PRESCHOOLERS AT THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN HACKENSACK, N.J., RAISE $2,000 FOR YCS HOLLEY CHILDCARE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Preschoolers at The Learning Experience® (TLE®), the country’s fastest growing early learning academy for children 6 weeks to 6 years old, in Hackensack participated in the 3rd Annual Nationwide BeCause Our Hearts Beat philanthropy event and helped raise awareness and $2,000 for the Youth Consultation Service (YCS) Holley Childcare and Development Center. As part of the early learning academy’s first-of-its-kind philanthropy curriculum, preschoolers across all TLE®’s 150 centers are being taught lessons of hope and learning about being charitable.

Tying in Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, the preschoolers created edible “heart art” cookies which were sold to benefit YCS Holley Center, a safe haven to 64 children ages 5-12 who, through no fault of their own, cannot live at home. Some have been removed from abusive or dangerous situations and have no other family members.

“The children at our center were highly enthusiastic about creating edible art cookies in support of such a great organization,” said Monica Mustacchio, Center Director at TLE® Hackensack. “Through our unique philanthropy curriculum, our students are learning to apply the basic tenets of philanthropy beyond the classroom and into their home and community lives, lessons that will stick with them into adulthood.”

On a national level, over the past three years, TLE® has raised more than $500,000 for Make-A-Wish®, its partner in creating the early learning academy’s philanthropic curriculum. Make-A-Wish®, grants wishes for children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in the United States and its territories. On average, Make-A-Wish® grants one wish every 38 minutes.

“The Learning Experience® is pleased to continue to host events at centers to benefit such great causes and teach our children invaluable lessons,” said Richard Weissman, Chairman and CEO of TLE®.

With the help of Grace The GreyhoundÔ and Charity ChihuahuaÔ, the lovable and huggable dog mascots for philanthropy at TLE®, the philanthropy curriculum helps teach children that it is not how big or small you are, it is the size of your heart that matters. Through animation, classroom activities and participatory songs, Grace and Charity introduce children to topics like the value of helping others, volunteering and donating.

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About The Learning Experience®

The Learning Experience® (TLE®) is the nation’s fastest growing early learning academy for children ages six months to five years old. With a greater national emphasis on educational development during the most crucial years of a child’s growth, TLE® places a prominent focus on programs that advance scholastic preparation. TLE® prepares children academically and socially via innovative scholastic and enrichment programs such as the L.E.A.P® curriculum, a cutting-edge proprietary approach to learning which has more than 95 percent of TLE® children graduating preschool reading at a Kindergarten or greater level. To complement the academic portion, TLE utilizes various enrichment programs crucial to advancing learning and overall balance, such as philanthropy, baby yoga, music, physical fitness, manners and etiquette, and Spanish language.

For more information, please visit www.thelearningexperience.com. PP4NM