Help encourage children to read

The single-best way to help children build reading skills is to read aloud to them. The more children are read to, the more likely they are to read themselves. The more they read, the better they will become.

Adults are always telling children that books and reading are good for them. Participating in “America Reads: Reading Is Contagious” is a great way to demonstrate that!

The Cedar Rapids metro area's celebration of the 15th annual event is Oct. 20 and 21. More than 2,000 volunteers will pour into elementary schools to share a favorite book with students in preschool through fifth grade. The program not only focuses attention on the importance of reading aloud to young children to improve literacy, it promotes a lifelong skill and demonstrates the joy of reading through collective citizen involvement.

A collaborative effort among the five metro area school districts (Cedar Rapids, College Community, Linn-Mar, Marion, Metro Catholic), the program is also supported by five public libraries (Cedar Rapids, Ely, Fairfax, Hiawatha, and Marion), as well as local businesses. It's truly a community tradition!

To volunteer to read, contact the Cedar Rapids Community Schools at (319) 558-2124 or amr@cr.k12.ia.us by Oct. 1. By sharing a story with a child, that book might become someone else's favorite. After all, reading is contagious!

Marcia Hughes

Chair,

“America Reads: Reading Is Contagious”

Community

Relations Supervisor

Cedar Rapids

Community Schools