Getting Kids "Ready to Read"
We’re big proponents of early learning…getting those young brain cells fired up even before children are walking or talking. The more inspired young minds are, the more their cognitive potential increases.
That’s why reading to young children is so important and why we were happy to support the thinking behind the United Way of Tri-County’s (UWTC) Ready to Read program with a 2012 capacity building planning grant.
The program, which celebrated its first anniversary yesterday at the Pusan Road Community Center, provides Framingham children with three new books every four months from birth until they enter kindergarten, for a total of 60 new, age appropriate books.
UWTC hosts the quarterly get together in partnership with the Framingham Housing Authority. Families stop by to pick up their latest trio of books, engage in a craft project, get their face painted or lounge on the sofa and read a story. Yesterday's birthday event included pizza and cake. In its first year, 63 children participated. Parents report that they are reading with their children more often and for a longer time period and that their children are increasingly interested in and excited about reading. A good start to a worthwhile program.
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