Marilyn Levin knows kids. She taught kindergarten for twelve years! With her special interest and expertise in reading, she founded R.E.A.D. in 2002, an early literacy class that incorporates puppetry, music, crafts and dress up into storytime. Her goal is to help little ones develop a love of books at a young age.
Levin says, "If you can get them to respond to literature in some way, it becomes part of who they are." The basic goal of the class is to create a life long love of books and boost your child's literacy skills - all through creative play.
Levin says, "If you can get them to respond to literature in some way, it becomes part of who they are." The basic goal of the class is to create a life long love of books and boost your child's literacy skills - all through creative play.
My good friend Leslie told me recently that her two and a half year old adores this class. She wakes up nearly every morning asking, "Mommy, are we going to R.E.A.D. today?" She especially loves checking out a new backpack each week filled with books and fun activities.
Although my children did not attend R.E.A.D., last December I had the pleasure of visiting a class. There were books, singing, puppets, musical instruments, bubbles, and Willoughby the elephant (R.E.A.D.'s cute mascot), all based around the theme of the week, Hanukah, celebrating the Festival of Lights. The next week's theme would be Jingle Bells, with books and songs full of Christmas fun.
Here's what really struck me: At the end of the class, parents were coming up to Marilyn, chatting about their plans to enroll in the next session. Obviously, parents and their children love R.E.A.D.!
To learn more about registering for the Fall session starting in September 2014, click here.
WIN A FREE SESSION for your 6 month - 6 year old, for first time participants only:
•Make sure you are a subscriber to our FREE weekly e-newsletter.
•Leave a comment below telling us your child's favorite book.
Deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 20, 2014. Winner will be emailed and must respond by Friday, August 22, 2014. Winner chosen using www.random.org.
P.S. Here is one of our past R.E.A.D. articles from August 2011 with a testimonial from the mother of a 4 year old that will tell you alot about the class.
The Mosquito Authority is a Macaroni Kid sponsor.
