A sweet Read Aloud Day

An Official Statement hangs proudly on our wall from the State of Connecticut acknowledging Read Aloud Day, yet another very special initiative made possible by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. We are grateful for their generosity in sponsoring such an important issue that encourages better reading habits and the love of reading.

The proclamation points out that “Good reading skills are essential to success in school, the workplace and every aspect of our lives… reading provides hours of pleasure engaging the imagination and broadening our personal experiences.”

There are many statistics that support the significance of reading to children especially in their formative years. The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses that “reading is a significant aid in brain development and encourages a solidifying, emotional bond between parents and their children.” Additional research shows that “the development of early literacy skills through early experiences with books and stories is critically linked to a child’s success in learning to read.” — C.E. Snow & A. Ninio The Contacts of Literacy

One last quote — a study by the National Commission on Reading seems to sum it up quite well… “Reading aloud to children is the single most important intervention for developing their literacy skills.”

We are very proud of the fact that this is the 28th year that the Chamber has collaborated with schools throughout the region for Read Aloud Day. There are so many people who make this amazing day possible including the Community Foundation, educators, business volunteers and readers as well as the eager school children that benefit from the reading. The significance of this project is noteworthy:

406 Chamber volunteers are signed on for Wednesday 28 schools are involved Grades preK-6 will be included 453 classrooms will host the readers. An estimated 6,870 children will enjoy the morning and surely benefit from this wonderful experience

Thank you in advance for recognizing this valuable initiative. Incidentally, I’ll be reading in Melanie’s class now that Danny is in high school. What a joy!