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The Best Reading and Family Engagement Program for Children Ages 0–8
Strong reading skills are the foundation for success—but they don’t develop in the classroom alone. The best reading programs for children begin early and include the whole family. That’s exactly what Raising a Reader offers: high-quality, research-backed reading and family engagement programs for children ages 0–8. Whether you’re supporting toddlers, preschoolers, or early elementary students, our programs build home literacy routines that nurture ...
How to Start a Family Reading Routine That Sticks
Reading together as a family isn’t just a cozy bedtime activity—it’s one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s learning and emotional growth. But between busy schedules and screen distractions, how do you make reading a habit that lasts? At Raising a Reader, we’ve helped thousands of families build meaningful, consistent reading routines. Here’s how you can too. ...
Reading Together Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Connection
Recent research from HarperCollins Publishers and Nielsen uncovered a sobering trend: only 41% of children ages 0–4 are frequently read to—a significant drop from 64% in 2012. Even more concerning, less than half of parents say they enjoy reading aloud to their children. As both a parent and the CEO of Raising a Reader, this hits home. Because I know what the research shows—and I also know ...
How Our Book Bag System Works in 3 Easy Steps
Inside the Classic Red Book Bag Program At Raising a Reader, we make it easy for families to build joyful reading routines at home. Our Classic Red Book Bag Program is simple, effective, and proven to support early literacy. Here’s how it works: 1. Take Home a Red Book Bag Each week, children bring home a bright red book bag filled with ...
Partners Spotlight Series
Raising a Reader and Save the Children Partnership
Raising a Reader and Save the Children have been partners for over 15 years! At the recent event in Concord, NC, children at Save the Children Head Start Cabarrus Academy received the bright red bags filled with diverse, award-winning books to take home and read together with their family. Each week, the students will receive new books to rotate in ...
Read the Room – Using Place and Space to Facilitate Reading
Leveraging technology, family reading and school readiness to improve healthy outcomes for children Caption: Worldreader’s BookSmart app and the Raising a Reader organization are helping to virtually fill the shelves of little libraries in “Kinder Ready” pediatric clinics. By Kristen Walter, Director of US Programs, Worldreader Every clinic waiting room has one: the frazzled adult with several kids in tow, ...
Webinars
Advancing Early STEM Learning with Diverse Books: Practical Tips and Resources
At Raising a Reader, promoting early literacy and STEM education through diverse and inclusive literature is a critical part of our work. Our recent webinar, “Advancing Early STEM Learning with Diverse Books,” and in partnership with the Diverse Books for All Coalition, offered valuable insights and practical strategies for integrating diverse books into early STEM learning. Here, we share ...
Can we talk about Bruno?
By Michelle Torgerson, President and CEO, Raising a Reader Can we talk about Bruno?! Is Encanto’s soundtrack playing on loop at your house? It is at mine, and we almost have all the songs memorized! The movie tells the story of the Madrigal family as they navigate their special powers within their community. So many people—young and old—are feeling seen ...
Press Releases
The Science of Early Learning: Unlocking the Potential of Babies, Toddlers, and Pre-K Children
As we continue to celebrate Raising a Reader’s 25th anniversary, we find ourselves more committed than ever to understanding the incredible potential of early childhood. Advancements in brain science have shed light on the remarkable growth and development that occur in the first few years of life, underscoring the importance of our mission to support early literacy and family engagement. ...
Bridging the Summer Gap: Why Continued Learning is Crucial
Raising a Reader, a national leader in early literacy and family engagement, emphasizes the critical importance of continuous learning over the summer months. “The summer months offer an opportunity to reinforce and build upon the learning that occurs during the school year,” said Michelle Sioson Hyman, Senior Vice President, Program and Partnerships at Raising a Reader. “However, without resources and learning ...