PNC Bank and Early Learning Indiana launch free Bloom Bright service for parents
Hoosier parents now have a new tool to help their children learn and grow, thanks to a newly launched free texting service, Bloom Bright.
Created by Early Learning Indiana and supported by PNC Bank, Bloom Bright sends biweekly text messages to parents and other caretakers who sign up for the program. The messages offer easy ways to boost development in children from birth through five.
“We know that our brains develop most quickly in the first five years of life. We also know that families are in the single best position to spark that development,” said Ted Maple, Ph.D., president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana. “Bloom Bright provides subscribers with age appropriate ideas and activities to ensure our youngest Hoosiers get off to a solid start.”
Based in research, Bloom Bright tips cover a range of topics, from introducing children to math words to helping them manage emotions. The messages are designed to fit naturally in to families’ days and to foster positive interactions. Suggestions include using errands, meal time and fun family activities to boost school readiness. Families receive messages created for their children’s specific developmental stage.
After a yearlong pilot in Central Indiana with more than 100 families, PNC Bank recently partnered with Early Learning Indiana to expand the program statewide.
“Through the Grow Up Great program, PNC invests in a range of supports that help children from birth to age five prepare for success in school and in life,” said Connie Bond Stuart, PNC Bank’s regional president for Central and Southern Indiana. “Bloom Bright is a natural fit for our commitment to early learning and an innovative way to reach Hoosier families.”
More than 400,000 Hoosier children are under the age of five. Early Learning Indiana has prioritized the value of family engagement through their statewide Partnerships for Early Learners work. This work is also supported by the Lilly Endowment’s five-year, $20-million grant designed to expand access and quality in Indiana early learning opportunities.
To sign up for Bloom Bright, families can visit www.bloombrightin.org or text “Bloom” to 95577.
About PNC Bank: PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.
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