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Macon and La Plata Receive Read First! Designation for Placing Greater Focus on Reading
December 28, 2009
PROGRAM CONTACT:
Julie Douglas, Family Program Specialist »
The Missouri Humanities Council selects Macon and La Plata as two of 10 communities state-wide for the Read First! program
MACON, MO – Macon and La Plata are taking steps to promote reading and literacy throughout the community with the Missouri Humanities Council’s Read First! program.
Literacy is more than reading traffic signs and decoding instructions. It is also the ability to engage the qualities of thought in a narrative, to imagine layers of possible meanings, to judge distinction and quality. Literacy is learned throughout one’s life, beginning at birth.
Read First!’s goal is to increase literacy by promoting awareness and participation in reading to babies, toddlers and preschoolers and appreciating the significance of storytelling in children’s lives.
“Reading and telling stories to a young child is one of the most important things a parent can do to lay a foundation for the child’s future learning,” said Julie Douglas, Missouri Humanities Council family program specialist, “but family reading also does so much more than that, including strengthening and enriching the bond between a parent and child.”
Douglas said that by working to create a culture of family reading in the community, the number of children who are read to regularly by a caring adult will increase markedly.
Activities throughout Macon and La Plata will include reading celebrations, Read First! workshops, Read from the Start programs, storytelling events and other creative activities through June 2010. To learn more about Read First!, contact Douglas at 800-357-0909.
Read First! will also be implemented in eight other communities: Butler County, Cuba, Marion County, Moberly, Mountain View, Savannah, Tarkio and Washington. It is being supported by the Missouri Humanities Council in collaboration with local libraries, civic groups, schools, child care organizations and others within the selected communities.
About the Missouri Humanities Council
The Missouri Humanities Council was founded in 1971 as an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It serves to act as a catalyst for cultural organizations, helping them to connect with people and communities in dynamic ways that spark the deep excitement for story and learning that builds character, intellect and understanding.
The Missouri Humanities Council is recognized for its partnerships that make humanities institutions and programs more dynamic. The Council supports these cultural organizations through a variety of means including consultative training, mentoring, grants, exhibit tours, literature and other resources. The Council also sponsors the annual Governor’s Humanities Awards which acknowledge individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions in the humanities. More information about the many projects of MHC can be found on the Council Web site at www.mohumanities.org or by calling 1-800-357-0909.
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