Studies show that the best time to instill a child’s love for reading is before kindergarten, when their most rapid period of brain growth occurs.
That’s why the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida wants volunteers to read to children in local preschools. There’s a need especially right now in Clay County, and Reading Pals are also sought for St. Johns and Putnam counties.
Volunteers called Reading Pals are taught how to choose and read age-appropriate books to preschoolers and how to promote early literacy by reading phonetically. The coalition has a well-stocked lending library with materials for volunteers.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSISONS:
Thursday, August 19, 2021, 1 p.m.
- ELC of North Florida Clay County Office
- 3620 Peoria Road, Orange Park, FL
- Contact: Lacy Doss at ldoss@elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267 ext 202
Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 1 p.m.
- ELC of North Florida St. Johns County Office
- 2450 Old Moultrie Road, Suite 103, St. Augustine, FL
- Contact: Joan Whitson jwhitson@elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267 ext 202
Thursday, September 2, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
- ELC of North Florida St. Johns County Office
- 3841 Reid St., Palatka, FL
- Contact: Joan Whitson jwhitson@elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267 ext 202