FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2020

Media Contact: Heather Hare

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

(716) 845.7155 • hhare@wned.org

Bright by Text to Deliver Developmental Games and Tips Directly to Parents for Free

Buffalo Toronto Public Media Brings Service to WNY

Buffalo Toronto Public Media has teamed up with Bright by Text, a national parent texting program, to put expert tips, games, and child development information directly into the hands of parents and caregivers, with content focused on prenatal through age 8 children. The education team at WNED PBS will also provide updates to families about local educational programs and events.

“There couldn’t be a better time to launch this initiative because families are playing a more active role in educating their children while school facilities are closed due to the pandemic,” said Beth Fronckowiak, Director of Education and Outreach, Buffalo Toronto Public Media. “Parents are their children’s first and most important educators, and we’re excited to help them with these new educational resources.”

According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, in the early years a child’s brain is developing at a faster rate than it will at any other point in their life. The interactions that a child has with adult caregivers at this stage sets the foundation upon which all later learning, behavior, and health depends.

“Adult caregiver interactions in the early years of life are so critical for child development,” said Bright by Three President and CEO Jean McSpadden. “We want parents to have the best research-based information right at their fingertips.”

Bright by Text helps parents and caregivers make the most out of these interactions by illustrating fun and easy activities, providing positive parenting tips and resources, tips for aiding a child’s physical development, and through trusted and valued content from PBS. The program is proven to build nurturing caregiver-child relationships, and positively impact a child’s healthy development and school readiness.

In addition to expert content, Bright by Text includes messages about events and resources specific to the Western New York community, like free museum days, health clinics, and preschool open enrollment periods.

To sign up, parents and caregivers with children under 8 can text the word BRIGHT to 274448*. They will receive three to five text messages per week, and each message includes a link to a landing page with more detail, short modeling videos, and links to related resources.

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