READY, SET, READ!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Reading together is one of the most powerful things you can do as a family, but that doesn’t mean it’s automatically fun to do. Parents and kids can

clash over different literacy styles and topics, and reading can quickly turn into a struggle instead of a bonding activity. Additionally, one in five adults in Buffalo is functionally illiterate, making the most well-intentioned parents unable to support their children in the ways they need it.

That’s where Ready, Set, Read! can help. This fun and interactive series helps break the cycle of intergenerational illiteracy by building parents’ confidence as teachers and advocates for their children. This literacy program is a series of five workshops, designed for children ages birth to age eight and their parents. The families are together for a portion of each workshop, then branch off to apply different strategies and methods. They will learn hands-on techniques and gain essential knowledge to help them create positive learning experiences in their home and everyday surroundings.

Workshop topics include:

Brain Development and Learning Styles
The World of Reading: Understanding How Children Learn to Read
Reading with Your Child
Reading is Everywhere: Learning through Play and Daily Life
Helping Your Child Succeed in School

Benefits of families who read together:

Creates a bond, giving children a sense of intimacy and well-being.
Is a pleasurable experience for children and they will have a positive attitude towards reading as they grow up.
Calms them, especially when they are fretful and restless.
Promotes increased communication between parent and child.
Preschool children who are exposed to language by hearing words that are read to them and in conversation do well in school.
Many studies show that students who love learning and do well in school were exposed to reading before preschool.
Promotes longer attention span.
Builds listening skills and imagination.
Children learn early that reading is fun and not a chore.