United Way of
Massachusetts Bay

2015: Brain Building Goes Mobile, Expands Partnerships

Technology and fostering early childhood development haven’t traditionally gone hand-in-hand.  But 2015 marks the year that Brain Building in Progress, the statewide campaign to build young minds and the future of Massachusetts, brought the two fields together in efforts to expand its reach and advance young children’s healthy development and learning across the state.

Brain Building in Progress, a partnership between the Department of Early Education and Care and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, this year expanded its use of technology and built new partnerships with local officials, early childhood providers and national experts in its efforts to support families, educators, business leaders, public officials and the general public in helping children to learn and succeed.

2015 highlights include:

  • Governor Charlie Baker declared April 12-18 “Brain Building in Progress Week.” Over 80 communities held events that support the importance of early enriching environments and experiences to the future success of young children.
  • Massachusetts Education Secretary James Peyser, Commissioner of Early Education and Care Tom Weber, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, and Springfield Superintendent Daniel Warwick participated in “Brain Building in the Park” events across the state that brought together community and business leaders for read with children in outdoor setting and promote this as an important brain building activity.
  • EEC and United Way unveiled a newly designed Brain Building in Progress website, with enhanced resources for families, educators, business leaders, public officials, and the general public, highlighting the roles everyone can play in building young brains.
  • Brain Building in Progress announced a new initiative to support the healthy development and learning of young children in homeless shelters through a partnership with Horizons for Homeless Children.
  • Earlier this month, Brain Building in Progress announced a new partnership with the Seattle-based organization Vroom to bring free, downloadable mobile app that delivers daily “brain building” activity tips to parents and families with young children.

Brain Building in Progress is based on the latest science and research on early childhood development.  It aims to raise awareness of the critical importance of fostering the social, emotional and cognitive development of young children by emphasizing its future impact on the economic prosperity of everyone in Massachusetts.   For more information, go to www.brainbuildinginprogress.org.