2400 N. Croatan Hwy, Suite D PO Box 2539 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Phone 252-441-0614 Fax 252-441-3580

Raising A Reader

"The simple habit of reading to a child is one of the most powerful ways to help that child become successful in life."
Gabrielle E. Miller, Ed.D., National Executive Director, Raising A Reader

Raising A Reader’s mission is to engage parents in a routine of daily “book cuddling” with their children from birth to age five, using a take-home book bag program to promote healthy brain development, bonding between parents and their children, and early reading skills that are important when entering school.

Beginning in 2009, Raising A Reader began providing books and knowledge to children and families in Dare County Head Start. With the help of Smart Start and Dare Education Foundation, Raising A Reader was able to expand in the fall of 2010 to include First Flight Elementary School’s More at Four classroom as well. As of the fall of 2011, Raising A Reader continues to serve the children in Dare County Head Start and in a NC Pre-Kindergarten classroom at First Flight Elementary School (formerly More at Four). Raising A Reader currently serves 58 children in Dare County.

Red Bag

How the program works: Children are given a Red Book Bag each week in their classroom with four high-quality books and a Read-Aloud DVD. On check-out day, children take the book bags home so that their family can enjoy reading the books together for a week. After the bags are returned, children are given a new book bag, with four new books inside to take home for new reading adventures. Raising A Reader books are also read during group story time in the classroom, and children enjoy hearing familiar stories that they have heard at home.

Blue Bag

At the end of the year, a Blue Bag Celebration is held in collaboration with the Dare County Libraries. At this event, children and families celebrate their year of reading and book sharing and each child receives a Blue Book Bag to keep and use as a library bag when visiting the library. Equipped with a library card and new Book Bag, children and their families are ready to use the library on an ongoing basis, building a family habit of selecting books and reading together.

 

In Dare County’s Raising A Reader program, families are also invited to attend parent workshops, in addition to the Blue Bag Celebration, to gain insight into reading strategies, local resources, and early brain development. Engaging families in Raising A Reader at the onset of the program promotes an awareness of the importance of early literacy and encourages parents to take an active role in building reading habits at home with their children.

Reading Now Matters Later

What matters most for your child’s school success?

Reading

YOU.

Your voice, your home, your family can do more to help a young child be ready for reading than any teacher or school. Children whose families talk with them, share stories with them, and read with them will have more knowledge and skills when they begin school than those who don’t—and that’s important. Very often those who start school behind never catch up.

Tips for Sharing Books with your child

For more information on Raising A Reader, please contact Carla Heppert at (252)441-0614 or wings@darekids.org.