Eager Readers, Successful Learners

Raising a Reader Partners with Parents to Encourage More Reading at Home

“90% of a child’s brain develops by the age of 5,” said Carolyn Shelley, speaking at the family literacy night at Precious Stones preschool in Sedona. “No single activity has proven to be as important to a child’s school success as reading aloud to a child.”

Shelley is the coordinator of Raising a Reader, a program that partners with preschools, child care centers and parents to encourage more reading at home. In Yavapai County and Sedona, the program is implemented by Yavapai College through a grant from First Things First.



Carolyn Shelley speaks about early literacy and brain development

to the parents of Precious Stones Preschool.

 

Precious Stones Preschool began participating in Raising a Reader this month. Through the program, children bring home a red bag filled with books each week to read with their family, and exchange the bag for a new one the following week.  After doing this for sixteen weeks, teachers, parents and children end the program with a celebration, during which children take home a free book and book bag of their very own.

The program has been known to transform children into eager readers. “The children look forward to receiving their bag every week. They want to read more,” said Marla Sutcliffe, Director of Precious Stone Preschool. “Parents, too, are very enthusiastic about this program.”

“We try to read to her every night, but Raising a Reader has helped us be more consistent,” said Bronlin Chandler, father of 4-year old Leah, who attends Precious Stones Preschool.  Daily reading, Chandler explained, has helped Leah expand her vocabulary and verbal skills, which will help her succeed later on.



 “The love of reading is linked to life success,” said Carolyn Shelley. “All it takes is 10 minutes of reading a day-not a huge investment of time- to help a child build a strong foundation.” With the help of Raising a Reader, more children in Sedona will be raring and ready to read.

 

Raising a Reader is a free program for licensed child care centers and preschools funded by First Things First. For more information about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.