Raising A Reader

Raising A Reader is an early literacy, reading readiness, family bonding program. It engages parents in daily “book cuddling” with their children from birth to age five, ensuring healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and the early literacy skills critical for success in kindergarten and beyond. Raising A Reader works with a variety of early childcare providers and other partners to rotate bright red bags filled with award-winning children's books into the homes of low-income families. It teaches parents about the importance of regular parent/child book time and read aloud techniques, and supports them in establishing regular "book cuddling" time at home. Already in 84 sites around the country, RAR works with populations where reading aloud is least likely to occur because, among other reasons, parents do not have high levels of literacy or English language skills themselves. Raising A Reader has had significant results in increasing regular read-loud time between parents and children, as well as increasing children’s levels of book knowledge, comprehension and print knowledge upon entering kindergarten, keys to building a foundation for school success and lifelong learning.