Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County’s child programs include school collaborations, Books from Birth, and more.

Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County’s child programs include school collaborations, Books from Birth, and more.

Child Programs

Research shows that young children whose parents read aloud to them have better language and literacy skills when they enter school*. On the other hand, students who fail to read well in early grades may never catch up to their peers**.

Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County changes lives by helping children prepare for and succeed in school.

School Collaborations – Our Community Reads

Our Community Reads aims to enrich education for children by fostering a love for books and reading, Literacy Volunteers works with participating schools and teachers to provide evidence-based reading activities for children and families. Reading Rounds by professionally trained readers are held weekly, in Pre-K through 4th Grade classrooms in most cases. Several districts also host Family Fun Literacy Nights, exciting reading events for the whole family with a book giveaway for kids. This setting also gives parents and caregivers examples and tips they can use when reading to their own children. All these activities were able to adapt successfully to virtual alternatives during the pandemic.

Reading at the Farm

When schools closed their buildings during COVID we took a unique opportunity to showcase reading with farm animals at Alasa Farms & Cracker Box Palace in Alton, NY, This historic farm is now home to a farm animal shelter and these rescued animals are perfect collaborators for our weekly story time! The video format allows teachers and families to use them on their own schedule and revisit them anytime they wish.

Books from Birth

Each newborn in Wayne County can start their lives out well-equipped with the right tools to promote and foster a love of books. Early Literacy Gift Bags provide babies and families with a board book copy of Goodnight Moon and Brown Bear, an example of a library card application, and tips on reading to your child. Books from Birth packets are distributed to families of babies born at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital or can be picked up by calling our office in Lyons.