In this episode, Chelsea Clinton sits down with Ralph Smith, managing director of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, and Dr. Susan Neuman, New York University Professor of Childhood and Literacy Education, to share stories and strategies on how to help every child reach their full potential.
Nearly 60 percent of children in the United States show up to kindergarten unprepared to learn. This problematic truth results in a lifelong burden that no child should bear and can have broader consequences across society. The issue is especially acute for children in low-income families and at-risk communities, as they often start behind in kindergarten and are less likely to catch up. The good news is that strong relationships and simple actions like talking, reading, and singing with children from birth can make a big difference in a child’s future.
Chelsea, Ralph, and Susan, along with Patti Miller, CEO of Too Small to Fail, the Clinton Foundation’s early childhood initiative, also highlight the Foundation’s innovative approaches to providing families with language and learning opportunities in the laundromat, grocery store, and other places parents go with their children everyday.