Helping South County Close the Achievement Gap
Children from low-income families hear as many as 30 million fewer words before age four than their more affluent peers, stifling language skills and slowing progress. Recent statistics show that only 63% of third graders in the southern Berkshires are proficient readers. The BUW program, Chapter One promotes reading, vocabulary and communication skills before the gap can widen in school.
- 1,116 words (professional families)
- 749 words (working class families)
- 525 words (low-income families)
Source: Strategies for Children
Share Your Words
- Host an event, become a coach or just sponsor of The Word Project.
- Create meaningful conversations with children, tell personal stories, talk about shared experiences. Give a family membership to a museum as a gift.
- Create excitement around books and writing.
- Offer to send snail mail to kids you know.
- Read, sing, play, and talk to the kids in your life.
Support Young Minds
- Donate books for kids.
- Provide books, magazines, and toys in your office for babies, toddlers and up.
- Be an advocate for early childhood learning and education.
- Talk to friends, family, and co-workers about why early learning matters.
- Consider getting involved with Chapter One.
Learn More
Amy Taylor, South County Liaison
Ph: 413.854.3989
Email: ataylor@berkshireunitedway.org