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Reading with a preschool
child is the single most important activity to prepare a
child for school, that’s the ELP message. To help make
this possible, we have three literacy programs to
support York County children.
Born To Read
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Visitation of all new mothers (who consent) while in the
hospital to assess for and avail them to programs;
provides book, bag, bib, classical music tape and
pertinent information re: resources in community.
Education on the importance of early brain development
and early literacy is a part of the Born to Read
Program. |
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Reach Out and Read
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Doctors and staff in 6 pediatric practices are currently
trained in and using this program; new, age-appropriate
books are provided for each child 6 months to 5 years
who comes for a well-child visit and doctor gives
anticipatory guidance to parent.; “gently loved” books
are also provided for the siblings; doctors use this
opportunity to educate parents about the importance of
reading and talking to the child and the relationship of
these early literacy activities to brain development.
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Visit the
Reach Out and Read SC website
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Dolly Parton Imagination Library
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The Imagination Library was created by Dolly Parton in 1996
so that every preschool child in her home of Sevier
County, Tennessee, would have their own library of books
that would encourage in them love of reading and
learning. The program was so successful and generated
such interest from across the country that, after much
thought, Dolly decided to offer her Imagination Library
for replication in any community that would support it.
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Reading with a preschool child is the single most important
activity to prepare a child for school, that’s the ELP
message. To help make this possible, we recently
launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to ensure York County children have
access to age-appropriate books in their homes. Once
enrolled, the child receives a hard-cover book by mail
each month.
This program is a
community driven initiative that costs ELP $30 per
child, per year, or $150 from birth to age five.
ELP fundraises to provide this important program to York
County children.
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Project Book Find
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Project
Book Find is an excellent opportunity for
volunteers who enjoy mobilizing groups in their
community to help make a difference. Volunteers
organize book drives to collect children’s
books, new or gently used, for families who
really need them. Did you know that children who
live in print-rich environments, and are read to
in their preschool years, are much more likely
to learn to read on schedule?
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Poor
families may lack the money to buy books, may
not have easy access to good children’s books,
and may not have been read to when they were
children. Early reading problems may mean school
failure, which increases the risk of dropping
out, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and
teenage pregnancy. Children whose parents read
aloud to them have a higher rate of success in
school.
The purpose of Project Book Find is to increase
the number of quality reading materials in the
home and places where families may wait, such as
the doctor’s office. Volunteers can organize
book drives at local churches, schools or
community clubs and organization meetings.
Children’s books can be collected as an “entry
fee” to meetings and community special events,
such as football games. Many community members
probably have grown children with stacks of
young children’s books at home, ready to be
“recycled.” The Early Learning Partnership can
make sure the books are provided to families
throughout York County who need them. |
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For more
information about our Literacy Programs, contact ELP
office at (803) 323-2180.
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