When your child begins their Waterford Upstart journey, they are not just logging into a program, they are stepping into a world filled with characters who cheer them on, celebrate their progress, and make learning feel like an adventure. At the heart of that world are Rusty and Rosy, two beloved friends who have been part of Waterford since the beginning. For decades, young learners have grown up with them while learning reading, math, and science. While their look has evolved since 1970, their purpose has not changed; to help every child build the skills and confidence to reach the critical milestones that set the foundation for future success.

Rusty and Rosy do not learn alone. They’re joined by a small team of friends: Scout, Teo, and Cora, each one guiding your child through a different part of their early learning journey. Together, they turn 15-20 valuable minutes a day into something your child will look forward to.

 

Let’s introduce you to the team.

 

Scout Squirrel: Your Child’s Reading Buddy

If your child loves stories, Scout will quickly become their favorite companion. With boundless energy and a cheerful voice, Scout helps children:

  • Recognize letters and sounds
  • Build phonics skills
  • Learn early reading strategies
  • Even practice spelling their own name

Scout celebrates every milestone, big or small, helping children feel proud of their progress and excited to keep going.

 

Teo Turtle: Making Math Feel Like Play

Teo is gentle, patient, and endlessly encouraging, the perfect guide for early math.

With Teo by their side, children explore:

  • Number recognition
  • Counting
  • Patterns
  • Early addition and subtraction

Teo turns math into a hands-on adventure, helping children build confidence one small success at a time.

 

 

Cora Cardinal: Sparking Curiosity Through Science 

Cora is the friend who helps children make sense of the world around them. She introduces big ideas in simple, joyful ways, including:

  • The five senses
  • Seasons
  • States of matter
  • Plants and animals

Cora’s lessons are designed to spark curiosity, the kind that leads to questions, discoveries, and “Wow!” moments.