Children who live in print-rich environments and who are read to during the first years of life are more likely to learn to read at and above grade level. About 16 percent of parents of children age 3 years and younger do not read at all with their children, and 23 percent do so only once or twice a week. Percentages are even lower among low-income families, whose children face the highest risk of literacy problems.
The Central Minnesota United Way recognizes the importance of developing reading skills at an early age through its Imagination Library book distribution program. Children from birth to their 5th birthday can be enrolled in the program and are eligible to receive free books. The child receives a new, age-appropriate, hard cover book — sent to them at their home each month until their 5th birthday. Programs like Reach Out and Read, efforts of the United Way through Imagination Library, or other early literacy programs are critical to support. The difference made through early reading skills is too significant to ignore.
Go to http://www.unitedwayhelps.org/ to learn more about this and all that the United Way Does for children. Then, please consider giving to the United Way of Central Minnesota. I am challenging the St. Cloud Area School District 742 employees to give at least $1 per pay period starting January of 2010.
Happy Thanksgiving and give thanks to the United Way for what they do.
