Helping All Kids Start Ready for School
Two five-year-olds are about to race to the edge of the playground. When they line up, one starts 20 feet in front of the other. Who will reach the finish line first?
For some kids, this is what it is like to start kindergarten. They start school so far behind their peers; it’s hard to catch up.
Gaps in Readiness
All kids are different. Some kids will already be able to cut construction paper on a straight line. Others will still be working on just holding the scissors. Some won’t know the differences between “b” and “d,” and some will have mastered the whole alphabet. Some will be great at sharing toys, while others will need a little more convincing to give their friend a turn with the red crayon.
While some difference in capabilities is normal, there are certain literacy, numeracy, social-emotional, physical and linguistic skills and abilities that all kids need to be active participants in kindergarten. Making sure all kids have these baseline skills on day one is about equity.
Studies show that students who are black, Hispanic, Native American and from families living below the poverty line are often developmentally and academically behind their peers who are white, Asian and from affluent families (National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Facts on Knowledge and Skills of Young Children). The gap is not inherent to a child’s cultural, socioeconomic or geographical background but rather a result of years of economic, housing, cultural and other policies that have disproportionately hurt people of color and who work low- and middle-skill jobs. These policies have created a gap in opportunities to learn for the children of these families.
Why Kindergarten Readiness Matters
Kindergarten is a formative learning year. It’s when children learn the skills that will help them adapt and succeed in later years of school. If more kids had the skills and abilities they need to be successful in school when they started kindergarten, they would have a greater opportunity to achieve success in high school and beyond. 61% of Muskegon County 3rd Graders are NOT reading at grade level according to the MSTEP. From kindergarten to grade 3, children learn how to read. From grade 3 through the rest of an individual’s life, they read to learn. If students are not proficient in reading by 3rd grade, then they will continue to struggle in school and comprehension, falling farther behind. Currently, there is a 30 Million word gap between children who are read to versus those who are not.
United Way & Kindergarten Readiness:
United Way of the Lakeshore works with families, early childhood educators, and childcare providers to help all kids entering kindergarten start from the same spot. It is through programs like the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Read Muskegon, the Great Start Collaborative, and the Muskegon County Literacy Collaborative. United Way and our partners help make it possible for all kindergartners to develop the skills and abilities they need in school. We help level the playing field. Read below on various Muskegon literacy programs happening in our community and how you can get involved!
Taking Action:
United Way of the Lakeshore - Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
The famous country singer, Dolly Parton, launched an exciting initiative to benefit children across the country. The dream was to foster a love for reading in children before kindergarten by providing a gift of specially selected books each month to children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about the magic of books, and ensure every child would have access to quality books, regardless of their family's income. Thus, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was born. Thanks to United Way of the Lakeshore, this program has been available in Muskegon County since 2015, and Oceana County in 2017.
Over the last 6 years, this program now has over 6,000 children receiving a free book in the mail every month in Muskegon and Oceana Counties. These books are making a huge impact on how parents are able to read with their children in our community. Survey results show that there was a 90% increase in parents reading more with their children once they enrolled in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, 70% reported reading daily. 88% of our parents reported that they feel the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has helped prepare their child for Kindergarten & 90% of parents reported that the program has helped them as a parent.
Here are some of our favorite quotes from our parents:
“We LOVE receiving these books. As a mother of two young children, I don't get out much or do extra shopping beyond the necessities. And especially since COVID hit, we haven't been able to go to the library like we used to. Continuing to receive a new, interesting, entertaining book each month from the Imagination Library has been a bright spot, and has kept reading fresh and exciting for us all.” – Melissa in Fruitport
“My son love’s getting a new book in the mail each month. It has sparked his interest in reading and with his imagination. He puts the technology down and picks up a book. It has created a new world for him.” – Marysa in the City of Muskegon
“This is an amazing program! She went from having a small handful of books to a growing library! It's a wonderful surprise every month when the new book arrives. Her Big Sister is always eager to see what new story will arrive.” – Brittani in Montague
“His intelligent level has grown tremendously over the last year. This program has made me strive to be more involved in my child’s development. He truly enjoys reading.” – Shannon in Ravenna
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to be supported by local donors interested in helping get our children started on the right path to educational success and a lifelong love of reading. The cost in our community per year per child is $25. Nichols, a local community leader, has offered to match donations in Muskegon County. Country Dairy has offered to match donations in Oceana County. Other large donors include Cannon Muskegon, Howmet Aerospace, PNC and Gerber Foundation.
Just imagine how many books that will put in the hands of our littlest learners! To donate, or to register a child, visit https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library&nb…;
Muskegon County Literacy Collaborative
The Muskegon County Literacy Collaborative is compiled of cross-sector membership from individuals/organizations who all face the barriers of literacy. Within this collaborative are two action teams: public awareness and integrated continuum of services. Their mission is to identify, convene, align and build the capacity with partners who improve the lives of individuals, children, and families of Muskegon County to radically raise literacy levels. Led by Read Muskegon, the collaborative’s public awareness campaign will increase the general public understanding of the scope of illiteracy issues and connect community members to services. While their development of an integrated continuum of services will ensure a seamless transition from birth through adult literacy efforts with a focus on family literacy and breaking generational cycles.
The Great Start Collaborative & Read Early. Read Often.
Read Early. Read Often. is a countywide effort to urge parents, siblings, grandparents and community members to read to infants and toddlers. Reading every day, everything, and everywhere will lead to success in school and in life. The Great Start Collaborative of Muskegon is a collaboration of parents, educators, health professionals, business and community leaders who are working together to ensure that our children are safe, healthy, and eager and able to succeed in school and in life.
These groups work together on delivering free books to the community, and providing free play and learn groups all across the county. Within the Great Start Collaborative, there are parent support groups, resources for head start, kindergarten enrollment, and training on better preparing your child for school. You can find out more information at https://www.muskegonisd.org/earlychildhood/rero/
Read Muskegon
Read Muskegon is breaking the generational cycle of illiteracy by providing customized programs that meet the unique needs of their learners and building community partnerships to maximize impact. They offer several approaches including Tutor Training, Literacy Labs, Family Literacy Workshops, and EXIT Classes for those who are incarcerated. All of these classes/workshops focus on family literacy, workplace literacy, and functional literacy (things like lease agreements, applications, credit cards, etc.)
