The McMinnville School district has partnered with the Yamhill Community Care Organization’s Early Learning Hub to bring Vroom, new initiative that empowers parents and caregivers to play a proactive role in their children’s early brain development.
For parents and caregivers, Vroom has developed an app they can download for free called Daily Vroom, which serves up a daily Vroom Tip and also has a menu of additional Vroom tips based on whatever activity they are doing.
“This is a great resource,” said Kyra Donovan, director of Elementary Education for the McMinnville School District. “Parents get a notification every day with a simple, specific tip that will help them engage with their child and help them learn and develop.
“The school district is going to provide this to all of our preschool and kindergarten families,” she said. “Our preschool data shows that early childhood education makes a significant difference, and we want to maximize every available resource to get our youngest learners ready to learn.”
Vroom is being distributed to all families who attended the January Ready 4 Kindergarten workshops and will be provided to current kindergarten families.
Created with input from leaders in the fields of neuroscience, child development, and behavior economics, as well as parents, Vroom can include activities that help children develop self-control, language and social skills, and increase their physical activity. The app is available in English and Spanish.
By using Vroom, parents and caregivers are joining a national movement recognizing that investing in the youngest members of the community, even before they start kindergarten, is the smartest way to ensure their health and wellness as they grow up.
Vroom is made possible by funding from the Bezos Family Foundation, and local distribution is coordinated by the Yamhill CCO Early Learning Hub.