The Model
Raising A Reader works with low-income families in which reading aloud is least likely to occur because, among other reasons, parents have low literacy and/or English language skills, they lack information about the critical importance of early reading experiences, or they simply have no access to books, which for many are a luxury item they cannot afford.
- Raising A Reader works with a variety of early childhood professionals to rotate bright red bags filled with award-winning children’s books into the homes of families. Every week, children take home a book bag with a new selection of high quality, culturally and age-appropriate books.
- RAR staff teach early care providers and parents about read-aloud techniques that anyone can employ, and the importance of regular parent-child book sharing to healthy brain development and school success.
- Raising A Reader enhances literacy practices in the childcare setting, and engages program partners to support parents in establishing and maintaining regular read-aloud time at home.
- A “Read Aloud” video is produced in fourteen languages to give all parents the know-how and comfort they need to make the shared book experience successful, even if they cannot read.