Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Children’s Council Raising Readers in the High Country

Story by Garrett Simmons

Children at Mountain Pathways hold up their Raising a Reader bookbags. Each week they exchange the finished books for four new books to read with their parents. Studies show that by the time a child reaches his/her fifth birthday, 90 percent of brain growth has already occurred. That is why Children’s Council and the Smart Start Partnership of Watauga are focusing on that vital period with their take-home book program, Raising a Reader. Their goal is to give every child in the High Country an equal opportunity at life success by promoting daily reading for parents and their young children.

Raising a Reader works by developing a reading routine. “The idea is that parents will set aside a specific time every day for reading,” said Jennifer Kearse, executive director of the Children’s Council.

With the help of a two-year grant from the Smart Start Partnership, the Children’s Council currently provides ready-to-use kits at Mountain Pathways, Sugar Grove Developmental Day School, Merry-Land Academy, and Learning and Fun. The reading kits include a bright red bag for children to carry their books, four children’s books, a “read aloud” video for parents, and teacher training and curriculum.

Each week, children visit the library with their bright red library bags and exchange the previous week’s books for four new books to take home and read with their parents. Kearse said the program is effective because it makes going to the library a fun event for children to look forward to. “It’s exciting to watch their reactions,” she said. “They’re really proud of their bookbags, and they can’t wait to get back to the library for new books.”

Kearse said one of the most important aspects of the program is that it gets parents involved with their children’s education. “Family involvement matters. For children to be successful they need a supportive environment,” she said. “Developing that environment early makes a difference later in the child’s life.”
It is estimated that one in three children entering kindergarten lacks basic pre-reading skills, key factors in determining high-school graduation and future success.

Raising a Reader develops children’s love of reading early in life to prepare them for the future. “Reading is no longer a chore,” said Kearse. “It’s become something children genuinely enjoy doing.”

For more info about Raising a Reader, contact Jennifer Kearse at 828-262-5424, or click to www.raisingareader.org.