"By the time a child arrives for kindergarten, 85 percent of the brain is developed.   If the brain is purposefully stimulated and nurtured before a child is old enough to tie his or her shoes, that child's lifelong capacity to learn will be forever enhanced.  And, unfortunately, if it is not, an opportunity is lost forever."    
         
Governor Jennifer Granholm

R.E.A.D.Y. PRODUCTS -- THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

WELCOME to the Michigan Department of Education's national award-winning R.E.A.D.Y. program.  This program is a key component of Governor Jennifer Granholm's Project Great Start early childhood effort.

The R.E.A.D.Y. program was developed in 1998, by the Michigan Department of Education and early childhood and literacy experts to increase parent and caregiver awareness of the important connection between their child's early learning and future success.

The main component of this program is the R.E.A.D.Y. kit. This kit provides parents, family members and caregivers with engaging information, materials and learning activities to help children beginning at birth develop the language and literacy skills needed to enter school READY.  

Since its inception, R.E.A.D.Y. has become one of the most successful early childhood parent information programs in Michigan and throughout the country.  It also has been shipped internationally to Australia, Canada, Asia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries around the world.

The R.E.A.D.Y. kit is available for three age groups, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  Each kit contains over a dozen educational materials including: a quality children's book and pocket-size book list, learning activities and reminder magnet, a music cassette, a child development video and booklet by I am Your Child, a child development ages and stages wheel, and other products to help young children learn and succeed. 

R.E.A.D.Y. Works!
To date over 1.5 million Michigan parents have received kits.  R.E.A.D.Y. materials have become a key component of parenting programs, early learning, and school readiness programs across the state.  But most impressive have been the results.  Almost all parents said they used and valued the kit.  Over two-thirds of parents said the kit provided important information and motivated them to read and interact more with their child -- success almost unheard of with commercially developed products.

Other R.E.A.D.Y. Products

The award-winning R.E.A.D.Y. video, "It Starts with a Book ... And You," illustrating learning activities for parents to share with their young children.

The R.E.A.D.Y. for School Pack for 4 to 6 year oldsfilled with over 30 literacy-based learning activities centered around the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This popular learning pack is consistent with No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Reading First, and Early Reading First.

HOW TO ORDER
R.E.A.D.Y.kits and other materials may be PUCHASED ONLINE for a small cost at a secure site or by downloading an order form that can be faxed or mailed to our R.E.A.D.Y. production and distribution partner Central Michigan University's, Educational Materials Center (EMC).  EMC may also be reached at (800) 214-8961 or (989) 774-3953.

PRICING

                                                Michigan                    National   

R.E.A.D.Y. Goes NATIONAL

As a result of national interest, select R.E.A.D.Y. products are now available nationwide. Revenues generated from national sales will be used to provide free kits to Michigan parents.

Program Information
For program information contact: Jan Ellis (517) 373-9391.  Click here to view our R.E.A.D.Y. Power Point Presentation on how young children learn as well as information on this important program. 

RESOURCES

• For additional early childhood information for parents click here.
• For information on early childhood programs at the Michigan Department of Education click here.
• For early childhood research and instruction information click here