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Children Share their Love of Reading on Valentine’s Day
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My valentine to reading: Ethanchino, age 5, New Mexico |
Washington, DC (February 12, 2007) — This Valentine's Day, children participating in Save the Children's in-school and after-school literacy programs will share their love of reading with their members of Congress. Save the Children's literacy programs benefit more than 20,000 children in rural communities across 12 states.
As part of the celebration, students from kindergarten through 8th grade filled out heart-shaped "Valentine to Reading" cards, explaining why they enjoy reading. The valentines will be delivered to Capitol Hill during the week.
Even the youngest students were able to show how reading allows them to explore their world, take part in exciting adventures and dare to dream:
- Brittney, a 9-year-old from Georgia, said that she likes to read The Baby Sitters Club books because, "when I read them it's like I'm in another world."
- Selena, an 8-year-old from Kentucky, explained that she loves to read about science because, "I may be able to cure the common cold. I may be able to see if an asteroid is coming this way. I may find a cure for global warming."
- Laquindrick, an 11-year-old from Georgia, said, "I love to read about different cultures. Their traditions are interesting."
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My valentine to reading: Julien, age 5, New Mexico |
Save the Children's literacy programs are helping children learn to love reading. Working in some of America's poorest rural communities, these programs are narrowing the rural literacy opportunity gap by supplying students with the tools they need to develop reading skills and the guidance and support they need to grow as readers.
In the United States, one in six children live in poverty, and in rural America, the numbers are worse: 20 percent live below the poverty line. Save the Children recognizes that education is a critical key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
"Children in underprivileged rural communities face unique challenges in school and are at a greater risk of falling behind," said Mark K. Shriver, head of Save the Children's U.S. programs. "By helping these children grow as readers, our model literacy programs are giving them the tools to succeed in school, and ultimately achieve their goals in life."
