Yesterday marked Read Across America Day, a celebration aimed at encouraging children to embrace reading. Established in 1998 by the National Education Association, the day highlights the importance of nurturing a love for reading from an early age.
Tracie Kenney, senior advisor for kindergarten readiness at Save the Children, emphasized the crucial role of reading to young children. She stressed that daily reading helps children grow, develop, and thrive.
“It’s vital for parents to read to babies and toddlers every day,” said Kenney.
Kenney explained that early exposure to language significantly boosts a child’s learning potential. “The more words a child hears, the easier it is for them to learn new concepts,” she said. “A caregiver who reads a picture book daily can introduce nearly 78,000 words to a child each year.”
She also pointed out that children’s brains develop rapidly, with 80% of brain development occurring by age three and 90% by age six.
Kenney, who has been with Save the Children since May 2024, oversees the organization’s efforts in Gray Harbor, Pacific, and Yakima counties in Washington. Save the Children provides educational support in these rural areas, offering home visits, parent-child groups, book exchanges, and books for families to keep.
“Our goal is to give children the chance to succeed by providing early childhood education opportunities and helping families access resources,” Kenney explained.
Kenney believes that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. “Education is a proven path out of poverty,” she said. “Save the Children and many other groups are working across Washington to address the early childhood equity gap. I’ve seen how these programs can lift families out of poverty and support parents in pursuing higher education.”
Kenney also highlighted the value of singing and reading to children before birth. Save the Children’s initiatives in Yakima and surrounding areas focus on expanding access to early education and supporting families in need.
