TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten messages will temporarily be delivered from phone number (855) 782-5599. New users can still sign up using the form below during this time. If you are experiencing issues signing up or receiving messages, please click here to visit our support page.
Brain Building Activitiestexted to your phone
Sign up to receive free fun activities
that get your little one ready for school success!
This Privacy Policy describes the ways in which Text and Learn for Kindergarten (TALK) collects and uses information you provide through the text messaging service and website. By using TALK, you consent to the processing of your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy.
Information TALK collects
TALK collects information you provide when you sign up for the optional text messaging service, participate in surveys, voluntarily provide demographic data for our research, and/or contact us with a question or request. The information you provide when you sign up for TALK includes your preferred language (English or Spanish), your mobile telephone number, your child’s date of birth or expected date of birth, and your zip code. Demographic data you can optionally provide includes your level of education, family income, family size, race, and ethnicity.
How TALK uses the information
TALK uses the information you provide to send developmentally appropriate activities to you in your language of choice based on your child’s age, to send notifications of free local events and library services to you based on your zip code, to improve TALK through your responses to surveys and data analysis, and to respond to your questions and requests. Optional demographic data is de-identified from your phone number and is only used as stated below.
How TALK discloses the information
TALK may disclose collected de-identified information for reports, presentations, and grant applications, and other information as required by law, such as to comply with a subpoena or other legal process, or to comply with government reporting obligations or when otherwise requested by law enforcement. All TALK information will be accessible to selected personnel at MCLS (Midwest Collaborative for Library Services), YDL (Ypsilanti District Library), and HighScope Educational Research Foundation. Information relevant to each subscribing library (TALK service subscriber information for the zip codes serviced by that library) will be accessible via an authenticated web page by selected personnel at that library.
Data storage and security
Information that you provide when you sign up for TALK and demographic data you optionally provide resides on a secure server which is part of the MCLS infrastructure. This server is accessible only to selected MCLS and YDL personnel. TALK periodically distributes voluntary user surveys to assess the quality of the program. Data collected through surveys is stored in Qualtrics on a secure HighScope server accessible only on hardware inside the HighScope building. At the end of the evaluation of TALK in 2023, all data will be deleted from HighScope’s Qualtrics server.
Information collected through TALK will be processed in and subject to the laws of the United States. You understand and agree that we may collect, use, disclose and otherwise process your information as described in this Policy and according to the United States law. Your personal information may be disclosed to the United States government or its agencies under a lawful order made in the United States. Your information may be retained as long as there is a potential use for the information, as required by law.
Opting out
You can choose to opt out of receiving SMS text messages by texting STOP to #### or utilizing the contact information listed in the ‘Contact Us’ section below.
Children’s Information
TALK is not directed to, nor do we knowingly collect information from, children under the age of 13. If you become aware that your child or any child under your care has provided us with information without your consent, please contact us at the contact information listed below. If you provide information about a child under the age of 13 you hereby represent that you are authorized to provide such information.
Contact us
If you have questions regarding this policy or our use of the information collected through TALK, or if you experience any problems with TALK, please email us at TALK@ypsilibrary.org, or call us at 734-482-4410 x1340.
Sing
Make music with things you have in your house. Tap a pot or box with a spoon. Sing a song as you make music with your toddler.
Write
Write letters on paper and have your toddler paint over them with a Q-tip. They will strengthen the small muscles in their hand needed for writing.
Play
Sort toys by color while you play to help baby learn organization, an early math skill. Say “I put the red ball with the red block.”
Read
Listen to stories and books on CD. Your preschooler will learn to form pictures to go with the stories & develop an imagination, important reading skills.
TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten sends fun activities busy parents can do with their babies and preschoolers any time, any place. Developed by Librarians and based on the research-based Every Child Ready to Read program, these easy activities are designed to get kids ready for school and life success. You’ll also get updates for local library storytimes and free, educational children’s events!
Give your child a head start by subscribing to TALK
Research shows the more words children hear before kindergarten, the more likely they are to succeed. Parents and caregivers can sing, talk, play with babies and young children to help them build those important school skills.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [LG-246434-OLS-20].
