PRE-SCHOOL READING PROGRAM
"Reading is Fun-damental"
Books have the power to benefit toddlers and preschoolers in a myriad of ways.
Kiwanis International has made a priority of promoting reading to children ages 1 to 5 years old.
During the first five years of a child’s life, research shows us that brain development for children is at its most crucial stage. By age two, a baby’s brain has reached 80% of its adult size. Children begin to develop cognitive, social, emotional, and language skills during these formative years which make young children our number one priority during this stage of life.
Books have the power to benefit toddlers and preschoolers in a myriad of ways. As a parent, reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to prepare him or her with a foundation for academic excellence a higher aptitude for learning in general. Numerous studies have shown that students who are exposed to reading as toddlers and preschoolers are more likely to do well in all facets of formal education.
The Kiwanis Club of Seminole Breakfast has been conducting its “Reading is Fun-damental” Pre-School Reading Program since 1997. In the past, the club collected new and used books from a variety of sources and partners. For example, book drives held for several years beginning in 2013 at Anona, Bauder, Oakhurst, Orange Grove, Seminole and Starkey elementary schools produced over 12,600 children’s books! Today our club only purchases new (versus collecting used) age-appropriate books for this program.
Get Involved
Our Kiwanis club members along with other community volunteers visit local preschools to read to students. In the past, we’ve had up to 18 preschools participating.
At the end of each classroom story session, each child is presented a new book of their own. The hope is that each child who receives a book will take it home and practice reading it with their parents, grandparents or even siblings until the children can comprehend, recognize or even read the words on the pages themselves.
