Minnesota Community Foundation & The Saint Paul Foundation: Two Foundations One Direction

9,500 + children have turned into bookworms with the help of Words Work!^TM

Studies show children who develop an early love of reading also develop higher self-esteem and perform better in school. Words Work! gives children this lasting advantage by helping them become successful readers.

This innovative early literacy program helps teachers through mentoring and professional development, and sees parents as partners who reinforce reading at home. The end result is that Words Work! students start elementary school with a real advantage and a love of learning. You can give a child the gift of lifelong learning.

or learn about more giving options to support Words Work! today.

Words Work! across Minnesota. Governor Tim Pawlenty signed an education bill in the summer of 2007 that included $1 million in funding for an early childhood literacy program like Words Work!. As a result of that funding, our program is expanding its partnerships with Head Start programs throughout Minnesota. View a map of our growth.

Words Work! video

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Words Work! in the News

Read more about our early childhood literacy program:
- The Words Work! Initiative; ACET presentation
- Modest gains for early childhood this session; MPR
- Preschool literacy programs shows long-term results; MPR
- Sustaining Change in Every Classroom; Exchange magazine
- When Teachers Are Learning, Children Are Too...; NAEYC*

* Copyright held by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Permission granted from NAEYC. The format that appears here is slightly different from the print journal.

Imagine being a father who is suddenly put into a new role - family reader - but you’re unsure about how to make the most of it. Read more