A Holiday Message to the Basics Community

November 2017
BostonBasics
A Holiday Message to the Basics Community
Happy Holidays!

This is the season for celebrating life with the people we love and reminding one another joyously that our lives are anchored in families and communities. It is also a time to remember that no matter who we are, no obligations are more profound than caring for children and passing along traditions to younger generations.

A great thing about living in the 21st century is that in addition to age-old customs, we can learn from science. The Boston Basics Campaign (BBC) distills the science of early-childhood development to help us understand what we can do together to ensure that all of Boston’s babies get a strong start toward reaching their potential.

Before beginning the BBC, we interviewed hundreds of Bostonians to ask what advice they would offer to parents of infants and toddlers. They emphasized important things like spending time together, being loving and patient, talking, reading, and following a nutritious diet. The responses showed that they already knew instinctively what is best for children.
The Basics add some additional ideas that are less top-of-mind, but also critical for early brain development and learning:
  • Managing stress – for both caregivers and children
  • Pointing to help infants associate words with objects
  • Playing grouping games to help toddlers realize that numbers correspond to sets of things
  • Noticing that infant and toddler play involves exploration and opportunities for impromptu teachable moments
  • Discussing stories when reading with little ones


Each of the above is a theme in the science of infant and toddler caregiving and central to The Basics. These practices promote the brainpower and the social, emotional, and academic skills that all of our children will need to thrive.

When relatives and friends gather this season, remember to turn family moments into learning moments by adding a good measure of The Basics. In the meantime, offer to watch the kids for stressed-out parents and caregivers who need some time to breathe or do holiday shopping.

As we enter this holiday season, let us be confident that The Basics are gifts to share with families of every community. Please talk about The Basics not only with the people you love, but also with others who you think might find them helpful. Send people to the website (www.bostonbasics.org) to watch videos and download booklets. If you are the parent or caregiver of an infant or toddler, The Basics are for you! Otherwise, please encourage the caregivers in your life to incorporate The Basics into their daily routines and affirm them enthusiastically when they do. It really matters!

The bottom line is that all infants and toddlers deserve to experience The Basics. Spreading them widely will brighten every hue in the rainbow of cultural traditions that we strive to honor and preserve in the City of Boston.

Best wishes,
Ron Ferguson

Faculty Director
Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University

#ItTakesaCommunity #Family
 
 
The Boston Basics are 5 fun, easy, and powerful ways that every family can give each child a great start in life.
 
 

It Takes a Community

November 2017
Boston Basics News .
Holiday Campaign: Kick-Off
Dear Partners and Friends,

As families and friends begin to gather for the holidays, the Boston Basics is recognizing the important roles we all play to support the families of the youngest children in our city.

We invite you to join us in a campaign this season—It Takes a Community. We are highlighting the critical learning period during the first three years of life and how our collective work makes a difference.

We want to start by thanking the Boston Basics community and our partners. Together, we have made great strides this year. Trusted messengers in every sector of society—whose work deeply influences parents, caregivers, infants, and toddlers—are sharing The Basics citywide.

Over 100 sites are now incorporating The Basics into their daily work, including major hospitals, community health centers, libraries, early childhood programs, community centers, barbers, and faith-based organizations.

We hope you will participate by customizing the campaign message to highlight your organization’s work and help us spread the word. Or, invite your neighbor or church group to watch a Basics video. See other ways to join in below.
A Basics Community Contract
 

 
In the spirit of community, we are sharing A Basics Community Contract video.

It’s based on a poem written by Ron Ferguson, Faculty Director, Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University. Feel free to post on social media.
 
Join In
  • Keep an eye out for It Takes a Community billboard PSAs throughout the Commonwealth. Big thanks to Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s Office, one of our founding partners, and to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for their collaboration.
  • Join us on Facebook and like our page, as we encourage communities to give the gift of time to infants and toddlers by doing The Basics. We will also be featuring the myriad ways partners support the development of children.
     
  • Share the videos. We will focus on the Maximize Love, Manage Stress video (Basics #1) and share tips that support parents & caregivers during this busy season.

    #ItTakesaCommunity  #DoTheBasics  #Family

We appreciate your celebrating this holiday season with us as we all continue to rally around and support the families of Boston’s youngest children.

Best,
The Boston Basics Team
 
 
The Boston Basics are 5 fun, easy, and powerful ways that every family can give each child a great start in life.
 
 

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