The moment your child enters the world, he or she embarks on a lifetime of learning—and you become their first and most important teacher. By talking, singing, reading, and engaging your child with loving words and snuggles throughout the day, you’re helping their brain to develop and providing a strong foundation for success in school and life.
One critical milestone in a child’s education is third-grade reading proficiency, because children who are strong readers by the time they leave third grade are prepared to read the books and materials covered in higher grades.
Georgia Home Classroom
Check out instructional TV broadcasts aligned to Georgia’s state standards, along with a library of digital learning resources.
Early Language and Literacy Development Resources
This resource is for anyone who cares for and loves a child between the ages of 0 and 8 – parents, grandparents, babysitters, aunties, uncles, neighbors, friends, teachers, and more. You’ll receive free activities, games, and resources right to your cell phone. Messages are targeted to your child’s age and include information on child development, language and early literacy, health and safety, behavioral tips, and more. Bright by Text is completely free to sign up, but message and data rates may apply. Text GPB to 274448 or fill out this form to sign up.
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Chat About Children
This educational series for families features episodes from DECAL on monitoring development, supporting transition back to child care and school, building your young child’s brain, engaging children in play, how early language builds literacy, and more.
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Cox Campus
Check out videos, guides, activity ideas, and free online courses to help parents and families support their child’s early learning and development.
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Háblame Bebé
This app, available for both iOS and android phones, supports Spanish-speaking parents in delivering Language Nutrition to their infants and young children.
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1,000 Books B4 Kindergarten
Boost your child’s early brain development and prepare them for success in school. Sign up to begin logging your books and earning incentives.
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Pre-K Summer Transition Program
For income-eligible families, this six-week program offers high-quality instruction to prepare rising pre-K and kindergarten students for success in school.
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Quality Rated
This online search tool helps families find quality programs and offers tips about choosing high-quality child care.
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Sightwords
Find free resources, including games, lessons and flash cards, to help parents teach their child to read.
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Talk With Me Baby
Find free tips, videos, and information about how parents can boost their baby’s brain development by talking with them throughout the day every day.
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Vroom
Available for iOS and android phones, this app boosts learning from birth – 5 filled with fun and simple learning activities for mealtime, bathtime, bedtime, or anytime.
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Words2Reading
Grow your young reader through easy-to-follow videos, web links, downloadable documents, e-books, and audio clips all available online.
K – 3 Learning Resources
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e-READ KIDS
This free collection of e-books and audiobooks is for kids in pre-K through fourth grade. All you need is your library card number and PIN.
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iCivics
All around the world, schools are closing and transitioning to remote options as a precaution against the spread of Coronavirus. During this time, we want to remind teachers that free iCivics games and other resources are an option to keep the learning going outside of the school walls, staying connected with your students, and providing them with a healthy break from the headlines that can be unsettling.
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Rivet
With 2,000+ free leveled books for kids in K – 2, quality reading practice has never been easier. The app features an engaging, kid-friendly interface and reading support on every page.
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Storyline Online
This award-winning children’s literacy website streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
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Your Local Public Library
Find the closest public library to you and learn about their literacy and summer reading programs.
Health and Nutrition Resources
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FoodFinder
Enter your zip code on this website and smartphone app to find food pantries, kitchens, and shelters near you.
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Georgia Gateway
Apply for Food Stamp and Medicaid benefits. Download an application. Go to connectebt.com for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or call 888-421-3281 for updates. You can also contact the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 877-423-4746 for additional information or to request a paper application. Find your county office.
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Georgia WIC
This health and nutrition program is for children ages 0 – 5 and women who are pregnant, nursing, or have recently given birth.
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Local Food Banks—Georgia Food Bank Association
Your community is served by one of Georgia’s eight Feeding America affiliate food banks. Find yours here to donate or get help.
What’s Happening?
Check out the latest news and stories that affect children in Georgia.
Literacy rates among Calhoun County’s school-aged children are low. Calhoun County Family Connection is working to change that.
The Georgia Literacy Academy is a series of online courses in structured literacy and the science of reading available at no cost to all Georgia educators.
Learning early language skills helps children make social and emotional connections and affects their ability to communicate, engage socially and regulate emotions.
What Can I Do?
- Find a medical home for your family and ensure your child gets all well-child checkups and recommended immunizations. Find access to income-assisted insurance for children.
- Talk with your children, tell them stories, and read to them at all ages, beginning before birth.
- Find quality child care centers for your children.
- Learn more about your local schools and how to get involved.
- Browse through our stories for ideas and inspiration, and then come back to share your own success stories as your local efforts expand and deepen.
Explore More
- Hear more about our four-pillar framework for achieving reading proficiency by third grade.
- Check out relevant data points for monitoring the progress of conditions related to achieving reading proficiency by third grade—and use our data tools.
- Find more resources to assist your child.
- Use the Community Locator to see if your community has joined the Campaign and, if not, find out how to bring yours together to get kids reading.