Read Across America Day

On Friday, March 2, people everywhere celebrated their love for reading with the young people in their lives. Perhaps they turned off the television sets, computers, tablets and handheld devices, and curled up with a favorite book!

Adults everywhere were encouraged to commemorate the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day by reading to and with children and teens. Held on the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss, the event was observed by thousands of schools, libraries and community centers by bringing together children, teens and books. Next year, make sure to be a part of it, too!

Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school. Teach your children that reading is FUN!

A small reading task force at NEA came up with the idea for the largest celebration of reading in the country in 1997. "We hold pep rallies to get kids excited about football. We assemble to remember that Character Counts," the group discussed. "Why not do something to get kids excited about reading?" Dr. Seuss’s birthday was chosen as the official date, and the first Read Across America Day took place on March 2, 1998.

To learn more about Read Across America Day, to take a pledge, join the Facebook page, learn about related activities near you and to find recommended reading lists, click here.

(http://www.nea.org/grants/886.htm)

Each day can be a reading day: Remember to celebrate the joy of a good book daily!