SUNDAY, March 2, 2025 – Today marks National Read Across America Day, a celebration aimed at encouraging children to read. The day was established in 1998 by the National Education Association to inspire kids to develop a love for reading.
Tracie Kenney, a senior advisor for kindergarten readiness with Save the Children, emphasized the importance of reading to young children.
“It’s important for parents to read with their babies and toddlers every day to help them grow, develop and thrive,” Kenney said.
Kenney highlighted that early exposure to words can significantly aid a child’s learning.
“The more words that a child is exposed to in their native language, the easier it will be to learn absolutely everything else,” she said. “And caregivers who read to their children one picture book a day expose them to almost 78,000 words per year.”
She also noted the rapid development of a child’s brain, with 80% developed by age three and 90% by age six. Kenney has been with Save the Children since May 2024, and the organization operates in Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Yakima counties in Washington, providing educational access in rural areas.
“[Save the Children] bring in opportunities for early childhood education, and by partnering with the school district and providing home visits, parent-child groups and book exchange programs, as well as books that the children and the families can keep,” Kenney said.
Kenney believes education is crucial for a successful life. “Education is a proven ladder out of poverty, right? And so Save the Children and many others are partnering with communities and schools across Washington to close that early childhood equity gap,” she said. “I’ve seen it literally bring families out of poverty when their children go through programs, the families have support and then they go on to higher education or the parents do.”
Kenney added that singing and reading to children even before they are born can be beneficial. Save the Children’s efforts in Yakima and surrounding areas aim to foster early educational opportunities and support families in need. For more information on the programs they offer, visit their website
