Mini University is a program started through Wright State University (WSU) in 1987 to support, care for and educate kids. Staff from WSU participated in their March Madness Reading Program, where they visited the university and read to kids.
The facility is located on WSU's campus, with partnering locations at Miami University and Sinclair University. Families in the community can enroll children between the ages of six weeks and five years for childcare.
Read Across America Day is on March 2 every year, and this year it began the March Madness Reading Challenge at Mini University, with the goal of getting families to read aloud to their children.
Sarah Rainey, the Director of Mini University, shared why this goal is so important, and a focus of their program.
“Ninety percent of the brain is developed within the first five years of life, the very age of our students, making these early experiences critical,” Rainey said. “Research shows that children who read regularly develop stronger language skills, larger vocabularies and better listening comprehension," Rainey said.
Many WSU members participated in the event, including student athletes, education majors, deans of the university, public service officers and even President Sue Edwards.
By reading to the kids, WSU students and staff are able to make long-lasting connections with these kids. President Sue shared what being a part of the experience meant to her.
"I love visiting Mini University to read with the children and inspire a love of books. Reading is so important for early brain development, and it’s incredibly fun to see their excitement. Books truly open up the world to children,” Edwards said.
Mini University is always looking for more ways to include WSU students and staff in their initiatives. This offers both support and education to the kids and experience for the students.
“Over the past year, we’ve collaborated on a wide range of events and initiatives, including Healthy Teeth Day with pre-dental students, Trunk or Treat in partnership with the Department of Public Safety, Teddy Bear Hospital with medical students from the Boonshoft School of Medicine, National Police Week, and field trips to the Nutter Center to visit student athletes and connect with students studying kinesiology,” Rainey said.
This gives students who plan to work with kids real-life experience in their field. Likewise, it gives the kids they are volunteering with more support and the opportunity to learn more than they would at a typical daycare.
"Our friendly staff is excited to come to work every day because they have a passion for educating young children. We have high standards of employment and require all lead teachers to have degrees in early childhood education," the Mini University mission statement reads.
Mini University is especially helpful for students and staff who have families. Although the program has open enrollment to the public, priority is given to WSU community members to ensure they have the support they need while studying or working. This also provides on-campus childcare for those who need it.
