Fun with Foreign Language supports literacy in any language. According to an article at www.earlymoments.com, “One of the primary benefits of reading to toddlers and preschoolers is a higher aptitude for learning in general.” Source: www.earlymoments.com.com/Promoting-Literacy-and-a-Love-of-Reading/Why-Reading-to-Children-is-Important/
Reading is the foundation of academic excellence. According to Reading is Fundamental (RIF), “65% of 4th graders read below grade level, contributing to 8,000 students dropping out of high school every day.” Source: www.rif.org/about-rif/literacy-crisis/ What is clear is that the joy of reading must be indoctrinated at the earliest age possible.
Fun with Reading began in the Spring 2017 as a way for Donovan and Eliana Peyton, rising 8th graders, to exert their teenage influence to encourage young children, who are at the prime age of establishing the reading habit, to start reading and put down their electronic devices.
Now, Donovan and Eliana share their joy of reading by doing short interactive story times with students aged 2-4 years old at Stonewall Day Care in Fallston, MD, where they both attended and thrived.
According to Eliana,a Ben Carson Scholar and member of the National Junior Honor Society,”Students really enjoy having us read to them because they look up to us as role models and they appear to be really interested in books that we read.”
At the end of each of their story times, Donovan and Eliana show their young audience the book they are currently reading and encourage the students to ask their parents to visit their local library or bookstore.
According to Donovan, also a member of the National Junior Honor Society, “I feel good about doing Fun with Reading because we need more readers and reading to the young kids is fun.”
Interested in having Donovan and Eliana read to your students? Their availability depends on school year calendar (they can come on certain school vacation days) and their summer schedules. Please contact Yani Peyton at 443-616-7343 if you are interested in having them read to your students.
