80% of brain development occurs in the first three years of a child's life. During this formative period, skill gaps between socio-economic, racial, and ethnic groups become apparent and widen as children grow to school age.
The Newburgh Basics utilizes five simple research-based strategies that stimulate brain and language development and support school readiness through play, singing, storytelling, and positive physical contact.
These organic activities don't require large sums of money or significant parental education, which makes the Newburgh Basics equitable and accessible to families of all cultures, languages, incomes, and racial demographics. The Basics also supports the identification of learning challenges which helps families seek services earlier.

The Newburgh Basics was launched in 2017 and sustained through collaborations with the Childcare Council of Orange County, Head Start of Eastern Orange County, Orange County Department of Health, Cornerstone FHC, Montefiore Hospital Kaplan Birthing Center, Access Supports for Living Healthy Families, Newburgh Free Library, Newburgh Jewish Community Center, and Newburgh Armory, however, during COVID the Basics became inactive.
The Basics collaborative provided parent workshops and events to introduce the Basics and how to use them, and also provided professional development to childcare providers on how to implement the Basics in their daily routines with children.

The Newburgh Basics Family Day will take place 5/27/23 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm @ the Newburgh Armory.

The event will include:
Fun interactive family learning stations that will introduce the Basics to families and how to organically use them.
Distribution of Newburgh Basics Bags which include books, local resources, and how to use the Basics organically throughout the day.
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