Hopefully learning about all these fantastic books and works by local authors makes you want to pick up a book, whether to read on your own or with your children. Beyond expanding your knowledge, reading daily has so many proven benefits for your proven and mental health. These include reducing stress; lowering heart rate and blood pressure; fighting depression; improving brain connectivity, concentration, and memory; aiding in sleep readiness; preventing cognitive decline; and contributing to a longer life. This healthy habit is one we should cultivate in ourselves and our children.
Local mom Jennifer Tacbas couldn’t agree more. She founded literacy charity Great Books for Kids in order to equip children with the tools they need to ignite a passion for reading and support their journeys to becoming confident, capable readers. What are those tools? Amazing and engaging books! She shared some valuable advice with EIL about encouraging young readers.
First and foremost, Jen says to prioritize some uninterrupted time each day to read aloud with your child of any age. She also reminds us that it’s important to make books accessible at home. “Have small bins of books around the house in places where your children frequent - the living room, in the car, and even the bathroom - to increase the opportunities for them to reach for a book.” She adds, “Frequently add new books to your home. Encourage your child's continual interest in reading and support his/her reading skills growth by purchasing a few new, age-appropriate books for your home at least several times a year.” Giving books as gifts for birthdays and holidays is an excellent way to do this.
National statistics continually show a strong correlation between the number of books in a child’s home and the child’s overall interest and success in reading and academics. Statistics also show 61% of children who live in low-income neighborhoods do not have a single age-appropriate book in their homes. When Jen witnessed that reality in her daughter’s class a couple years ago, she stepped to purchase books for the students monthly. As demand grew for other students too, Jen founded Great Books for Kids, Inc. to further that reach. Last year, Great Books for Kids served 500+ kids in Southeast Georgia and gifted $16,700+ worth of books. Teachers and families have given glowing feedback and expressed their appreciation. Jen says, “It is my goal to continually expand our reach in serving more children, as well as increase the number of books each child receives. We need monetary support to do that and would love our community's help!”
There are three ways that you can support Great Books for Kids: 1) by making a tax-deductible monetary donation; 2) by becoming an official sponsor with your business; 3) by purchasing high-quality books for your young readers through links on the Great Books for Kids website with book providers that donate up to 25% of their purchase to the charity. For more information, visit greatbooksforkids.org.
Annaliese Kondo, Studio Pixel Pop
The Giving Tree
Leo Medders reaches to catch an apple in this recreation of a scene from Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree," perhaps one of the most endearing stories about unconditional love of all time. Leo's attire is from the J. Bailey collection at Bailey Boys.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia operates The Early Literacy Academy at 2102 Albany St. in Brunswick. Its mission is to provide the foundation for all children to have successful academic careers and become lifelong readers through empowering families and communities with individualized instruction and measurable results. Additionally, the Burroughs-Molette Club location has an on-site children’s library that is open to the public and operated by MOG Libraries. Learn more at bgcsega.com/early-literacy.
Through their Books in the Home program, Junior League of the Golden Isles is committed to doing their part to put more books in the hands of Glynn County’s neediest children and to ensure that they are read to regularly. In partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia and the MOG Library System, they host frequent story times for Pre-K through 2nd Grade at the local clubs. At each story time, the children are gifted a book and other goodies to take home. For more information and how you can support, see jlgoldenisles.org.
The Take 5 project recently launched by The Marshes of Glynn Libraries is aimed early literacy. Its goal is to provide parents and caregivers with information about practices they can use with their children to prepare them for learning to read. For five consecutive weeks, students receive a bag to take home that contains books, toys, and activities grouped according to one of five themes: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing (early literacy practices identified by research for the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read® program). These are easy activities that parents and caregivers can do with their child to prepare them for learning to read. The project, currently in third phase, has been expanded from all Glynn County Schools pre-kindergarten classrooms to Head Start and private daycares or childcare centers. Read more about Take 5 and how your donations to organizations such as The Literary Guild of St. Simons Island, the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation, and other community charities and foundations can help at moglibraries.org/take-5.
Let’s get everybody reading!