Words Count-Free Literacy program for families in Greater Hartford
July 10, 2018
Words Count is a short-term, parent-directed, play based program that builds creativity and caregiver-child bonds. The program is based on research showing that the number of words a child hears by age 3 can have a significant impact on his or her future academic success. Research that tells us that by age three, children growing up in poor neighborhoods or from lower-income families may hear up to 30 million fewer words than their more privileged counterparts.
During in-home and community-based coaching sessions with a literacy specialist, parents and caregivers are helped to increase their children’s vocabulary and enhance their conversational abilities.
Visits are supplemented with check-in calls to encourage and support parents as they practice new techniques and behaviors. The program not only improves children’s language skills, but also introduces parents to available local resources to continue the development of language and literary skills.
Access Services
Words Count is open to families with children up to age 5 in Hartford, Bloomfield, Simsbury, West Hartford and Windsor.
For more information, contact Nicole Castro, 860-236-4511 x3334 or ncastro@thevillage.org.