Childhood literacy

Reading to children is essential for long term literacy. The survey commissioned by the Pearson Foundation discovered that parents are not aware of the importance of early childhood literacy. Literacy includes the child’s ability to recognize letters, letters that make words, the difference between the front of a book from the back and the fact that you read from left to right. When we are not aware of the importance of the early literacy we really affect the child’s future.

According to the survey many people believe that even if the student starts off behind they are able to catch up during their elementary years. Unfortunately, this is not true for the majority of students. Especially if the students are from low-income homes compared to the more affluent students. The key is early intervention in assisting with the preparation of reading literacy.

Jumpstart, Pearson Foundation and Walmart are sponsoring a Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign. The other corporate sponsors of the event are American Eagle and Sodexo. This campaign is designed to increase the awareness of the literacy for our children. This campaign raises money to provide preparation for low-income children to be equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in school.

The book for the 2009 Read for the Record is a limited edition from the Philomel Books classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This book will be sold in Walmart today October 8, 2009. All the net proceeds will be donated to Jumpstart from the sale of the book. Jumpstart’s Read raise over $3 million to assist children in being prepared for success in school over the past three years. They have also donated over 500,000 books to children in need.

"Access to books, especially quality literature, is one of the major factors of early educational success for children, and Walmart is committed to doing our part to communicate this important message," said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. "From our associates who are reading in Walmart stores on October 8th, to customers who support Jumpstart by buying The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Walmart, we're helping to instill a love for reading in children, planting seeds for later success."

Today in Walmart’s across the country The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be sold to assist children in being prepared for school.