CARE TO READ

Care to Read is an emergent literacy program that works with staff at child care centers and family care homes throughout Palm Beach County to improve the literacy and language opportunities given to young children.  Funded by the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, the Care to Read program is continuing into its seventh year, growing successful partnerships with child care centers, family care homes and the Healthy Start Healthy Families visiting nurses.

The three components Care to Read strives to deliver are:

• Ongoing professional development opportunities for child care staff and visiting nurses
• Donations of new, age appropriate storybooks for classroom libraries
• Distributions of new books for the children to select and keep

The professional development series begins with an introduction to emergent literacy for all new participants.  Subsequent sessions build on this information and become more tailored to address the teachers’ and child care site’s specific needs.  Some popular topics include strategies to generate interactive read-aloud sessions and developing children’s language, writing and literacy skills in active learning environments.  In 2008, 125 child care providers participated in professional development sessions.

Care to Read supports strategies and information presented through the workshops with new age appropriate storybooks for each individual classroom, delivered on a regular ongoing basis.  These books encourage teachers to try new techniques and support them in their daily routines with the children. 

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