The Basics in Ritenour: Building Bright Futures from Birth to Age 5

Every Child. Every Family. Every Day. 

Ritenour School District is proud to partner with The Basics, a community-wide initiative that helps families and caregivers support strong brain development and learning in children from birth to age five.

Grounded in research from Harvard University and used in communities across the nation, The Basics offers five simple, powerful principles that every family can use in everyday moments to help their children grow, learn, and thrive:

1. Maximize Love, Manage Stress
   Show warmth and affection, and help children feel secure.
2. Talk, Sing, and Point
   Engage children in conversation to build language and early literacy.
3. Count, Group, and Compare
   Use daily routines to introduce numbers, shapes, and problem-solving.
4. Explore through Movement and Play
   Encourage curiosity, creativity, and physical activity.
5. Read and Discuss Stories
   Read together often and ask questions to build comprehension and imagination.

Why It Matters

The first five years of life are a period of incredible growth and development. During these early years, a child’s brain forms more than one million new connections every second. Everyday interactions  - singing, playing, reading, and talking - are the building blocks for lifelong learning and success.

Through The Basics, Ritenour families receive practical tools, community support, and shared resources that make it easy to turn ordinary moments into powerful opportunities for learning.

Join Us as a Community Partner

Ritenour is inviting community partners - including early childhood centers/daycares, libraries, health providers, faith-based organizations, and local businesses - to join us in spreading The Basics message throughout our community.

By working together, we can ensure that every child in Ritenour enters school ready to learn, confident and thriving.

If your organization would like to get involved or help share The Basics with families, please contact:

Dr. Jennifer Singleton
(314) 493-6240
singletonj@ritenourschools.org

Important Links

• The Basics Website
• Ritenour Resources: English
• Ritenour Resources: Spanish
• Activities to Learn and Grow with Your Child

Videos

English

Spanish