WHY USE THE BASICS?

Research shows that in the first three years of life, skill gaps emerge between        socio-economic, racial, and ethnic groups. Simple interactions can help. In fact, everyday interactions between children, their parents, and other caregivers provide abundant opportunities to give every child a more equal start in life.

The Chattanooga Basics are five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles that can benefit children from all backgrounds. A broad range of Chattanooga organizations and community members will soon be helping to ensure that every parent and caregiver is fully supported in using the Chattanooga Basics practices in everyday life.

Chattanooga Basics was launched by volunteers within the Chattanooga community, in association with the Boston Basics organization, a public-private partnership that grew out of work by the Achievement Gap Initiative (AGI) at Harvard University. AGI is a university-wide effort based at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kennedy School, supporting governmental, civic, and private sector mechanisms, like the Chattanooga Basics, to close skill gaps between racial, ethnic, and income groups, and to raise achievement levels for all children.