.