By Larissa Currier-Brown, Ready to Learn Project Manager, Alignment Rockford
At Alignment Rockford, we believe early childhood is the foundation of lifelong learning. Our mission is to ensure every child in the Rockford Region has the opportunity to reach their full potential—starting from birth. One of the most powerful tools to support this goal is literacy.
With generous support from United Way of Rock River Valley and initiatives like United for Literacy, we’re raising awareness about the power of early language development. Research shows that a child’s first five years shape academic success, career readiness, and overall well-being.
Creating Literacy-Rich Learning Environments
With generous support from United Way of Rock River Valley, our Ready to Learn Spaces bring literacy to life across Rockford. These engaging, play-based environments are filled with age-appropriate books, child-sized furniture, and hands-on learning materials that encourage children and caregivers to read, explore, and grow together.
Each space is thoughtfully designed to align with The Basics Rockford—five science-based parenting principles that support brain development and early literacy:
- Maximize Love, Manage Stress
- Talk, Sing, and Point
- Count, Group, and Compare
- Explore Through Movement and Play
- Read and Discuss Stories
By embedding these principles into our learning spaces, we empower parents and caregivers to recognize themselves as their child’s first and most influential teachers.
Literacy Starts at Birth
We also equip families from day one through our Ready to Learn with The Basics Newborn Kits, distributed at OSF and UW Health. Each kit includes a board book and a Basics Rockford Newborn Book filled with simple, practical ways to engage infants in early language and learning experiences.
These kits serve as a meaningful introduction to literacy, helping parents begin the journey of language development from the very beginning.
A Community-Wide Commitment
Alignment Rockford’s early childhood initiatives are grounded in collaboration. With support from United Way of Rock River Valley and other partners, we bring together educators, health professionals, and service providers through our Action Teams to align strategies and resources across the community.
Together, we’re building a culture where literacy and school readiness are shared priorities—ensuring every child enters school prepared to learn, grow, and succeed.
Learn more about our early childhood initiatives or how to get involved at alignmentrockford.org/our-work/early-childhood.