Born Learning Outdoor Trail
United Way of Williamson County and the Williamson County Department of Parks and Recreation have partnered to install the first Born Learning Outdoor Trail in Williamson County at the Franklin Recreation Complex on Hillsboro Road near the intersection with Mack Hatcher Parkway.
“The Born Learning Trail is designed to help parents and caregivers support early education for young children,” said Kathie Tharpe, community impact manager for United Way of Williamson County. “It’s a fun, easy way for parents, grandparents and caregivers to use outings to build learning into everyday experiences. The trail consists of a series of signs which guide the adult on specific ways to engage their child in the trail’s outdoor learning games.”
Parents and their young children are invited to attend the ceremony. There will be refreshments, balloons, face painting, books and free t-shirts for the first 75 children. Publix Supermarket is providing water for the event.
Based on the latest early childhood research and approved by national learning experts through United Way of America, the Born Learning Trail is designed to help adults interact with children to boost language and literacy development and to help caregivers understand how to best support early learning in outdoor everyday moments.
“The Born Learning Trail promotes fun and games – important components of early childhood learning,” said Ann Buchanan, president and CEO of United Way of Williamson County. “Research tells us children are literally ‘born learning.’ That means five years of education take place before they ever enter kindergarten. We know that what happens in a child’s early years matters – for success in life and for school readiness. And we want to help parents, grandparents and caregivers use everyday outings – including trips to the Franklin Recreation Complex – to support that learning.”
Parents who would like Born Learning materials or information and resources about early learning programs can call 2-1-1. Caregivers can also get information on the Born Learning website at www.bornlearning.org.
