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First 5 LA Launches Early Literacy Campaign

November 9, 2011
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LOS ANGELES - Several recent medical studies show that television exposure at age 2 forecasts negative consequences for kids, ranging from poor school adjustment to unhealthy habits. But, according to research by the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, parents in low-income Los Angeles County families, report that some 40.7 percent of their children under age 2 watch television daily.

Learning begins the day a baby is born, and the brain is nearly 90 percent developed by age 5. Study after study shows that early introduction to reading is critical for a child's literacy and writing skills, and overall school readiness.

"Success in school starts with reading," said Evelyn V. Martinez, chief executive officer of First 5 LA, a child advocacy and grant-making organization. "When children become good readers early in life, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond."

But even before children can read themselves, Martinez emphasized the need to turn off the TV and expose them to books and libraries. "Learning to read begins when children are babies and continues throughout the toddler years because when children listen to stories, they gain crucial language skills."

Every November, First 5 LA acknowledges the importance of early literacy with its Read Early, Read Aloud campaign. Using story times, contests and giveaways, First 5 LA reaches out to the community with tips for reading to young children, ways to foster a love of books and encourages everyone to visit libraries often.

Martinez offered the following early literacy tips for parents and caregivers:
  • Read to your child every day for at least 30 minutes in total.
  • Try reading for a few minutes at a time; children may only sit for a short time for a story.
  • Make the story come alive - create voices for the characters or sing about the pictures.
  • Ask questions about the story and let your child ask and answer questions too.
  • For babies, choose simple and colorful cloth and vinyl books.
  • For preschoolers, choose books with repetition and rhyme.

First 5 LA and Best Start will host community readings, which include an appearance by a special book fairy, around the county and in the 14 Best Start communities. Children 5 years and younger will be given books, bookmarks and backpacks. In addition, families will have the chance to win a library of 50 books in the "My Favorite Book" contest. The online contest can be found at First 5 LA's parenting website, Ready. Set. Grow! as well as on the Ready. Set. Grow! Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more early literacy tips and resources, and to learn more about the Read Early, Read Aloud events and contest, visit the Read Early, Read Aloud hub at http://www.readysetgrowla.org/ReadEarlyReadAloud.



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