NORFOLK, Neb. – Even though school is out for many students for summer, there is no off season for learning.
That’s where the Joy of Reading library kits can help.
Lisa Guenther, Northeast Community College Early Childhood Education instructor, applied for and received a grant from Dollar General to make Joy of Reading kits available to public libraries and childcare centers in the area.
In recent days, she delivered the kits to the South Sioux City Public Library, South Sioux City YMCA, Crofton Public Library and Wausa Public Library.
The Joy of Reading library kit contains a quality children’s literature book and ready to use learning activities for children. They also contain lesson ideas for adults, teachers and parents.
There are 12 kits, each containing a different children’s book.
The Joy of Reading kits can be checked out one at a time, or in groups. They are to be used in childcare centers, preschools, elementary classrooms, and church educational settings, homeschool and for family read aloud times.
Guenther said the impact of the grant will go far beyond this year. The habit of daily reading by a child can grow into adults who continue to read daily.
“Reading daily, starting with a parent or caregiver reading to a child, then the child reading on his or her own, helps with vocabulary growth and critical thinking, among other things,” she said. "Reading can change the world for children.”
Joy of Reading cutline
Donna Van Horn (left), library head of youth services of the South Sioux City Public Library, and Lisa Guenther, Northeast Community College Early Childhood Education instructor, are shown with some of Joy of Reading kits made possible from a grant from Dollar General. Also delivered were some Northeast books, “Voices Out of Nowhere,” which are the Bonnie Johnson-Bartee-led student work publications from this year. (Northeast Community College)
