The Importance of Early Readers

The development of early skills is critical, particularly in the area of literacy. The Prescription to Read project uses the medical community to promote literacy. County Kids Read created this program in partnership with the Prince Edward County Health Team. At 18 months each child must have a check-up and a vaccination. This mandatory visit to the doctor is called the Well Baby check-up. This partnership allows family and children to receive a book from County Kids Read during this doctor’s visit. It is a wonderful way to create early readers. The Prescription to Read project is just one of the creative partnerships that helps CKR achieve greater community outreach and help get books into little hands, one story at a time. Below is a photograph taken during one of these check-ups . . .

Looks like someone loves their new book!

On Wednesday, November 2nd Julie Hymus’s grade one class from PECI visited the CKR Reading Room. As always, the visit included reading a book from the Reading Room collection, and a chance for every young student to select their very own book to take home. Picking the perfect story is tricky, but it looks like this class visit was a great success! Pictured below are the students listening along and smiling for the camera with their brand-new books . . .

Picking the PERFECT book . . .

Another successful story time . . .

After a busy fall stocking the shelves of the CKR Reading Room, it’s amazing to see the books getting into the hands of children throughout the community – whether it’s through a visit to the doctor or a visit from a class. Every connection helps to develop those critical early reading skills, and creates a genuine love of books and stories!

The Need to Read

More than ever there is a need to read . . .

Post-pandemic times come with a fair share of aftermath, including the effects on literacy acquisition. When it comes to how children were impacted by home-based education, it turns out it was not felt equally among students. In many ways school closures, online learning, and the expectancy to study at home was not fair on many young students and their ability to progress their education. Education at home was contingent upon a student’s individual needs, parent’s skills, and household resources such as internet, computers, and even reading material. Children in lower income households and children previously struggling in school in relation to their peers, experienced a far greater learning loss (OECD Library – Lessons for Education from Covid-19, 2022). Professor Georgiou, part of the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta found that on average, “Students in Grade 1 to 3 – the critical years when they learn to read – saw their scores drop (during the first year of the pandemic) equal to anywhere between 6 – 8 months where they should be.” In short, the youngest and most vulnerable children will become even more vulnerable, further evidence of the necessity for programs like CKR which help offset some of these setbacks. And what better way to do so then accumulating reading material for children at risk.

We are so pleased to tell you that new books have been ordered, received, stamped and sorted. With the shelves now filled with new material, CKR is prepped to host class visits and books are ready to find their way into new reader’s hands through the help of community partners distributing copies throughout the County. Every little bit helps, and hopefully we can see these literacy scores for children start to steadily improve as we move back into classrooms and communal spaces like our very own Reading Room, pictured below. Thank you to all those who donated and enabled CKR to purchase these wonderful books!

Full shelves in the CKR Reading Room - Ready for a class visit!

Sustainable Changes

It’s the first day of October, and with everyone settling into the school routine, County Kids Read is busier than ever delivering books to classrooms and children throughout the County.

Fortunately, we have so many partners and donors to thank for that, including the Wellington Lions Club. CKR would like to thank the Lions Club for their ongoing support which helps to purchase new and nearly-new books to distribute to children within the County through our 14 community partners. Pictured below, Harry Marissen is all smiles presenting a cheque on behalf of the Wellington Lions Club to Anne Preston, chair of County Kids Read.

With children back to school, it’s an important time to reflect on the education system and just why the work of CKR matters. On September 22, the 2022 Vital Signs report was released. The 2022 report, “Toward Sustainable Change”, highlighted issues such as changes accelerated by the pandemic, population and demographic shifts, successes and challenges, and how Prince Edward County is recovering, adapting and preparing for the future.

Findings indicate that 37% of preschoolers in PEC are vulnerable in one or more of the domains as measured by the Early Development Instrument. The EDI measures the child’s ability to meet age appropriate expectations at school entry. By placing books into the hands of children who struggle with reading, CKR is playing its part to help reduce these statistics and better prepare children by improving literacy through access and awareness.

CKR Summer Highlights & Autumn News

Although the summer months are behind us, County Kids Read certainly had some fun in the sun this year.

On July 22nd, the Prince Edward Learning Centre, PEC Library, and CKR all gathered together to host the second annual Reading Round-up at Macaulay Village. PELC hosted a BBQ while offering info to those interested in adult learning services available here in PEC. The library was on-site with the ever-popular button maker, handing out information about library services and how families can obtain their very own library card. To round out the Round-up, CKR helped to make the event a success by handing out 62 books to children and families for free. Overall, it was a remarkable day at the Reading Round-up for kids and adults alike. Events such as this are pivotal in creating community and supporting literacy and learning. 

A child selects the perfect book at the Reading Round-up. July 22, 2022

This past July, CKR also received its first ever corporate donation. Thank you so much to Toronto Dominion Bank Picton. We are so grateful for their generous support and donation. Pictured below are employees of TD alongside the Chair of the CKR Board, Anne Preston.

TD bank employees present donation to Anne Preston, CKR chair. July, 2022.

With summer wrapped up and autumn in full swing, CKR volunteers are as busy as ever. Volunteers spent the day this week stamping and shelving books. These books will be distributed this fall to children in need through our 14 community partners. 

CKR volunteers hard at work

CKR volunteers busy at work in the reading room. September 16th, 2022

Lastly, CKR would like to thank the Kinsmen Club for their continued support of our program. The money will be used to purchase and distribute new books and nearly-new books for children throughout the County. CKR is 100% volunteer run, and donations such as this are a huge help as they are directly targeted towards the purchase of books.

Anne Preston, chair of CKR, receiving a donation from the Kinsmen Club. September, 2022

Fall is All About Fresh Starts

With the arrival of autumn, County Kids Read is bringing a fresh approach to our website and social media.

Check out our  website and click on the “Updates” page, which will now offer regular bi-weekly posts of any news or events involving CKR. These posts can also be found on our Facebook page. We welcome you to follow us @CountyKidsRead.

Did you know we have a newsletter . . . ?

Every month you can receive the CKR newsletter directly in your inbox, offering a more detailed look at recent news and events. Head to the “Newsletter” tab on our homepage, enter your name and email address, and simply click subscribe.

The fall season also means that kids are back to school. As children head back to the classroom, it’s important to reflect on the changes the pandemic inflicted on their education. School closures and interruptions in daily instruction has had a long-term impact on children and their learning. Now more than ever, children will need on-going support so that Covid does not create what the United Nations has called “a lost generation of young people” (2020). Please consider MAKING A DONATION to CKR. Simply hit the “donate” button on our website, and we can begin to fill those backpacks with books.

Let’s all do our part, one page at a time!

Back to school in PEC . . .

Vaccinations and Books to Read

County Kids Read, in partnership with the PEC Health Team and the Municipality, has set up a collection of children’s books at the Picton Vaccination Clinic. The vaccination clinic for children aged 5 to 12 is being held Saturday, January 29 as well as the weekend of February 5 at the Prince Edward Community Centre. As the children wait for 15 minutes after receiving their shot, they will be invited to choose a book to take home with them.

Anne Preston and Kate McNaughton pack up books to go to the Vaccination Clinic

A variety of books on display for the children who come to the Vaccination Clinic

County Kids Read, P.O. Box 154, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0 | info@countykidsread.ca