Ferst Foundation delivers on books, tackling childhood literacy
In the first three years of a child's life, infants and toddlers will acquire the first of thousands of words t hey will use throughout their lives. These words, as well as the child's understanding of language, will come from listening to conversation, reading, and being read to. Essentially, the beginning of a child's life is absolutely essential in determining their level of literacy.
Enter the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, FFCL, a non-profit organization with the goal of supplying books capable of helping preschool children quickly become literate and successful learners.
Those interested in enrolling children or donating can visit Ferst at the Rockmart Homespun from July 21st- 22nd or visit the Ferst website at www.ferstfoundation.org
The program is open to preschool children in Polk County at no cost. Once enrolled, FFCL will mail an age-appropriate book t o your child's household every month until that child turns 5. Having a monthly book means the child will be exposed to a much higher word count and will receive all the added benefits of reading such as greater general knowledge and increased mental activity.
If a child were to be enrolled at birth and received a book every month until their 5th birthday, participating readers would receive up to 60 books before ever starting school. In 2013, as many as 25,000 Georgia children were enrolled in FFCL, and the foundation was mailing out as many as 300,000 books annually in the peach state alone.
One parent with an enrolled child expressed appreciation for the program, stating that "we love getting them every month! Even at a young age my child gets excited about books."
Alongside the monthly book, FFCL will mail parents a newsletter with tips and tricks to help their children make the most of reading. Certain tips are designed to help children gain appreciation for books. Furthermore, the Ferst Foundation website features various tips and ideas to make the most out of your child's reading.
Funds for the program are raised locally by donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and businesses. There is also an annual “Evening with the Author" designed to raise funds. Next year's event is slated February 28, 2018 and will be held at “In the Woods” at Rockmart.
The FFCL currently provides free service for over 76 counties and communities spanning Georgia, Florida, and Montana, and 72 of the communities are in Georgia alone. Georgia counties include: Barrow, Bibb, Bulloch, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Clinch, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, Dekalb, Dougherty, Douglas, Evans, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Greene, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Henry, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lamar, Laurens, Lee, Macon, McDuffie, McIntosh, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Muscogee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pierce, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Telfair, Towns, Union, Upson, Walton, Ware, Webster, Wilcox, Wilkes and Wilkinson counties.