The Early Readers Now! program is a one-to-one “read aloud” program for children three-to-four years of age. Reading to children in subsidized childcare centers throughout Washington, DC, volunteer Early Readers Now! Book Buddies have made a commitment to read with one child on a regular basis, developing a relationship to help better prepare that child for kindergarten.

 

Current statistics reveal that children who come from low-income families have a much harder time beginning school with the readiness skills of their more affluent counterparts. Children lack the basic vocabulary and sentence structure needed to begin school "ready to learn."

 

In response to such statistics, the Government of the District of Columbia makes it a priority to address this learning gap and encourage members of our community to take part of their work day to read with a child.

 

Teams of volunteers from the Department of Human Services, the Hotel Association of Washington, DC, and the faith based community take part of their work day to read to the same child every other week or every week, for one half-hour at a time.

 

Books are provided at the center and all volunteer Book Buddies receive an orientation and training before they begin.

 

Training for new volunteers is held the last Thursday of every month at the following location:

Early Care and Education Administration 

717 14th Street, NW

(8th Floor Conference Room)

Washington, DC 20005

Metro: McPherson Square or Metro Center

Be part of this great program! For more information about the Early Readers Now! program and how to become a Book Buddy, email EarlyReadersNow!