My Story: How Childhood Shame Sparked a Movement
The Founder Story
Why I Created From the Womb to Words
My name is Sheena Payne, founder of From the Womb to Words.
When I was five years old, I didn’t know my alphabet, and it was pointed out in front of other children. In that moment, I lost confidence — and that feeling stayed with me for years.
As I grew older, I realized many children experience that same moment, not because they lack ability, but because they haven’t been given the opportunity to build strong early foundations.
Before becoming a parent, I worked alongside women from Hungary supporting children with motor disabilities using cognitive therapy and learning techniques. I even had the privilege of helping rehabilitate a child with brain damage, which showed me something powerful — ability is not fixed, it is developed.
When I became a mother, I applied those principles in my own home. I guided my children early, and I witnessed them begin teaching themselves to read at just three and four years old.
Later, while volunteering in classrooms, I saw a consistent pattern — capable children entering school unsure of themselves, and teachers working hard to support students starting at very different levels.
That’s when it became clear:
Learning doesn’t begin at school. It begins at home.
From the Womb to Words was created to support families early, strengthen confidence, and prepare children not just for school, but for independence in any environment.
Today, I am documenting this work as part of a larger vision — to build a national movement and create a blueprint for raising confident, capable children.
Because one truth remains:
Parents are the first teachers — leading our future leaders.
My hope is that through this movement, more children will enter school believing in themselves from the very beginning.
The Solution: Parent Accountability
I believe parents should be graded on how well they prepare their children before school. Imagine if parents received report cards—just like students—for their role in preparing kids through PreK to 3rd grade.
90%
Learning Readiness
Of a child's brain development occurs before age 5, before they ever enter a classroom
3X
Word Gap
Children from language-rich homes hear three times more words than those from language-poor environments
85%
Teacher Impact
Of teachers report spending significant instructional time teaching basic skills children should already have
Not to shame or punish, but to encourage accountability and give families the support they need to succeed in their most important role.
Our 4-Year Literacy Journey
Prenatal (0-9 months)
Begin reading, singing, and talking to your baby before birth, setting the foundation for auditory development and language recognition.
Infant (0-12 months)
Transform daily routines into loving opportunities for connection and learning through sensory play, songs, and interactive storytelling.
Toddler (1-3 years)
Build vocabulary, emotional intelligence, and pre-reading skills through guided play, movement activities, and consistent reading rituals.
Preschool (3-4 years)
Develop classroom readiness, focus, and early literacy through structured activities that prepare children for successful school transition.
Join Our Movement
This isn't just about academics. It's about preparing children's hearts and minds for the world—giving them the confidence to walk into any room with courage, focus, and joy.
By joining our community, you're not just transforming your child's future—you're helping us change classrooms forever.
"It's time to spark a revolution—not in our schools, but in our homes." - Sheena Payne, Founder
From the Womb to Words™ is a program and movement developed and operated by Calm and the City, LLC.