United Way of Central Iowa partners with Bright by Text to support at-home learning and provide access to credible resources for families with children prenatal to age eight during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Sign Up Social Graphic-4
United Way of Central Iowa has teamed up with Bright by Text, a national parent texting program, to put expert tips, educational games, and child development information directly into the hands of parents and caregivers of children prenatal through age eight for free.

Bright by Text messages share tips, short videos, and related resources from national expert partner resources like PBS, Vroom, Sesame Street, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Text topics include brain development, learning activities, health, and more. 

To sign up, parents and caregivers with children under age eight can text the word IOWAKIDS to 274448*. Bright by Text sends registrants two to four 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.

United Way of Central Iowa is proud to offer a unique resource like Bright by Text as children are learning from home and families can’t always access the services they need. It’s our hope that this partnership helps ensure children across central Iowa can continue learning and growing – and caregivers have the tools and resources they need to confidently navigate this unprecedented time.

“These partnerships are vital for early education and caregiver support while schools, libraries, and childcare centers may be closed,” said Jean McSpadden, President and CEO of Bright by Text. “Because we use text messaging, all the content is easily accessible to anyone with a mobile phone. We know this method works – 95% of Bright by Text subscribers say it makes them a more confident caregiver.”

Bright by Text helps parents and caregivers make the most out of time at home with their children by illustrating fun and easy activities, providing positive parenting tips and resources, and even video content to guide a child’s development. The program is proven to build nurturing caregiver-child relationships, and positively impact a child’s healthy development and school readiness. Innovative services like Bright by Text will help provide equitable solutions to early education while schools remain closed and to supplement when students return to learn in this new environment.

*Standard message and data rates apply. Text STOP to 274448 to stop. Text HELP to 274448 for help.

Learn More About EDUCATION

Topics: Education, Health & Well-Being

Kate Bennett

Written by Kate Bennett

Kate Bennett is the Community Impact Officer for Early Childhood & Education Success at United Way of Central Iowa.