LAE mounts celebration of reading with Saint’s Devery Henderson and beloved Seuss characters, for area students 

BATON ROUGE — With a message of:“Read, read, read,” the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) brought NEA’s Read Across America, the nation’s largest reading celebration to area students.  The fun-filled event featured VIPs Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, Thing 2, Cindy Lou Who and New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Devery Henderson and students from Baton Rouge schools.

“Studies show that students who read—and are read to—do better in school and in life,” points out LAE President Joyce Haynes.  “Teaching and learning can and should be fun and so what it is good to take a break from the classroom to give our students a memorable and fun educational experience. And it is a very special treat to have Devery here with us today, we’re all so proud of the Saints’ win and we believe his presence here today shows our students that all things are possible with hard work and dedication.”

“Educators often hear from parents about the challenges of raising an enthusiastic and consistent reader,” Haynes said.  “But it’s easier than you might imagine to make children lifelong readers.  The number one thing parents can do is to remember that they’re their child’s number one role model so make sure their children see them reading!”

LAE offers these tips to parents:

• Don’t wait to set a good reading example. It’s never too early to start good reading habits. Begin sharing books with children during infancy, even as young as 6 weeks old. 

• Have materials on hand at home. In addition to books, stock up the house with newspapers, magazines and other periodicals to persuade children to read instead of turning on the television or playing a video game.

• Build skills and comprehension by starting a discussion. When you read aloud, stop to discuss unfamiliar words and pause to ask questions to help your child predict what is coming next. Ask children about characters in stories and why characters might act the way they do.

• Make reading a daily routine. Children are more comfortable when they know what to expect each day.

• Set and reward reading goals. Build enthusiasm by providing a special treat when a reading target is reached. Positive reinforcement can help boost motivation.

To help children develop a love of reading during their early years, NEA launched Read Across America, an award winning literacy program that culminates every year on Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

Each year schools and communities in Louisiana and nationwide hold special celebrations on, or around March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Originally created as a one-day event to celebrate the joy of reading, NEA’s Read Across America is now in its 13th year, with more than 45 million readers participating annually.