A YACF grant connects young children to books at an early age, when it matters most.

Reading aloud to young children is the single most effective tool for developing their language and literacy skills.

Children in families who read together are generally better prepared to succeed in school—with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills and a six-month developmental advantage over their peers.

According to Melissa Pinsky, interim director of Washtenaw Success by 6, “We know that by the time a child reaches the age of 5, as much as 85 percent of the brain’s architecture, its emotional and intellectual wiring, has been set. Developing early literacy skills is critical to helping young children get ready to succeed in school. Kids who start school behind are likely to stay behind.”

A $4,500 grant from the Ypsilanti Area Community Fund provided support for the Ypsilanti Imagination Library, a collaborative partnership between Success by 6, Washtenaw County Head Start, and the Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County. Launched in April, 2010, the Ypsilanti Imagination Library aims to build pre-literacy and school readiness skills by partnering with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a national program dedicated to providing access to books for all young children.

Through this local initiative, 1,350 children (from birth - 5 years old) are now enrolled in the national program which will deliver a new book each month to a young child’s home. If enrolled at birth, children have the opportunity to build a library of up to 60 books by the time they turn five.

To help families make the most of the books and to encourage continued reading at home, Washtenaw Success by 6 is also distributing a bi-monthly newsletter for parents. Each issue contains ideas for using the books as well as information on community resources.

Our immediate goal is to encourage parents to read to their children. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that pre-school age children from low-income families receive the enrichment and support they need to start school ready to succeed. We miss an important opportunity if we don’t start early.