Free reading workshops for families to help build proficient readers by third grade

Sixty percent of third graders in Charlotte are not reading on grade level, so Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Read Charlotte have teamed up to provide families with interactive reading workshops.

The four-part reading series will be structured around active reading. Active reading involves reading a book with a child rather than reading a book to a child. This collaborative approach has been known to improve children’s language skills, vocabulary and ability to understand what they read on their own.

“Active reading is a part of our communitywide big push to get children in third grade reading on grade level. If you’re not reading on grade level, you’re four times as more likely to drop out of school,” said Lauren Campbell, children’s manager at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

With 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurring before age 5, the active reading workshop series was implemented to expose children to reading prior to their elementary education.

“The parent workshops that we are doing specifically target parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 5,” said Campbell.

Parents should aim to practice active reading three times a week for at least 15 minutes. “Find those times when your kids are really engaged and really motivated to be reading,” said Campbell.

Now through April 12, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Channel 9 asks the community to donate new or gently used books for children and teens at all Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations. Additionally, three 9 Family Focus community business partners have chosen to collect books at their Mecklenburg county locations: Showmars, Ashley HomeStore and E.R. Plumbing Services.

All donated books will be distributed by the library to area children and teens through Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Outreach Services without the need to check out and return the book.

“We’re really encouraging the community to donate new and gently used books so we can then share them with other members of the community who need them,” said Campbell.

You can find out more information about 9 Books for Kids by clicking this link.

If your organization or business would like to get involved or help with any WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV community campaign, please email your inquiry to Kevin Campbell, community affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.​

Cox Media Group