September 30, 2010
Volunteer with Jumpstart and help local preschoolers prepare for kindergarten
In Seattle, more than 80 percent of children living in poverty under the age of 5 enter kindergarten without the skills necessary to learn. The Jumpstart program in the Center for Experiential Learning helps prepare preschool-age children for success in kindergarten by connecting UW undergraduates to preschools in low-income areas. Students help preschoolers with reading and social skills so they can enter kindergarten prepared for future success.
On Thursday, Oct. 7, the UW community can join this effort by volunteering for Jumpstart’s annual national Read for the Record 2010 Day. The campaign generates public awareness for early childhood literacy and education by creating the largest, shared reading experience across the nation. This year, the fifth year of the program, children around the country will be reading the Caldecott-Award-winning book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
Last year, a record-setting 2,019,752 children read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Volunteer opportunities for this year include:
• Reading with children at local preschool classrooms on Thursday Oct. 7, 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
• Sorting books, crafts, and activity kits for children on Tuesday, Oct. 5, noon-2 p.m. in 120 Mary Gates.
• Donating to the UW Jumpstart Online Book Drive to buy books and classroom supplies for children at local preschools affiliated with Jumpstart and to children in need across the country.
For more information, e-mail jstartvc@uw.edu or call 206-543-5514.
