Read Aloud WV

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Morgan: Partners nurture families through books

By Juston Michael Donadieu

Bonding With Books is a brand new program currently in its experimental stage, although Starting Points is eager to see it become a more permanent part of regular operations in the community.

The program aims to strengthen the bond between children ages birth to 5 and
their parents through the shared experience of reading. In accordance with the broadest mission of Starting Points, we believe that a healthy and successful life for a child begins with the family. For this reason, there is no better place than at home to initiate a love of books.

We’re currently gathering resources and working to get the word out about Bonding With Books. Doodlebugs Day Care Center is on board with the effort, as well as Starting Points’ Playgroup. Through the program, we provide parents with age appropriate books and equip families with helpful knowledge about the benefits of reading with children. For example, in the United States, 68 percent of children do not read proficiently by the end of the third grade; in West Virginia, the number is 74 percent.

Fortunately, members of our community in Morgan County have been enthusiastic and eager to lend a hand. Mildred Sharp has recently donated about 40 handmade miniature tote bags to the cause of Bonding With Books and has reminded us she is always willing to make more.

Ms. Sharp has said she has loved two things her entire life: reading and sewing. But this isn’t the first time she has used her skill for a great cause. Last year around Christmas time, Mildred read about Starting Points’ involvement in a literacy program and began sewing dozens of bags for the children involved. Before that, she sold hundreds of bags and quilts that she made and donated the proceeds to a family scholarship for Pocahontas County students. We appreciate her hard work and dedication to the youth of Morgan County, although Mildred says she has “gotten more enjoyment out of it than the kids who will receive the bags”.

Perhaps the biggest push we've gotten in supplying books to kids is the donation of books, magazines and material for parents that we received from Read Aloud West Virginia. Our Bonding with Bookis program is the first step in putting our Read Aloud program into action here in Morgan County.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming involved in this program in any
way contact us at the Starting Points Family Resource Center.