Ashe County Preschoolers Get “Game Changing” Gift
ApSeed joins annual Back 2 School Blast with pre-K learning tools given directly to families
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ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — At this year’s Back 2 School Blast, 150 of Ashe County’s youngest learners went home with something designed to help get them ready for their own first day of kindergarten: An ApSeed.
On August 8, ApSeed participated in the annual community event hosted by Ashe County Schools and the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, distributing 150 free pre-K educational touchpads to local preschool families.
The ApSeed is purpose-built for preschoolers and comes preloaded with educational games and activities that build foundational skills in letters, numbers, shapes, colors and more. There’s no Wi-Fi, camera or internet access, giving young children a safe way to learn and play at home or on the go.
“Back-to-school preparation shouldn’t begin when a child reaches kindergarten,” said Dr. Julie Morrow, ApSeed executive director and Ashe County resident. “Those preschool years are incredibly important. Putting ApSeed directly into the hands of families gives children a fun way to build the skills and confidence they’ll need when their first day of school arrives.”
The ApSeed touchpads are provided at no cost to families thanks to public and private donors. Families also receive a kindergarten-readiness guide and ongoing coaching texts with simple ideas to help parents and caregivers support learning at home.
For ApSeed, participating in the Back 2 School Blast extends that community-wide preparation to children who aren’t in school yet.
“Every child deserves the chance to walk into kindergarten ready to learn — not already behind,” said ApSeed founder Greg Alcorn. “Reaching families early is one of the simplest and most powerful investments we can make in a child’s future.”