Supporting parents as their children’s first and most important teachers

1. Supporting parents as their children’s first and most important teachers LoveTalkPlay.org

2. What We Know • There are more than 348,000 children under the age of 3 in Washington state. About 70,000 of those children live in poverty. • Parents say they want information about how to support their child’s healthy growth and learning, but … • Parents are busy and stressed — and bombarded with conflicting messages about what’s important. • Parents who need information and support the most often don’t get it. LoveTalkPlay.org

3. Campaign Overview • “Love. Talk. Play.” is a simple but powerful message campaign that supports parents as their children’s first and most important teachers. • Campaign Goal: All families — especially families living in vulnerable situations — with children birth to age 3 have the confidence, information and skills needed to give their children a great start in life. LoveTalkPlay.org

4. Campaign Overview • Led by Thrive by Five Washington, the Dept. of Early Learning and Office of Supt. of Public Instruction and shared with diverse communities of families statewide through early learning regions and state, local partners. • Grounded in science and created with input from parents, national early learning experts and partners to provide families with examples of how to incorporate love, talk and play into everyday activities, such as diaper changing, making a meal or sharing a book. • Gaining interestwithin the state and nationally because it’s simple and positive. LoveTalkPlay.org

5. Guiding Principles • Focus on families with children birth to age 3, and on vulnerable, loosely connected communities • Support parents as their children’s first and most important teachers • Continuously learn and improve • Distribute appealing, durable products • Be memorable and positive • Allow communities to implement campaign in the ways that will best work for them • Connect what already exists, and use existing trusted messengers to reach parents, families and caregivers • Prioritize one-on-one and repeat opportunities to connect with families LoveTalkPlay.org

6. Why Love, Talk and Play? LoveTalkPlay.org

7. Campaign Timeline 2010 • Research and build campaign 2011 • Launch campaign with state’s 10 Early Learning Regions • Support EL Regions in engaging vulnerable families • Create PSA with Seattle Sounders 2012 • Include materials in Dept. of Health’s Child Profile mailing to all families with a 6-month-old baby • Begin formal evaluation of campaign • Identify teens as a priority population for the campaign and create Family Engagement Committee LoveTalkPlay.org

8. Campaign Evaluation: Overview • Measures success at each stage of the information dissemination process • Currently only focuses on the impact of the outreach and engagement work being done by the 10 Early Learning Regions • Leverages several tactics, including reports from the Regions, interviews with parents and caregivers and partner surveys LoveTalkPlay.org

9. Campaign Evaluation: Notable Themes • While there are diverse approaches to the campaign in each of the 10 Early Learning Regions, campaign messages and materials are well-received. • As campaign strategies are honed and enhanced, regions have become more intentional about creating the partnerships they need and focusing more on engaging families in vulnerable situations. LoveTalkPlay.org

10. Campaign Evaluation: Results • From January to May 2012: • About 160 partnerships formed • 109 campaign events held • More than 8,000 parents/families reached • Approximately 85% considered in vulnerable situations; 42% not already connected to other early learning programs or services. • Vulnerable = receiving subsidy and other risk guidelines. LoveTalkPlay.org

11. Who is Using the Campaign? • WIC • Child Profile • Media • Child Care Centers • Children’s Museums • Tribal Communities • Home Visitors • Play and Learn Groups • Teen Parenting Programs • Libraries • DSHS, DEL, DOH LoveTalkPlay.org

12. Lessons Learned • Simple and fun works … and is appreciated! • Events are good but one-on-one contact is better • Need both general and personal outreach LoveTalkPlay.org

13. How You Can Get Started • Connect with your Early Learning Region. • Participate in the local conversation about how to coordinate and engage harder-to-reach families in your area • Think about ways that you could easily connect your existing work to the words love, talk and play when talking with parents/caregivers you know. • Visit LoveTalkPlay.org and share the resource with colleagues and peers. • Link to LoveTalkPlay.org on your website. • Like us on FB and follow us on Twitter • Encourage parents/caregivers to sign up for our weekly tips. LoveTalkPlay.org

14. Materials • Visit LoveTalkPlay.org/shopto order a limited number of free posters and fold-out activity mailers. • Key materials are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese and Somali LoveTalkPlay.org

15. Further Resources:www.LoveTalkPlay.org Seattle Sounders to serve as campaign spokespeople! We’re on Facebook and Twitter, too! People can also sign up for a weekly e-mail tip. LoveTalkPlay.org