Way to Grow Celebrates the Achievement of Early Learners enrolled in ‘Great by Eight’

The nonprofit has prepared nearly 110 preschool children to enter kindergarten this fall.    

MINNEAPOLIS– Way to Grow, the Twin Cities’ preeminent advocate for early childhood and K-3^rd grade education, is pleased to announce that nearly 110 preschool children enrolled in it’s Great by Eight initiative are prepared to enter kindergarten this fall. A celebration to recognize the students will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2017, at Urban Ventures, 2924- 4^th Avenue S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408.

Great by Eight, Way to Grow’s hallmark initiative, provides early childhood and K-3^rd grade education to children from some of Minneapolis’ most isolated families to ensure they are given an equal opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Way to Grow prepares children for academic success and supports families by providing culturally appropriate, wrap-around services through home visits and center-based programming.

“We believe fostering a child’s learning beginning at birth increases that child’s chance to succeed in school and life,” says Carolyn Smallwood, CEO of Way to Grow. “From the time Way to Grow began more than 25 years ago, we’ve been relentless – working with our parents, community partners, donors and board members to lay the foundation for children’s success, and eliminate the achievement gap.”

For the past few years, more than 90% of Way to Grow’s children entering kindergarten were deemed ready for school.

Research suggests that waiting until kindergarten is too late to prepare a child to learn. The optimum time is during the formative years, beginning at birth to five years when a child’s brain develops at a rapid rate, growing to more than 85% of its capacity. During these years, if a child’s cognitive skills, language, social interactions and motor skills are encouraged to develop, evidence proves the child is more likely to succeed throughout the entire years of school and beyond.

Volunteers are needed to help with event set-up and escorting the children through this momentous occasion. If you are interested, please contact us at wtg@mplswaytogrow.org.