Pensacola Basics is part of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard

Early Brain Development

The Basics Pensacola


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The 5 Principles of The Basics

The Basics campaign of Pensacola are five, fun and simple ways that every family can benefit children from all backgrounds.

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Maximize Love, Manage Stress

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Talk, Sing and Point

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Count, Group and Compare

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Explore Through Movement and Play

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Read and Discuss Stories

Learn More About the Basics Learning Network

The Basics are five simple and powerful ways that every family can give every child a good and healthy start in life. The basics are:

  • Maximize love; manage stress.
  • Talk, sing and point.
  • Count, group and compare.
  • Explore through movement and play.
  • Read and discuss stories.

Basics Insights text messages can help you every day with brain building.


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Watch and Learn About The Basics

Maximize Love, Manage Stress

Babies and toddlers thrive when their world feels loving, safe, and predictable. When you show your love, you will help them develop a sense of security and self-control.

Talk, Sing and Point

Children learn language from the moment they are born. Connect with them by talking, singing, and pointing.

Count, Group and Compare

Every child’s brain is wired for math. Talk about numbers, shapes, and patterns as you go about your routines together and watch your child learn to love math.

Explore Through Movement and Play

Children are like scientists who love making discoveries. Pay attention to what interests your child. When you encourage their curiosity, you're helping them develop to their fullest potential.

Read and Discuss Stories

Reading turns kids into confident thinkers, and children become readers in the lap of their parents. Make books a regular part of your relationship from the very beginning.

Why The Basics?

The Pensacola Basics was born of a desire to come alongside families and offer practical, everyday ways to foster school readiness. 

The Basics community is diverse network of organizations and individuals committed to a single goal: Improving young children’s lives by ensuring that all families have access to strategies for making the most of the time they spend with children from birth to 3 years old.

Early Learning Initiatives

An Early Learning City is community that give parents the tools, advice and support they need to help their children be ready for kindergarten. From healthcare to business, everyone has a part to play.

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