November 2020 Young Children Bulletin

Good Morning Fellow Kiwanians!

UPDATE READING CORNERS

ITS’S NOT TOO LATE TO ESTABLISH A READING CORNER! A PERFECT FIT WITH KIWANIS’ YOUNG CHILREN PROGRAM

Consider establishing a Reading Corner in other venues in addition to laundromats

SOME POSSIBLE VENUES

Health care facilities

Barbershops

Hair salons

Urgent care facilities

Credit unions

Pediatricians offices

Family court facilities

GREAT NEWS!

The Kiwanis Foundation of New England, through their Grant Program, has approved funding to help pay for the kits for the Reading Corners (total $200 maximum cost per set up). A Kiwanis Club must fill out the KFNE Grant application with specific information about the laundromat location or other venue where the Reading Corner will be set up. Submit the completed application to [email protected]. Each Club may apply only once for this assistance. For more information go to www.kfne.org and click on grant program info.

I encourage you to establish a Reading Corner in a venue in your community. The Reading Corner set up is a relatively low cost project ($200 or less) and can have a huge impact for local families and young children. Once set up you may find that your local library will supply your Club with gently used books, or Club member and friends can be asked to donate gently used books to replenish the supply of books. What better way to change a child’s life…to promote literacy and the love and joy of reading!

Let us fuel high expectations in young children. Children are influenced by expectations….high or low! Reading corners allow the use of valuable time to encourage young children to read and learn which results in maximum brain development and high expectations for that child.

We all share the responsibility of children leaning and learning happens everywhere and all the time! A book can become a friend to a child and the friend is always there.

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE CONTACTING THE LAUNDROMAT

You can get ownership information about a local laundromat at your TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE in order to communicate with the laundromat owner,

WHY ESTABLISH A READING CORNERS IN A LAUNDROMAT OR OTHER VENUE?

1. Almost 60% of children entering kindergarten are not prepared. They don’t recognize letters,numbers and colors. This number is increasing with the cov-19 pandemic and the closure of preschool facilities and childcare programs.

 2. Parents spend time with their young children doing necessary chores at a               these venues.This time provides a wonderful opportunity for children and        parent to spend quality time reading with appropriate books for young       children to enjoy.

3.       The interaction at laundromats or other venues can promote not only basic literacy but also early math and science concepts that build different parts of the brain and complementary skill sets. Creating simple but attractive reading corners can help make the best use of these ordinary parts of the day to build both parental bonds and children’s skills.

4. These reading corners are also attractive for venues because they set them apart from other competitors, offer a resource for customers, demonstrate their involvement in the community and engage children in productive activities.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Each corner would consist of an attractive book holder; a rug that promotes letters, numbers and geometric shapes (if space allows); and books that parents can use in the moment.  Books can be provided in various languages to meet the needs of the community. Kiwanis Clubs need to contact the laundromat owner personally and encourage them to participate.  

 I strongly urge you not to order supplies until the laundromat/venue has agreed. Kiwanis members are responsible for the costs of all supplies, including set-up and ongoing replenishment of booke. This book holder (2’ x 1’, about $30) and, if space allows, this rug (5’ x 6 1/2’ – optional if space is tight, about $55).  Both are available on Amazon.com.

Books need to be replenished if children take the books home. It’s ok if the books are not returned. Some children may not have books at home to read. Ownership of books is the first step to encourage the love and joy of reading!

You can get inexpensive new books several ways.  One of these is through www.FirstBook.org.  This organization sells new, quality books at very low cost – ordinarily you would need to be approved as an organization that serves disadvantaged children.

 Other options recommended by other Kiwanis members are companies such as Reading Warehouse or BooksaMillio or Scholastic Literacy. A month’s supply of books can cost from $0 to about $50.  Books must not have religious, political or controversial themes, should include math/science topics, and should feature diverse characters in terms of race, ethnicity, physical ability, etc. Sponsors can also get used books through donations from employees or civic groups, as well as purchased at thrift stores, libraries, etc.  The venue owner and Kiwanis are responsible for any liability coverage or issues.

Please contact me if you have questions, or if I can assist you in any way!

Sincerely,

Ava Adams, District Chair
Young Children Committee
Member, International Committee on Young Children
New England and Bermuda District
email: [email protected]