All children should benefit from language-rich activities during everyday moments with the adults around them. Talking often and engaging in meaningful conversations with young children promotes healthy language and brain development. Feed Me Words’ mission is to support the language and literacy development of Alabama’s youngest children by providing the adults in their lives with access to and awareness of early language and literacy resources. To carry out this mission, we offer two training pathways: one family-focused and one educator-focused.
What is early language and literacy, and why is it important?
Research shows that the number of loving words a baby hears in the early years of life is a strong predictor of their ability to read by third grade and their future success. Children who do not learn the necessary language, comprehension and vocabulary skills at an early age often fall so far behind other kids that they can never catch up. The trajectory of these children’s lives can be dramatically changed if they are engaged from birth in environments rich in warm language, conversation, and other brain-building activities. That is why the Alabama Partnership for Children has embraced a project to unite stakeholders statewide around improving early language development for children birth through age five.
Family-Focused Training: Empowering Families Through Everyday Conversations
Feed Me Words supports Alabama families by promoting a simple but powerful message: everyday conversations—talking, reading, singing, and playing—build babies’ brains and lay the foundation for future success.
We raise awareness among parents and caregivers through printed materials, social media, and community outreach, and equip trusted professionals, such as home visitors, WIC nutritionists, and healthcare providers, to share that same message in their everyday work.
These professionals are trained as Language Nutrition Coaches, supporting families during natural interactions at home, in clinics, and across a variety of settings.
This work is supported by funding from the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).
Educator-Focused Training: Strengthening Language & Literacy in Early Childhood Classrooms
Feed Me Words supports Alabama’s early childhood educators by providing free, research-based professional development that promotes strong language and literacy instruction from birth through age five. Customized group training—delivered both in person and virtually—is designed to meet the unique needs of educators across the state.
Professionals are also encouraged to utilize Cox Campus an online learning platform developed by the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy. These free, evidence-based courses align with our training content and reinforce foundational practices. In partnership with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), we offer a cash incentive to support course completion and promote engagement statewide.
Our Programs
