It’s never too early to help children develop a love of books, and during this month of June children have been participating in virtual reading sessions.
For more than a decade, the Mercer County Workforce Development Board Literacy Committee, in conjunction with Child Care Connection, has been hosting “Early Mercer Reads,” where members of the Mercer County community foster a love of books by reading aloud as a guest at a participating child care center.
During the global pandemic, when it became impossible to read aloud in person, the WDB pivoted and instead had their guest readers video-record themselves reading their favorite children’s book, which was then shared virtually at child care centers.
“The goal of Early Mercer Reads, now in it’s 14th year, has always been to encourage children to read on a daily basis and instill in them a lifelong love of books,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.
“Despite the pandemic, the Literacy Committee found a creative work-around, and I applaud and thank the members and all the volunteers who devote their time and effort to this important cause.”
Over the years, more than 137 child care centers have participated in Early Mercer Reads and more than 15,000 children have been read to. View the videos by going to https://flip.com/cbbfb861 and entering the password EarlyMR%2023