Did you know childhood literacy can have a huge impact on later education? The start to literacy begins at home as children learn to read. The United Way believes in providing children with education opportunities as early as possible.
According to the National Institute for Literacy:
“The years from birth through age 5 are a critical time for children’s development and learning. Learning to read begins well before children enter school.
Children who develop more literacy skills in the preschool years perform better in the primary grades. Providing young children with the critical precursor skills to reading can offer a path to improved overall achievement.”
See report: Early Literacy: A Community Commitment
Which is why, on June 14th, we will be holding our Sixth Annual Power of the Purse. This event raises funds for the Imagination Library. From birth to age five, enrolled children are provided with one book per MONTH. Any child from birth to age five who is a resident of Olmsted County can participate. Currently, 61% of eligible children participate.
Please consider donating a purse or participating in our purse auction. By providing books to this program, we can have a large impact in the life of a child that will ripple through our community for years. And be sure to enroll all the children YOU know so that they may also enjoy the wider world that can be opened with a book.
Share: What helped spur you to read as a child?
