CINCINNATI — Children across Hamilton County will stop hustling and bustling for a few minutes to turn their attention to a trusted adult who will read a book to them in a coordinated effort across area preschools and libraries.
Read Across the County Day brings attention to literacy as children prepare for the summer break, creating a teachable moment where adults can emphasize the importance of reading during the summer break and beyond. All Cincinnati Public Schools, opens a new window preschools and all Cincinnati & Hamilton County Library branches will have a special coordinated reading at 10:30 a.m. on May 18.
"We know reading to children inspires them to explore reading on their own,” Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Iranetta Wright said. “Read Across the County models to our students and children across the area how important reading is, carrying this forward into the summer months. We hope it will inspire children and their adults equally to crack open books all summer long.”
Regular reading – just 20 minutes every day – stimulates optimal brain development patterns and strengthens parent-child relationships during a critical time in child development. In turn, that builds language, literacy and social-emotional skills for life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and Washington-based Children's Reading Foundation.
“Our 41 neighborhood locations offer early literacy materials and resources for all families,” said Paula Brehm-Heeger, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Library Director. “We're excited to join Read Across the County Day and to support learning journeys through our Discover Summer program.”
For those who cannot make it to their neighborhood branch library, a storytime will be streamed live on the Library's Facebook Page, Facebook.com/CincyLibrary.
Cincinnati Public Schools offers families more high-quality school choices and academic programs than any other district in the Tristate region. CPS is a leader among Ohio’s eight large-city school districts in overall student performance.
The district’s innovative approach to education, investment in effective and caring teachers, and vast array of collaborative partnerships have accelerated school performance to the highest level in decades – ensuring that its more than 35,000 students in preschool to grade 12 thrive and graduate prepared to lead successful lives in the 21st century. CPS operates 65 schools spread across 90 square miles. To learn more, visit cps-k12.org.
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library has been cultivating curiosity from the moment we first opened our doors in 1853. Since then, we have evolved into one of the biggest and busiest libraries in the country: supporting minds of all kinds who seek to unlock their full potential. With 41 neighborhood branches, a vast range of programming, and an ever-growing collection of virtual resources, we're proud to be a place where everyone can learn without limits. To learn more, visit CincinnatiLibrary.org or call 513-369-6900.
