This year, Pacific Clinics Head Start’s early learning team brought a new kind of story time into the homes and hearts of our families. Through the nationally recognized Raising A Reader (RAR) nonprofit and program, the team helped children and parents experience the power of books together.
The Raising A Reader program is an early literacy initiative designed to spark a love of reading among youth and strengthen the connection between caregivers and their young children. The program quickly became a hit with both families and employees.
For 16 weeks, each Friday, children received a bright red book bag filled with four books, self-selected by the children based on their interests, to take home and enjoy with their families. The books were returned by the following Wednesday, beginning another week of fresh stories to explore.
Some books were in English, others in Spanish, and many were simply illustrations. Teachers emphasized the joy of book cuddling time, encouraging parents to spend 10 minutes a day connecting with their children through talking, reading and laughing.
“Parents were surprised by what their children gravitated toward — stories about space, animals or things they’d never thought of picking themselves,” said Lauren Parks, Early Head Start area supervisor. “It allowed parents and children new ways to connect and learn together.”
The program culminated in a joyful library celebration in Pasadena. For many families, it was their first visit to the local library. Children were excited to receive blue library book bags to continue their reading adventures, and several families signed up for library cards that day.
By making books accessible, Raising A Reader laid a powerful foundation for school readiness, family bonding and joy of lifelong learning. We are proud to continue this initiative into the next school year — and to watch more children discover that books can take you anywhere.
