October 1, 2010
Volunteer with Jumpstart and help local preschoolers prepare for kindergarten
On Thursday, October 7, the 91探花 community can help prepare preschool-age children for kindergarten by volunteering for Jumpstart鈥檚 annual national Read for the Record 2010 Day. The campaign generates public awareness for early childhood literacy and education by creating the largest, shared reading experience across the nation.
In Seattle, more than 80% of children living in poverty under the age of 5 enter kindergarten without the skills necessary to learn. The Jumpstart program in the Center for Experiential Learning helps prepare preschool-age children for success in kindergarten by connecting 91探花undergraduates to preschools in low-income areas. Students help preschoolers with reading and social skills so they can enter kindergarten prepared for future success.
On Thursday, October 7, the 91探花 community can join this effort by volunteering for Jumpstart鈥檚 annual national Read for the Record 2010 Day. The campaign generates public awareness for early childhood literacy and education by creating the largest, shared reading experience across the nation. This year, the fifth year of the program, children around the country will be reading the Caldecott-Award-winning book 鈥淭he Snowy Day鈥� by Ezra Jack Keats.
Last year, a record-setting 2,019,752 children read 鈥淭he Very Hungry Caterpillar鈥� by Eric Carle.
Volunteer opportunities for this year include:
- Reading with children at local preschool classrooms on Thursday October 7, from 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
- Sorting books, crafts, and activity kits for children on Tuesday, October 5 from noon-2 p.m. in Mary Gates Hall 120.
- to provide books and classroom supplies to children at local preschools affiliated with Jumpstart and to children in need across the country.
For more information, write jstartvc@uw.edu or call 206-543-5514.