Event brings books and awareness about Summer Slide in Kootenai County

With the onset of final exams and children's anxiety levels at their highest during the school year, the last thing children want to think about is summer reading.

Both parents and children are found daydreaming about summer vacation and a much-needed break from the books. However, research shows that the long summer break can take a real toll on a student's knowledge and skills - from mathematics to reading development.

In Kootenai County, there are many kinds of high-quality learning opportunities during the summer that can make a difference in preventing learning loss and ultimately, closing the county's achievement gap. The key is getting all children involved, especially those with fewer resources needing to have access to books and programs available in the community.

For this reason, United Ways of Idaho have partnered together during the UNITED WAY WEEK OF ACTION to collect and distribute 100,000 books to low-income children in the state. United Way of Kootenai County's book drive kicked off May 12 and will continue to collect new and gently used books through June 19. Drop off and distribution locations are listed on the United Way of Kootenai County website at KootenaiUnitedWay.org/bookdrive.

The drive allows community members, corporate partners, small businesses, faith and civic organizations to support United Way's efforts to recycle, collect and distribute their books, and put them in the hands of children in our area that need them the most. According to Book It Forward, Idaho, low-income homes average only 1 book for every 300 children! Also, low-income children without books have reading scores that drop 9.7 points as opposed to low-income children with access to books show an increase of 24.15 points! (Journal for Education of Students Placed at Risk).

The United Way Book drive provides a real, tangible solution to those who are eager to make a difference in the lives of low-income children in our communities.

Children can receive summer reading books beginning Monday, June 15 at select locations, including free summer meal locations throughout three school districts, at your local libraries, and food banks. Books can also be received at the Coeur d'Alene library Monday Movies on June 15 at 1 p.m. followed by the showing of Disney's "Hercules" and at the Happier Hour Moose Tales Storytime at the Well Read Moose in Riverstone on Wednesday, June 17 from 4-6 p.m. A full list of distribution locations can be found on the United Way of Kootenai County Website at KootenaiUnitedWay.org/bookdrive.

If your child is 0-5 years of age, spend time being your child's first teacher. "Play with a purpose" using colorful toys and music to stimulate your child's curiosity. When in the grocery store, ask children questions that require responses around alphabet or number recognition. Use everyday household items to talk about shapes and above all else, READ to your children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Children who are read to during infancy and preschool years have better language skills when they start school and are more interested in reading. In addition, parents who spend time reading to their children create nurturing relationships, which is important for a child's cognitive, language and social-emotional development." Pediatricians recommend 15-30 minutes of reading per day in the first three years of a child's life, during which much of their capacity for learning is developed and their brains grow to 90 percent of their eventual adult weight. Parents interested in preparing children 0-5 years of age for school should sign up for the Ready! for Kindergarten program available in their local school district area. For more information on this program and registration, visit KootenaiUnitedWay.org/Ready.

A "LIVE UNITED" summer vacation can also include visits to our local libraries that have summer reading programs with rewarding opportunities for kids to learn to love reading. National Summer Learning Day, an annual national advocacy day led by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) to elevate the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, is Friday, June 19! Make a pledge to visit your local library with your kids and check out some new books to read during the summer months. Keep a book in your car when traveling or take one to the beach. Parents can set an example by turning off the "whirlwind" of electronics in their households and create a weekly or daily family reading time when everyone opens a book or magazine for 30 minutes. Entertain a family game night with another family in your neighborhood. Instead of a movie night, select a documentary or TV program on animals or nature and discuss the program afterward.

Summer Vacation can be all fun and games...the fun of reading a great adventure story and games that encourage learning. Don't let Summer Slide affect your children. Remember: Children who start school ahead, stay ahead...year after year!

Volunteer Opportunity: KIDS camp volunteers needed

KIDS (knowledge, independence, direction, success) Camp is a summer literacy program for first and second graders from Bryan, Fernan and Winton elementary schools that has been developed to decrease the "summer slide," a loss of learning that occurs in the summer months. KIDS Camp is in need of committed individuals to read with students on a regular basis. Adult, high school and middle school volunteers are welcome. Student volunteers are encouraged to participate the entire day and breakfast, snack and lunch will be provided. Driver's license screening through the Raptor school visitor system at the district office or at Fernan Elementary is required, as well as a brief volunteer orientation. KIDS Camp begins June 15 and ends Aug. 5.

For details about these and other volunteer opportunities in the community, please visit www.KootenaiUnitedWay.org, click on the "VOLUNTEER" link to GET CONNECTED to our Volunteer Hub, or contact Jeanette Laster at United Way of Kootenai County, (208) 667-8112, Ext. 108.

Get Connected!

The United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Hub

* "One-Stop Volunteer Resource Center" for the whole community

* Ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities

* TAKE ACTION - call (208) 667-8112 or visit the United Way's Volunteer Hub website: www.kootenaiunitedway.org

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER