DIY Kits: Learning at Home (K-2)

Overview/The Need:
In our region, nearly 40% of families struggle to afford their basic needs. The percentage of families without access to critical resources is rising, and that includes the ability to provide learning tools at home that boost childrens performance in school.

Building a DIY Learning at Home Kit is a great way to ensure families have important educational items to fuel learning from home. We encourage you to get your friends and neighbors involved in building these kits!

Supplies Needed:
Sturdy container such as a cardboard box, plastic bin, or drawstring bag (one per kit).
Please include a minimum of three flash card sets and two other items from the list below.

FLASH CARDS (age/grade indicated on box)
Letters
Sight words
Phonics
Addition
Subtraction
Time/money
Any flash cards that are math/literacy focused

WORKBOOKS
Reading readiness, sentence structure, reading comprehension
Math skills, math focus

BOOKS WITH COMMUNITY AND FRIENDSHIP THEME
Learn to read, beginner chapter books

LEARNING GAMES
Uno, Mad Libs

OTHER LITERACY TOOLS/MISC.
Mini dry erase board with marker
Small plastic bin to store items in
Sketch/drawing pad
Pencils/pencil sharpener
Crayons

Please note that one kit can range greatly in price dependingon where the items are purchased and in what quantity. Theaverage range in cost per kit is $10-$30. Please note that some items may be available at dollar or discount stores.

Considerations for Buying Materials:
When you shop for materials, please keep in mindthat children who receive kits come from a variety ofbackgrounds and demographics. Its important to pickmaterials that celebrate and showcase a variety of races,ethnicities, genders, abilities, statuses, and family makeupsto ensure children can see themselves and their peersrepresented in the materials.
Provide materials in multiple languages. You could createa kit completely in another language or mix two languagesinto one kit.
Languages most needed: English, Spanish, Arabic (If you create kits in languages other than English, please let United Way staff know so that they can match you with an appropriate agency.)

How to Build Your Kit:
Select your box/bin/bag plus a minimum of three flash card sets and two additional items from the above list to put in the kit.
Collect or purchase the items. They must be new or never opened.
Build a minimum of five kits.

Host a Drive:
Involve your friends, family and neighbors in your volunteer efforts! Instead of purchasing items alone, host a virtual orin-person item drive. Coordinate a time and place to have the items dropped off or one location to have online purchases shipped. Be sure to set a goal of how many kits you want to complete together!

Delivery Information:
Once you sign up (Select RESPOND), we will share delivery information with you within a few days. All kits will go to local nonprofit agencies.

Share Your Progress:

Dont forget to take pictures of your progress and final products before delivery! Share on social media with #UWVolunteer or #LiveUnited and tag us @UnitedWaySEM.

Download DIY Kit Project Guide