ELC volunteers Kathy Stawawa and Teresa Widman reading the book “Ten Apples Up on Top” by Dr. Seuss with special guest The Cat in the Hat during a Dr. Seuss program at Kids First Learning Center in Middleburg.
ORANGE PARK, Fla., May 21, 2018 – Impacting thousands of preschoolers in six area counties, the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida provides reading and literacy programs for area preschools through coordinated volunteer outreach.
Managed by the Coalition, volunteers are screened and trained before setting foot in the classroom. The Coalition provides weekly volunteer readers to groups of 3-5 year olds in daycares and preschools (reading for 30 minutes to an hour), as well as literacy outreach volunteers who hold monthly literacy-themed programs. Volunteers may participate in one or both programs.
Themed outreach programs are based on either popular children’s books such as “Pete the Cat” and “Clifford” or themes that follow the school’s curriculum such as the ocean, space, rhyming, colors or arts. Volunteers assist with storytelling and leading activities, often donning costumes or props to enhance the stories. Each child also receives a free book which is reflective of the theme.
The ELC has a well-stocked lending library with books and literacy materials for the volunteers to check out and use. Weekly readers are also able to create relationships with the children through their consistent appearances.
“Our volunteers are that extra-special person coming in to see them each week who exposes our preschoolers to new books and shares their love of reading,” said ELC’s Early Literacy Coordinator Joan Whitson. “The school staff has told me the children look forward to greeting the readers and go right to them when they arrive.”
Early literacy is key to brain and developmental growth, according to Whitson.
“Studies show that the best opportunity to influence our children’s lifetime learning is before kindergarten when their most rapid period of brain growth occurs,” said Whitson. “Reading to children early sets the groundwork for their future ability to read and learn. We are so grateful for our volunteers who make this impact for our children and future.”
The ELC of North Florida is seeking more volunteers to join this wonderful program. There will be a required orientation session on Wednesday, June 13th at 10:00 a.m. at the Early Learning Coalition office located at 3620 Peoria Road, Orange Park. To register or for more information to become a weekly volunteer or literacy outreach volunteer please contact Sandi Dunnavant with the ELC of North Florida at 904-375-1486 or sdunnavant@elcnorthflorida.org or Joan Whitson at 904-342-2267 ext. 202 or jwhitson@elcnorthflorida.org
The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) serves the counties of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns assisting parents, caregivers and educators of children ages birth-pre-kindergarten. ELC manages and evaluates early child care and education programs through a quality school readiness delivery system.
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