Partnering in this way is the least we can do to support our children and their families.”įield trips were prohibited for most of the year, so Fox and Walstrum worked to bring the library celebration to the schools. Stepping up to expand this literacy program is everything The Judy Center stands for. Michaels Judy Center, Genevra Farrer adds, “Our kids and their families have missed out on so much. We also expanded the program at Critchlow Adkins Childcare Centers to include 2 and 3-year-olds! It was a very productive TECAC meeting.” The site coordinator of the St. We more than doubled the number of families engaged in the program.
Michaels and local funds were prioritized for our 3 other schools. Our Judy Centers jumped on the opportunity to provide the classic red bag rotation for our K students in Easton and St. I mentioned it at a Talbot Early Childhood Advisory Council meeting. We felt compelled to include them somehow in the program. Our current Kindergarteners missed out completely last year. “But COVID made us think differently about providing access to the program and to the library. The library is the cornerstone of that.” says Amy Walstrum, the other program co-coordinator.
Supporting families in enhancing or establishing home-based literacy routines is the most important part of this program. They receive their library card, a blue library book bag to keep, tour the library, listen to a story, and check out books. “Usually, at the end of the school year, PreK students celebrate the program’s culmination by taking a field trip to the library. Bonding over books encourages young children to form positive associations with books and reading now that will carry through later in life,” says Katie Fox, a program co-coordinator. “Children are more likely to enjoy something that they see their families enjoying. After we read all the books Jordan will grab two books and ask us which one we want to read.” says one Easton parent, highlighting the importance of fostering intrinsic reading motivation. We put all the books out and read each title and then let Jordan decide which one she wants to read first.
Our daughter Jordan is so excited to get new books to read every week. “Our family loves the Raise a Reader program. Loving adults “book-cuddle” with children to encourage development of early language and literacy skills that are critical for academic and life success. Each week young learners take home red bags containing 4 high-quality diverse books. The program aims to substantially increase the number of families who frequently and routinely share picture books and stories with their children. All PreK and Kindergarten students participated in a program called Raising A Reader, an evidence-based family engagement literacy program designed specifically for young children and their developing brains. What do you get when you combine watermelon, a “story stroll”, 600 PreK & K students, and a librarian? Pure Joy! In May, that is what happened in Talbot County at 5 public elementary schools during their Raising A Reader Blue Bag Bashes.
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