Say it with me: “One. Two. Three. Four. Five!” Parents, just like that you have started talking to your child(ren) about counting and the Census. The Census is important to the success of your family’s future and the community around you. So what is the Census? The Census is a count of all the people living in the United States. That really big number is then used to make sure that money and elected representation are fairly distributed. The great thing is that everyone living in the U.S. for more than six months, including the newborns we welcomed before April 1, should be counted. That’s right: No matter your age, gender, immigration or economic status, or religion, you count in the Census.

“Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten!” Think of these as years, because it will be another ten of them before we have another chance to be counted in the Census. Right now is so important. Imagine a child who is under five right now being left out of the Census count. They would be eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen years old before they are counted in the next Census. Funding influenced by Census data supports schools and their lunch programs, hospitals and their emergency preparedness and our elected officials with the information needed to adequately resource your neighborhood and family.

Answering 10 questions, for about 10 minutes, can create 10 years of impact—for you, your family and the community. Completing the Census and talking to your child(ren) about it provides you with an opportunity to help them develop the lifelong skill of counting, expands their knowledge of the world around them, and brings attention to diversity and the position we each have in life. 

Say it with me. “One I count, two you count, three we count!” Complete the 2020 Census today, be counted yourself, and spread the word to your friends, family and neighbors to be counted, too!

Complete your 2020 Census form online or by calling (844) 330-2020.

Learn more about 2020 Census at NYPL.