What is the Born Learning Trail?
A fun, interactive series of outdoor games, the Born Learning Trail helps adults and young children explore and learn together. The Trail offers activities that build language and thinking skills fundamental to a child’s success in school and in life. Featuring 10 fun, outdoor games on signs, the Trail will engage children and their families.
Why is the Born Learning Trail important?
The Born Learning Trail is an excellent tool for supporting early learning because it helps adults understand what they can do to support learning in young children. Those first five years are when the most brain development occurs. It is also the time to establish foundations for the skills and attributes that are necessary to succeed in school and eventually to become productive, involved citizens.
The Trail:
- Is fun and interactive
- Encourages adults and children to explore and learn together while being actively engaged outdoors.
- Turns a regular outing with a child into a fun learning opportunity.
Where is the Born Learning Trail?
Wildcat Glades—201 Riviera Dr, Joplin, MO 64804
Schlanger Park—725 E. 4th Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762
When is the Born Learning Trail open and is it accessible?
The Born Learning Trail is open daily during the park hours and is wheelchair accessible. This paved trail is also accessible to strollers and bicycles
How does the Born Learning Trail promote early learning?
The Born Learning trail is part of the United Way’s Success By 6® initiative, designed to help parents, caregivers and communities support early childhood development. Born Learning activities provides ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities for young children.
The Born Learning Trail promotes early learning in a number of way:
- Gives family members, caregivers, friends, and neighbors and opportunity to “connect” with young children.
- Encourages adults to see the world through the eyes of children and notices what they are curious about and are trying to learn.
- Helps adults interact with children to boost language and literacy development and helps caregivers understand how to best support early learning in everyday moments.
Is there a fee to use the Born Learning Trail?
Use of the Born Learning Trail is free.
Who is sponsoring the Born Learning Trail?
United Way of Southwest Missouri & Southeast Kansas Success By 6® Initiative received a grant from Target to fund the Born Learning Trails and community members have volunteered their time to install the trails.