United Way opens Born Learning trail in Cleveland Park
With an eye toward promoting the importance of early
childhood learning experiences in preparing young children to be ready for
school, United Way of Greenville County officially opened its first Born
Learning trail Thursday afternoon in Cleveland Park.
The trail was developed in collaboration with the City of Greenville and is located near the park’s two large playgrounds adjacent to the Greenville Zoo. It includes nine stations that offer interactive learning experiences for young children and their parents and caregivers.
United Way YPs, a group of United Way donors age 40 and younger who contribute $1,000 or more annually in support of United Way programs and initiatives, chose the installation of Born Learning trails as one of its community outreach projects.
“Because so many of us are parents of young children, we’re passionate about doing all we can to ensure all children get the early care, education and nurturing they need,” said Matt Cotner, chair of the YP Council. “United Way’s Born Learning campaign was identified as an effective means to that end.”
The Born Learning campaign is a key component of the United Way of Greenville County and its School Readiness Council’s overall effort to ensure all Greenville County children start school ready to succeed – meaning all children start first grade on track in the five key developmental areas of communication, cognition, physical development, social/emotional development, and self-help skills.
The central idea is that children are born learning,” said Cotner. “What they learn depends on the experiences they have each and every day and it’s up to us – as parents, caregivers and the community – to provide those experiences. Learning can happen anywhere at anytime – at the grocery store, in the car, at the bank, and right here at Cleveland Park.”
The YPs plan to install additional Born Learning trails across the county, with a second planned as early as this summer in the Nicholtown community.
To become a member of the Young Philanthropists, or for more information on YP and its programs, visit www.unitedwaygc.org or call 864-467-3510.
