Distribution of free books marked the kickoff Dec. 4 of the Northwest Arkansas "Wash Time is Talk Time" initiative at the Westwood Laundromat in Rogers. The initiative is part of the Laundry & Literacy Project begun in 2012 by Vicki Collet and Conra Gist, assistant professors of childhood education in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas.

Laundromat patrons received three free children's books each, including Red Socks, a story for young children that encourages parents and children to talk together while doing laundry. Colorful posters in both English and Spanish also urged adults to talk, sing, and read with their children. Adult books were available in the laundromat lending library, a good way to pass the time while clothes were washing and drying, Collet said.

The new "Wash Time is Talk Time" initiative encourages adults to engage in conversations with their young children. Studies have found that children from lower-income households hear 30 million fewer words by age 4 than their middle-income peers.

"Because families who use the laundromat spend about 2.5 hours there during each visit, laundromats are a great place to spread the word to parents that simply talking with their children during the early years will help prepare them for school," Collet said.

She is studying the impact of the posters and literacy activities on families' language interactions.

"We think these posters and books will make a positive difference," she said.

In cooperation with Northwest Arkansas laundromat owners, Collet and Gist plan to hang "Wash Time is Talk Time" posters in 26 laundromats in the area. In addition, free book events will occur in several laundromats. The next book distribution will be from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 at Park Street Laundry, 617 Park St., Springdale.

According to Collet, the laundromat, or the laundry room at home, provides lots of opportunities for parents and children to play with words and language together.

"If you think about it," she said, "there is so much happening while you do laundry and so many items and actions parents and caregivers can talk about with their children. For example, parents can describe types of clothes, numbers of objects, colors, shapes on the washers and dryers, and letters of the alphabet that are around the laundromat. There are plenty of things to talk about at the laundromat, so encouraging rich conversations there builds in language and literacy learning without taking extra time during a parent's busy day."

"Wash Time is Talk Time" posters can be downloaded free at www.toosmall.org/laundromats.

"The posters are also a great way to brighten up the laundry room at home and turn it into a learning area," Collet suggested. "Through the simple act of putting up posters, you can add fun and easy ways to support young children's early brain and language development."

The posters were created by the Clinton Foundation's Too Small to Fail initiative, where Collet serves as a content and research advisor. Printing of posters for Northwest Arkansas laundromats was funded by the University of Arkansas Women's Giving Circle.

"The Giving Circle has been a generous supporter of our Laundry & Literacy project," said Collet. "Our work aligns well with their goals of accomplishing change and enriching lives."

For more information about Laundry & Literacy or "Wash Time is Talk Time," contact Collet at collet@uark.edu.