“I’ve been kind of living in L.A. and wanted to get involved with something local,” says Waterhouse. “What struck me is how isolated and incredibly impoverished these agricultural areas in California are,” she explains. So far, Waterhouse’s work with Save the Children has included participating in its Early Steps to School Success program, focusing on young children up to age 5. The actress joins mothers and children at schools and inside their homes to play, build blocks, and read. Many of the kids she meets have never owned a single book. “Early childhood learning is a privilege—one that many of us take for granted,” Waterhouse explains. Save the Children has identified that without the program’s resources and coaching, parents would have few options to create successful at-home learning environments for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.