Day Care Literacy: A joy to participate!

The Day Care Literacy Project is an ongoing effort to introduce the love of books to children at very early ages. Coordinated by Carol Lotz-Felix, the program continues with a diverse cast of readers, including one "snowbird", Diane Windisch. Diane is also involved with her local library system, and looks forward to her annual vacations here, in part because of the opportunity to continue to spread the joy of reading to the youngest Virgin Islanders. Here is her testimonial I'd like to let you know how much the of the FOSTPL Pre-school Literacy Project is appreciated. I am a winter resident of the island and for the past four

Animated children enjoy a book reading at the Kids Day Care Center on St. Thomas See more day care images

years I have been reading to two groups of three year olds at the New Testament Academy in Anna's Retreat. When I arrive the kids are squirming and grinning in anticipation of this week's books. They are ( well, most of the time) attentive and eager to participate in "reading" books by singing, counting, finger play and pointing to letters of the alphabet.

My home is in a Chicago suburb where I am a library board trustee and volunteer. Our library has a book sale every year; patrons are asked to donate gently used books that their children have outgrown. Last year the library director allowed me to take the "leftovers" and bring them to the children here. All of the books were in excellent shape.

I wrote each child's name in a book and distributed them to the classes on Wednesday. The kids were thrilled to have their very own books and immediately started paging through them. The teachers were equally delighted and made sure the children put their books in their backpacks right away. The classrom libraries consist of just a dozen books, all well-thumbed!

It has been my joy to participate in this program; I receive so much more than I give. Of course, the long term goal is to turn a child's innate sense of curiosity into a love of learning and reading. But my reward is their obvious enjoyment and the waves, hugs and kisses I get every week.

Wouldn't it be great if ALL the children could be given a book?

--- Diane Windisch