HOUSTON – The Houston Health Department is excited to announce its partnership with Rupani Foundation USA (RF-USA) that has expanded access to The Basics Houston www.thebasicshouston.org . The Basics Houston videos are now accessible in 10 languages -Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, English, Nepalese, Persian, Spanish, Swahili, Urdu and Vietnamese through sponsorship by the Rupani Foundation.
The Basics Houston teaches parents and caregivers how to help children, birth to age 3, reach their full potential. The Five Basics include: Maximize Love, Manage Stress; Talk, Sing, and Point; Count, Group, and Compare; Explore Through Movement and Play; and Read and Discuss Stories. The Basics Houston website is designed to be a robust digital presence that educates users and provides free resources to bolster brain development and skill-building for young children in their first three years of life. Recently, a translation bar that includes all 10 languages was added to the website.
“The Basics Houston is a vital part of Houston’s youngest population being equipped for success beginning at birth and leading into their adult years of life,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Being housed in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, The Basics Houston initiative expands beyond people merely adopting a concept, rather, it serves as a tool to increase awareness and provide parents and caregivers tools they can leverage to improve their children’s readiness.”
“All children deserve a healthy start, and all Houstonians benefit when that happens,” said Nasruddin Rupani, founder of the Rupani Foundation (RF) and chair of RF-USA. “Translating Basics Houston to 10 languages means doubling down on our shared commitment to be a more inclusive and child-friendly city for many more thousands of families who weave into our unique cultural fabric.”
Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Priority was given to making The Basics Houston accessible to all Houstonians. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life and the impact of experiences that take place in the beginning stages of life are key factors in early brain development. During this critical window of opportunity, brain cells can make up to 1,000 new connections every second – a once-in-a-lifetime speed. These connections contribute to children’s brain function and learning and lay the foundation for their future health and happiness.
The Basics Houston is an affiliate of the Basics Learning Network, a nationally recognized, scientifically proven initiative, founded by Dr. Ron Ferguson to address cognitive skill gaps between children of different races, ethnicities, and parental education levels.
The Basics Houston has partnered with experts throughout Houston to ensure the Five Basics connect directly with local parents and caregivers. Children’s Museum Houston, a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education, produced local videos and developed a series of free in person “fun-shops” that are now available virtually to all Houston-area families. Dr. Quianta Moore, a Fellow in Child Health Policy at Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy, provides ongoing research on best strategies and policies to support children’s development and wellbeing that advances stakeholder interests.
For more information on The Basics Houston and to access resources visit www.thebasicshouston.org. Learn more about Rupani Foundation USA at www.rupanifoundationusa.org