F A M I LY
BOOK CHAMPION
LEARN HOW TO MAKE BOOKS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD.
R
eading is a foundation for learning, yet a vast gap exists in access to books for low-income neighborhoods. According to the Handbook of Literacy Research, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is just one age-appropriate book for every 300 children. Without books in the home, children lack the opportunity to practice reading skills and are exposed to fewer opportunities to build their vocabularies. While these limitations can hinder personal performance, multiple studies correlate low literacy rates with social concerns like elevated drop-out rates, reliance on welfare pro-
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grams and criminal activity. Literacy is a cause that affects the community as a whole. Learn how you can champion literacy in your community with these tips:
GIVE BOOKS TO CHILDREN The joy of receiving and opening a gift is exciting in its own right, but a book is a gift that keeps giving. You can make a book gift extra special by choosing a topic or theme that has special meaning, such as a place you would like to visit together or a beloved character you enjoy incorporating into your make-believe playtime with the child. As a bonus, if it is age appropriate, read the book together for the first time so it always carries a special memory.
VISIT THE LIBRARY Libraries can be awe-inspiring places for kids. The wall-to-wall books represent thousands of possibilities. With so many options to choose from, you can introduce children to the delight of discovering different genres, enchanting top-
