Overview of YMCA’s Play and Learn Program The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Play and Learn is a Free community based program open to children ages birth to 5 years old and their parents or caregivers. We provide a fun, interactive learning experience that will help develop young children’s school readiness skills in a variety of areas including fine/large motor, creativity, early literacy, math, science, social/emotional. We also provide information and resources to help guide parents/caregivers in enhancing their children’s development so they can be successful in early childhood education. These groups give children the opportunity to learn, to get along with other children and experience developmental activities that they might not have available at home. Healthy snacks are provided for the children. INTRODUCTION

The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The role of play in preparing children for school - “Playing is an important of helping a child do well in school,” 56% of the caregivers that took the pretest responded “Strongly Agree” while on the posttest 67% of the respondents checked “Strongly Agree”, an increase of 11%. The importance of language in emotional communication with children - “How harshly I talk to my child is not as important as the words that I use,” 75% of the caregivers responded “Strongly Agree/Agree” on the pretest. On the posttest 56% of the caregivers responded “Disagree/Strongly Disagree”, representing a 31% increase in this area. The importance of reading to pre-verbal children - “You don’t have to start reading to a child until they can talk,” 44% of the caregivers that took the pretest responded “Strongly Agree/Agree” and 56% of caregivers responded “Disagree/Strongly Disagree”. On the posttest 78% of participants responded “Disagree/Agree” representing a 22% increase. KEY FINDINGS (IRVING) FROM HARVARD’S PROJECT ZERO Pre-and post-evaluation by Harvard Project Zero (Includes all Pilot Sites) 95% increase in caregivers reporting improved understanding of how children learn through play 58% increase in caregivers reporting an increase in engagement in pre-literacy activities 76% increase in caregivers reporting an improved understanding of the caregiver role in early learning 86% increase in the caregivers reporting positive interactions between child and caregiver

The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. TESTIMONIAL Marcela Montes Lead Counselor Pierce Early Learning School

The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. LITERACY NIGHTS 1 Night Per Month For the Entire Family Fun Literacy Improvement Activities Every Child goes home with a free book Great opportunity for Cross-Promotion

The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM P & L A critical-need program on your campus and in your community Staff respectful of your facility; New families (traffic) in your facility A program to strengthen the connection between your Y and your ISD. New Program Participants – (youth sports / swim lessons) WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU Commitment to provide a dedicated space at your facility for 2.5 hours at week. Commitment from staff to promote program within your facility. Commitment to provide PL Team with possible connections that will lead to off-site location (school, church, community center, etc…) Commitment to host a monthly Literacy Night (3 hour event) Commitment to Provide Branch info so PL can promote your programs.