Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida Literacy Buddies Program Helps Prepare Kids for Kindergarten

Posted on 09/30/2011 @ 11:18 AM

Tags: West

By Becky Newell, Regional Coordinator, West Florida
becky.newell@childrensmovementflorida.org

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida is committed to promoting early literacy. Their Literacy Buddies program provides a way for individuals to help too!

Here’s what each program volunteer does:

• Receives a letter from a child in an early learning facility served by the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida.
• Replies to the child’s letter, and sends a high quality book to the child with the reply.
• Repeats this process twice during the school year (for a total of 3 exchanges).

As of now, more than 1500 adults have signed on as Literacy Buddies, but there are many more children who can benefit from the program and still need a “buddy.”

According to the Early Learning Coalition, “anyone, any age, anywhere can become a Literacy Buddy.” Click here for more information about the program and how to help.