Celebrating reading, next week….

Joyce & Carolyn sent this over, and asked me to share it with you:

A Birthday Invitation

“I am what I am! That’s a great thing to be!
If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!”
From Happy Birthday To You! By Dr. Seuss

Next Tuesday....drop on by!

Since 1998, March 2nd has been designated as Read Across America Day. Why March 2nd? That’s Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and what better day to celebrate and get kids excited about reading – adults, too, for that matter. Dr. Seuss’ books emphasize his philosophy that “nonsense wakes up the brain cells”!

Reading is a crucial building block – brain cell builder for lifelong learning. You cannot start too early!

We encourage you to make your home a reading environment home. This not only helps children develop thinking, listening and communication skills, but also promotes later success in school. According to Pre-K Now, a campaign of the Pew Center of the States (2009), “if children enter school unprepared, they may never catch up to their peers”.

William H Gates, Sr., co-chairman of Washington’s Thrive by Five, was the keynote speaker at the San Juan County Early Learning Leadership luncheon in June, 2008. His message stressed that investments in early learning pay huge dividends for children, families and society. By increasing the likelihood that children will be literate, and become gainfully employed, we decrease school drop-out rates, reduce the need for remedial education, reduce crime and delinquency, and increase employment and earnings. “The first five years have so much to do with how the next 80 turn out,” Gates said.

Early learning research describes a young child’s brain as a place of constant activity. Indeed, a three year old’s brain is twice as active as yours or ours. A child between the ages of birth to five is continuously alert through all of his/her senses, and his/her brain is “ready to receive”. How fortunate that this early learning research has been pivotal in the planning of activities for children and families here on San Juan Island. Children are born learning! We encourage you to visit the Born Learning Trail at the Family Park at the Fairgrounds and learn to turn simple ideas into learning games.

Experience even more opportunities promoting early learning and literacy by attending Lapsit and Linger, Preschool Storytime, and the occasional Pajama Storytimes that bring parents and children together to support and enhance the reading environment at home.

With funding provided by Thrive by Five of Washington, the San Juan Early Learning Consortium, in partnership with the San Juan Island Public Library and the San Juan Island Community Foundation, is pleased to invite everyone to join this local birthday party for Dr. Seuss on March 2nd at 3:30 p.m. at the public library. Who knows? Maybe some of your favorite Seuss characters will appear for this afternoon birthday cake celebration!

Happy Birthday, today, Dr. Seuss! Happy Reading everyone, everyday!

Dr. Carolyn Haugen is the Chair, of the SJCF Education Workgroup of the Critical Needs Task Force. Joyce Sobel is the Director of the San Juan Island Family Resource Center. Both are members of the San Juan County Early Learning Consortium.

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