Parents and Children Encouraged to Participate in Read Across America Day

March 02 - 2009

Parents and Children Encouraged to Participate in Read Across America Day
Kiddie Academy promotes benefits of reading aloud to children

BALTIMORE  - The singsong rhythm of Hop on Pop and Cat in the Hat have made these books popular reading companions for generations of kids. It turns out that those rhymes -- or actually hearing those rhyming patterns -- may result in more than just bedside entertainment. 
      "Storytelling is a beloved ritual with long-reaching effects," said Laura Olson, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy International. "Kiddie Academy encourages parents and their children to use Read Across America Day as a time to start or expand a regular reading schedule."
      Held every year on March 2nd – the birthday of the beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss – Read Across America Day is an awareness campaign designed to motivate children to read. The event, which is sponsored by the National Education Association, is celebrated in communities throughout the nation. Participation simply requires a child to read in the company of a caring adult.
      "When reading to children, point to the words to help them understand the connection between letters and sounds," said Olson.
      According to research conducted by the National Reading Panel, reading aloud to young children promotes their development of language and other emergent literacy skills. They go on to note that reading aloud is a period of shared attention and emotion between parent and child, which, in turn, reinforces reading as a fun leisure-time activity.
      Olson adds that further evidence of the positive effects of reading aloud to children can be found in The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. In the popular text, Trelease explains that by reading aloud to children, adults effectively condition the child's brain to associate reading with pleasure.
      "Read Across America Day is an ideal opportunity for parents and children to pick up a book and share its story together," said Olson. "Kiddie Academy is honored to highlight this national event."
      By giving a voice and meaning to words that children normally could not give to the reading themselves, reading aloud has the potential to increase attention spans and improve listening comprehension, Olson added.
      At Kiddie Academy, children participate in a developmentally-appropriate curriculum that is based on each child's individual needs. This approach is enhanced with a focus on character development, which teaches children the value of qualities such as honesty and thoughtfulness.
      For more information about Kiddie Academy, please visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy®
For more than 28 years, Kiddie Academy® has been a leader in education-based child care.  The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs.  Kiddie Academy’s proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques help prepare children for life.  Kiddie Academy is using the globally recognized AdvancED accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy® Franchising
Kiddie Academy International, Inc. is based in Maryland and has 103 academies located in 22 states, including 98 franchised and five company-owned locations.  Approximately 70 additional academies are in development, with 15 to 20 new locations slated to open each year.  Kiddie Academy intends to reach 200 Academies by 2012, with all future growth coming via franchising. For more information, visit www.kafranchises.com.

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