I can go on and on about the benefits of reading to children as early as possible but then I would never get to the good part. My husband and I find no greater joy then watching my son absorb every single word with that distinct glisten in his eye. I may not be the best mom in the world, but I can say that no matter what my child reads a book every single night. This is our special time together as a family. I feel that a love of reading is the one real gift I can give to my son. The Books for Kids program puts books directly into a child’s hands, regardless of income level.I should tell you before you even read into this that I am very passionate about reading. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children from low-income families have fewer literacy resources within the home and are less likely to be read to regularly than their higher-income peers. Poverty remains high in our region, affecting families with young children. Research shows the importance of reading, but many children do not have access to age-appropriate books or transportation to regularly visit local libraries. Reading aloud not only builds children’s language and pre-literacy skills, but also exposes them to new ideas builds their social, emotional, and problem-solving skills strengthens parent-child relationships and inspires them to be lifelong learners. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud to children daily, beginning in infancy. Reading at an early age is proven to increase school readiness by developing literacy skills, language patterns, attention spans, and creativity.Īs a child grows, reading becomes increasingly important for understanding the world and achieving academic success. WHY IT’S IMPORTANTīooks have the power to change a child’s life. Thank you to our sponsor Capstone, as well as in-kind supporters City of North Mankato, Kato Moving & Storage, American Solutions for Business, Corporate Graphics International, and The Occasions Group.īooks and newsletters are mailed to children of all backgrounds and income levels via USPS. Parents may sign up their children for the program at any time any child between 2 months and 4 years, 11 months can participate if they live within United Way’s service area of Blue Earth, Nicollet, Le Sueur, or Waseca counties, or if a parent works in Mankato/North Mankato. In 2021, Books for Kids provided nearly 30,000 books to regional children. Through this program, United Way also provides hundreds of books via community outreach events such as Project Community Connect and Mankato Area Public Schools Early Childhood Screening program.
Our longtime partner Capstone Publishing donates thousands of books every other month, which United Way distributes via mail to children ages 2 months through 4 years, 11 months. Since 1997, this program has helped build children’s home libraries, encourage literacy skills, and foster school readiness.
#Free books for kids by mail free
Books for Kids is a Greater Mankato Area United Way program designed to instill the joy of reading in children by providing free books and parenting resources to families in our region.
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