Budding Readers

In the Budding Readers Program, Reading Partners make books come alive weekly with three-year-old children in child care centers to help them blossom into life-long lovers of books, reading and learning.

2010-2011 Program Outcomes:

  • Reading Partners at 13 partnership sites served 328 children.
  • 88 percent of children demonstrated development in early literacy skills to prepare them for future success in school.
  • 6,404 books were distributed to children to begin a home library.

PROGRAM IMPACT

My son Ali was quite shy and it was like pulling teeth to get him to talk about books and verbalize, but that all changed when he started reading with Miss Ruby in the Literacy Coalition’s Budding Readers program. Now his face lights up when he sees books and he has come out of his shell. He has taken a special interest in reading and books.

At home he wants to keep a reading log just like his older sister does for school and he tries to read to his younger brother, Taylor. When he shows me one of the take home books he received from the program he says, “This is what Miss Ruby does” pointing to the title of the book, turning the pages and telling me all about the story. The Snowy Day is his favorite take home book from the program. 

I have also noticed Ali trying to write more letters. I keep magnetic letters on the refrigerator and he will point to the letters he recognizes. Then he will show me how Miss Ruby works with him to learn the letters in his name and the alphabet.

Miss Ruby is always so happy to be with the children. When she speaks to the children her voice is always soft and respectful and her warm smiling face is like sunshine. My son is truly blossoming in his love of reading and books through the Budding Readers program. 

Shantoria Burns, Parent
Tiny Tikes Academy