Overcoming Family Illiteracy

Admittedly, I have placed a lot of emphasis on childhood illiteracy.  One issue that I haven’t addressed in depth is what happens when both parent and child are illiterate?  This presents a special challenge because parents are often ashamed of admitting to their children that they can’t read.  What would you do if your child asked you to read her a book and you couldn’t?  The solution isn’t easy but there are some ways that both child and parent can overcome illiteracy.  Literacy advocates can do the following:

1. Encourage parents to attend their child’s tutoring lessons:  By “tagging along” it has been shown that parents are at first passively engaged, then over time, they become more engaged.  This makes them want to enhance their own skill and seek out adult literacy programs.  A lot of literacy tutoring programs also have an adult component, so that parent and child can learn to read at different times, but in different settings.

2.Make sure there are books within the home:  The mission of First Book and Reach Out and Read is to make sure that children have access to books in their homes.  By doing so, parents also have access to books.  When a child practices reading to their parent, the parent is also presented with a learning opportunity.

3.Promote family literacy:  There is a great emphasis on childhood illiteracy, but parents sometimes fell left by the wayside.  By encouraging the entire family to take part in the process, literacy advocates cam make an impact on the literacy of the entire family.

Best,

Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011

First Book in Cincinnati!

First Book is continuing its mission of providing children brand new books.  Recently, First book has partnered with Cincinnati public schools.  First Book has committed to providing books for the 3,000 children who are enrolled in the summer program!  Each child will receive three brand new books.  This program comes as the result of a new partnership with the American Federation of Teachers. 

Partnerships such as these allow First Book to expand its reach and have a greater impact.  Studies have shown that during the summer, some children lose the skills that they have acquired during the school year.  By providing children with books, they are provided with an added incentive to read.  This ultimately impacts their ability to maintain their literacy skills during the summer months.  If you’re interested in partnering with First Book to receive books for your school or program, go to  http://www.firstbook.org/contact-us

Happy Reading!

Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011

First Book Receives Top Ranking!

First Book has doggedly pursued its mission of providing brand new books to children of limited economic means. Charity Navigator has taken notice and given First Book a four star ranking, its highest ranking! Charity Navigator is America’s premier charity evaluator. Its mission is to serve as a guide to intelligent giving. By evaluating charities, Charity Navigator helps identify exceptional charities and gives people the confidence to continue giving.

Charities are evaluated according to their financial health, accountability and transparency. By analyzing these factors, Charity Navigator can pinpoint how money is used. Efficient, transparent charities receive a high ranking. If you want to see how your charity ranks, check out http://www.charitynavigator.org/. Now that I know about Charity Navigator, I will be sure to take a gander the next time I want to make a charitable contribution.

Best,

Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011

First Book Rocks 2011!

First Book has been a little busy… That may be the understatement of the year!  First Book has been very busy spreading the message of the importance of literacy and pursuing its mission of ensuring that all children have access to high quality reading materials.  First Book has fostered new relationships and strengthened existing relationships.  But most importantly, First Book has put a dent in the greatest barrier to literacy, access to books.

During 2011, First Book Distributed 8 Million Books!  But it doesn’t stop there!  First Book added 7,000 new schools and programs to its national network.  This  means  that 7,000  additional schools  and programs are now eligible for grants and have access to First Book’s Book Bank where they can buy brand new books at a fraction of the price, $2.50.   First Book also started local volunteer chapters (First Book Advisory Boards) in over a dozen communities. I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!

Best,

Ciji Dodds

Miss International 2011