The Foundation and President Clinton dedicated the new Talking is Teaching panels at the Sollers Point Branch on Monday, October 30, at 2:30 p.m. Talking is Teaching is a a public awareness and action campaign that helps parents recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and vocabulary development through simple, everyday actions — like describing things while walking outside or singing songs together during bath time. The campaign was created by Too Small to Fail, a joint initiative of The Opportunity Institute and The Clinton Foundation.
“These signs are meant to spark conversations,” said Julie Saxenmeyer, director of development for the Foundation. “Your parents are your first teachers.”
Talking is Teaching signs have been installed in playgrounds all over the country. Baltimore County Public Library is the first public library to participate in this program. The signs are designed to encourage parents and caregivers to engage in conversation with their young children about everyday things like shapes and colors. Talking to children increases cognitive ability and builds vocabulary.
With your support, the Foundation fully funded the signs because Too Small to Fail’s mission of early childhood literacy and intervention fits well with both the mission of the Foundation and of Baltimore County Public Library.