Turning Walls into Windows for Learning: RHI’s “Read · Talk · Sing · Play Every Day” banners popping up across Cortland County
Why You’ve Started Seeing Giant Purple Posters
If you’ve been around Cortland County lately, whether running errands in Marathon, dropping your child off at CAPCO, or picking up fresh produce at the Seven Valleys Health Coalition, you’ve likely noticed bright, welcoming banners adorning local landmarks. These cheerful purple signs aren't just decoration; they're gentle reminders of something powerful: every moment spent with your child can be a valuable learning opportunity.
This is the heart of the Rural Health Institute’s (RHI) "Learning Moments – Read · Talk · Sing · Play Every Day" campaign, created to empower parents and caregivers to transform everyday interactions into meaningful experiences that support a child's development. The campaign and the HelloCortland website are both projects of the Cortland County Literacy Coalition, an initiative run by RHI.
Four Stops on the Learning Moments Trail
In Marathon’s the image depicts a family going to the library, symbolizing the idea that every family routine, like a simple walk or errand, can turn into an opportunity for conversation and exploration. Similarly, at CAPCO’s Early Childhood Center, a banner depicts a mom and her son at a table, deep in books and writing, highlighting how shared quiet moments can nurture a child's literacy and focus.
Further down at CAPCO’s South Main Site, a colorful array of crayons and joyful children engaging with picture books invites passersby to remember the simple joy and profound value of reading together. Meanwhile, at the Seven Valleys Health Coalition Food Rescue Hub, a scene of family dinner with a bookshelf in the background emphasizes that mealtime conversation is as essential to child development as nutritious food.
Your Child’s First Teacher? That’s You.
Why these four actions (read, talk, sing, and play)? Decades of child development research underline a simple yet profound truth: children’s brains flourish in environments filled with warm interactions, language-rich experiences, and joyful play. RHI condensed this wisdom into an approachable formula that every caregiver can easily incorporate into daily routines.
Imagine turning grocery shopping into a language game, naming fruits and vegetables as you pick them. Picture using a simple bag of rice in a cake pan, inviting your child to trace letters with their fingers. Even tidying up toys can become a fun, educational race to sort blocks by color. Each seemingly mundane task has the potential to become a vibrant learning moment.
In addition to physical banners and community resources, RHI features a daily "Learning Moment of the Day." These short activities encourage children to be mindful and observant of their surroundings, building essential skills such as conversation, awareness, and independence that will support their transition into school and beyond.
RHI encourages families not just through banners, but through actionable, no-cost resources available on hellocortland.fun. The site is full of easy, practical ideas to seamlessly integrate learning into busy family life.
Next time you see one of these purple banners, consider it your personal invitation from RHI to pause, connect, and discover how everyday interactions with your child can be magical moments of learning. Your child was born ready to learn; and the best classroom they’ll ever have is the time spent with you, reading, talking, singing, and playing every day.