"We’re creating peaceful, joyful moments around books to encourage reading and learning,”
In an effort to improve reading skills of young children, a multi-year project called “The Raising A Reader Initiative” has been launched in Phoenix. The program targets children five years of age and younger who live in multi-family communities. It’s designed to help children develop the skills needed to be a successful reader.
Southwest Human Development, a non-profit organization, has teamed up with the Arizona Multihousing Association to offer the program at apartment communities in central and north Phoenix. “These are very diverse populations,” said Ginger Ward, CEO of Southwest Human Development. “The assumption was there are a lot of little kids in these communities and parents are interested in proven literacy programs like this.”
Willow Springs, an apartment complex near 35th Avenue and Indian School Road, is one of the locations taking part in the project. Training specialists provide a series of eight workshops, reading materials and an introduction to the public library. At the conclusion of the program, Southwest Human Development provides new books to participating families.
Marlene Moreno, a training specialist, said encouraging parents to read, sing songs and play with their children is essential to learning, especially in the time between birth and pre-school. “We’re creating peaceful, joyful moments around books to encourage reading and learning,” said Moreno.
The biggest challenge so far has been finding age-appropriate books in multiple languages. Moreno leads two sessions at Willow Springs, one for Spanish speakers and another for those who speak Bhutanese and Nepali.
The Raising A Reader Initiative” is made a possible with grant funding of $82,000 from First Things First and $35,000 from JP Morgan Chase.
Source: Arizona Republic 1-24-2010
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/01/24/20100124phxreader0124.html
KAET Channel 8 features The Raising A Reader Initiative on Horizonte 2-25-2010
http://www.azpbs.org/video/play.php?vidId=1793