Public awareness of the importance of transition is a key element to implementation. The creation of Ready Freddy the frog developed from social psychological theories highlighted in The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Because Freddy is a character, he can take many forms and can easily grab the attention of young children and their families.
Using the frog for all marketing, outreach, and activities helps to create instant recognition for kindergarten transition. A community survey in Pittsburgh demonstrated that both families and collaborating agencies now associate Ready Freddy’s image with kindergarten.
Before the frog, outreach teams in the community were often mistaken for salesmen or bill collectors. Families were reluctant to open their doors or speak to team members at all. By wearing bright yellow shirts adorned with the frog logo, outreach teams were met with much warmer receptions.
The Ready Freddy brand has received extensive press coverage and has been integral to building excitement and public awareness around kindergarten and school readiness across the entire city. Pittsburgh Public Schools has adopted the frog to increase outreach for their early childhood and kindergarten programs.
The Ready Freddy Program
University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development
400 North Lexington Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone: 412-244-5385 | Email: rfreddy@pitt.edu
