Four Literacy Organizations We Love
Reading opens our minds, hearts and imaginations, and we hope someday every child has the opportunity to fall in love with books. Here are a few of our favorite childhood literacy organizations that are doing amazing work to make that dream a reality.
1. Raising a Reader
This national network of educational, nonprofit and community organizations works to engage parents in reading to their children from birth to age five, preparing them for kindergarten and instilling in them a lifelong passion for books. Since 1999, Raising a Reader has reached more than 700,000 children in sites across the country and hopes to increase this number to one million in the near future.
Get involved with Raising a Reader.
2. Reading is Fundamental, Inc.
Reading is Fundamental, Inc. is the largest and oldest children’s literacy nonprofit organization in the United States. The organization’s mission is to motivate children to read by providing resources to families and creating national, regional and local reading programs. RIF is especially dedicated to reaching underserved children from birth to age eight; last year, RIF gave 4.4 million children 15 million new, free books and literary resources.
Volunteer with Reading is Fundamental.
3. Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project that uses PBS television programs, web services and teacher development opportunities to teach children how to read and give extra help to those who struggle. Its reading resources give parents and educators the support they need to build self-esteem and reading skills in kids overcoming reading difficulties.
Donate to Reading Rockets.
4. Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read partners with doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to promote early literacy and encourage families to read together. Pediatric health care providers incorporate the Reach Out and Read model into regular check-ups, giving kids new books to take home and advising parents about the importance of reading out loud to their children. In 2010, this organization will serve 3.9 million children nationwide.
Support Reach Out and Read.
This list only scratches the surface of all the literacy organizations doing great work out there. Who are we missing that you would like to add?
Buy a Frecklebox personalized storybook for the beginning reader in your life.
