Take Parenting to a New Level with Bright by Text

Today, on Redhead Mom, I am sharing about how you can take parenting to a new level in partnership with Bright by Text.

Being a mother is one of the most important jobs I’ve ever had, but like anything that is rewarding, it definitely has its challenges. Many parents are realizing how real those challenges are with the pandemic happening now. What if I told you that you could take parenting to a new level? Let me introduce you to Bright by Text – a free resource from a nonprofit organization that gives parents valuable tools and tips to support their child’s growth, all in text message format. With more parents and caregivers at home with their children, planning activities is becoming a bit of a challenge. Bright by Text is here to help.

Bright by Text is a program that provides information on child development and local resources to parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age 8. Text messages are available in both English and Spanish and are sent straight to your cell phone. These texts include research-based content from trusted sources such as PBS Kids, Vroom and Sesame Street. Bright by Text also connects families with valuable community services. These local community messages are specific to users geography based on the zip code they provide.

The messages you’ll receive from Bright by Text are proven to stimulate early childhood interactions by equipping families with games, activities, videos, and resources. In fact, 93% of caregivers indicate that Bright by Text prompted them to try out a learning activity, play with their child, and/or read a story.

Subjects include:

• Advice for common parenting challenges (tantrums, sleep, potty training, etc)
• Parent encouragement
• Games and activities to do with your child around:
  • Language and literacy
  • Brain development
  • Social-emotional
  • STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)
• Information on developmental milestones
• Prenatal
• Tips on nutrition, oral health, and more
• Safety guidelines

Bright by Text is a great resource to help with some of those challenges that come with caring for a young child. It’s easy to sign up for Bright by Text and even easier to use! Simply text BRIGHT to 274448, then select English or Spanish as your preferred language. Then enter your child’s date of birth (or due date) and you’ll receive messages specific to the age and stage of development of your child. Enter your zip code and you’ll receive messages specific to local resources and events in your area.

Messages are sent 2-4 times per week and include evidence-based content from trusted early childhood experts on a wide range of topics to support child development and strengthen families. Bright by Text is designed for parents (including expectant parents), grandparents, babysitters, aunts, uncles, neighbors, friends, teachers, and anyone else caring for a young child.

Features of the Messages:

• Offered in English and Spanish
• Provide developmental education and guidance based on the expected birthdate or age of a child up to eight
• Synthesize content curated from partners such as Bright by Three, PBS, Vroom, and Sesame Street
• Offer relevant information about local resources and events
• Link to a landing page with more learning materials, including short modeling videos and related books

How Bright by Text is Offering Free Support During the COVID-19 Crisis

With current social distancing guidelines in place due to COVID-19, many parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to age eight are cut off from vital support networks. Some day care services, also offer the best training sessions and other services for small kids. You can click here and know more about the same!Bright by Text puts free early childhood education and development tools and community resources into their hands through their smartphones. You can sign up for Bright by Text HERE.

I love that the service is free. In fact, it has always been and will always be free, according to Bright by Text. It includes two to four text messages per week with links to tips, videos and related developmental resources based on a child’s age. Subscribers can stop the text messages at any time. Bright by Text partners with trusted national expert resources like PBS, Vroom, Sesame Street, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention to deliver expert-approved child development content that families can put into action at home.

“Bright by Text provides early childhood education and caregiver support even while schools, libraries and childcare centers are closed,” said Jean McSpadden president and CEO of Bright by Text. “Because we use text messages with links to online content, it is easily accessible on any smartphone. We know this method works – 95% of Bright by Text subscribes say it makes them a more confident caregiver.”

“Parents and other caregivers of young children are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19. Bright by Text provides support with educational and developmental activities or tips. Our sole mission is getting this information into the hands of adults who care for children prenatal to age eight,” said McSpadden.

Mission

The mission of Bright by Text is to help all families give kids a bright beginning so they can grow into healthy, happy, and successful adults. They achieve this by equipping families with tools and information to promote their child’s healthy development through the most pivotal stages of growth during the earliest years of life. They partner with pediatricians, researchers and expert early childhood organizations to develop evidence-based content that is accessible for any family.

Background

In 1995, former Procter & Gamble Chairman Brad Butler and Colorado Governor Roy Romer founded Bright Beginnings to make Colorado the best place to raise a child. They engaged child development experts to design core visitation program materials that were rooted in evidence and demonstrated impact. Bright by Text was developed in 2014 to educate and equip families with trusted early childhood information and resources through text messages.

I think that Bright by Text is a great resource and I hope that families will take advantage of the resources and information they offer.

What features do you like about Bright by Text?