SUBMITTED ARTICLE
SALINAS — Read to Me Project has announced an admission-free festival for families called “Salinas Valley Grows Readers,” which will be held Sunday, April 30, from 12 to 3 p.m. at The First Tee of Monterey County, 1551 Beacon Hill Drive, in Salinas.
“Salinas Valley Grows Readers,” a celebration of literacy, promises a fun-filled afternoon where children and parents will meet Clifford the Big Red Dog, Cat in the Hat and other favorite storybook characters; sing and dance to live music; take a spin around the musical book walk to win a prize; hear stories, see their own stories come alive on the Story Wall, receive free books and more.
The event is designed to be a shared family experience centered on building literacy and creating a love for reading and learning.
Learning begins at birth. Children who are read to at a very young age are better prepared to succeed in kindergarten and in life. Improving educational outcomes of students will ultimately improve the economic and social health for many Monterey County communities. However, local statistics are alarming: 70 percent of children are not prepared to enter kindergarten, often lagging up to two years behind in foundation and readiness skills.
Read to Me Project helps children 6 months to 5 years old achieve kindergarten readiness and a lifetime of literacy. It is a prevention-based program designed to break the generational cycle of low-literacy by reaching young children where they learn best, at home, by engaging elementary school-age children in their younger brother’s and sister’s learning and development.
The First Tee of Monterey County (TFTMC) offers young people opportunities for a better future through active involvement in life skills and golf skills. Coaches seamlessly weave golf and character building activities into each lesson.
As a child progresses through TFTMC’s programs, the activities and life lessons become more involved, helping every young participant to build character and become even more equipped to make good choices on and off the golf course.
Independent research has proven that children who are involved in The First Tee’s Golf and Life Skills Experience are more likely to exhibit The Nine Core Values and transfer valuable life skills to other areas of their lives.
With appreciation, “Salinas Valley Grows Readers” is funded in part by First 5 Monterey County and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Real Time Realty.
For more information, go to readtomeproject.org.
