Social media is an exciting way to create a buzz around specific issues and to let your elected officials and other decision-makers know what you think about investing in children.
Following are some tips for connecting with decision-makers and spreading the word, using Facebook and Twitter, and sample posts about early education.
Facebook users can connect directly with their elected officials by typing the person’s name(s) in a post and inserting an @ sign in front of their handle on Facebook. For this to work, though, you have to “like” their page first.
People like pictures. So posting graphics on Facebook is a great way to communicate a simple message to a broad audience and to make the case for preschool expansion.
Join the conversation. See posts about preschool on your newsfeed? Perhaps it’s a child’s first day of preschool, or a parent asking about preschools in the area. Comment below their post and share what you know about early education, or use our sample posts. This is a great opportunity to keep the conversation of preschool going.
ACNJ routinely posts about early learning and encourages you to share the content we create on your own pages. Connect with us on Facebook.
Use this social media site to create and continue conversations about early learning. Twitter uses “hashtags” to group conversations about a certain topic. People tweeting about preschool are using the hashtag #PreKForAll to talk about the importance of high-quality early learning experiences. Other common hastags are #ece and #earlyed. Use these in your Twitter posts.
Just like Facebook users, Twitter users can target messages directly at certain people by inserting the symbol @ at the beginning of their name. Just be sure you are using the same name that they are using on Twitter and Facebook.
Again, ACNJ frequently posts tweets about early education and other children’s issues. With a click of your mouse, you can simply “retweet” and spread the word. Follow us on Twitter.
Sample posts – State-Level Advocacy
Children who attend a good preschool are more likely to do well in school and find better jobs as adults.
Support investments in NJ’s successful preschools. #PreKForAll. @(add targets)
Children who attend a good preschool are less likely to commit crimes or need public assistance later in life. Support investments in NJ’s successful preschools. #PreKForAll. @(add targets)
Too many children are left behind before they even start kindergarten. Quality preschool helps close this gap. Support investments in NJ’s successful preschools. #PreKForAll. @(add targets)
There are no do-overs for kids when it comes to their early childhood. Good preschools are a smart investment. Support investments in NJ’s successful preschools. #PreKForAll. @(add targets)
All parents deserve the chance to send their children to a high-quality preschool program. Support investments in NJ’s successful preschools. #PreKForAll. @(add targets)
The earlier that education starts, the greater the gains. NJ’s successful preschools are closing the achievement gap, but more kids need this quality start. #PreKForAll. @(add targets)
Making sure children get a high-quality preschool experience is a smart investment that pays off for all of us. Support investments in NJ’s successful preschools. #PreKForAll. @(add targets)
Sample Posts – Federal-Level Preschool Advocacy
Federal proposal to expand early learning is a bold step forward. Support this plan. http://1.usa.gov/12OUOC6 #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets)
Early childhood education is a top priority for voters. Seven-in-ten voice support the federal plan to expand quality early education. http://1.usa.gov/12OUOC6 #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets).
Children who attend a good preschool are more likely to do well in school and find better jobs as adults.
Support the federal plan to expand quality preschool. http://1.usa.gov/12OUOC6 #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets)
Too many children are left behind before they even start kindergarten. Quality preschool helps close this gap.
Support the federal plan to expand quality preschool. http://1.usa.gov/12OUOC6 #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets)
There are no do-overs for kids when it comes to their early childhood. Good preschools are a smart investment. Support the federal plan to expand quality preschool. http://1.usa.gov/12OUOC6 #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets)
All parents deserve the chance to send their children to a high-quality preschool program. Support the federal plan to expand quality preschool. http://1.usa.gov/12OUOC6 #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets)
The earlier that education starts, the greater the gains. NJ’s successful preschools are closing the achievement gap, but more kids need this quality start. #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets)
Making sure children get a high-quality preschool experience is a smart investment that pays off for all of us. Support the federal plan to expand quality preschool. #PreKForAll. @(add Congressional targets)
Credit: This tip sheet was developed using the National Women’s Law Center’s Strong Start for Children, Toolkit for Early Learning Advocates
