The idea behind the reading program is to get children interested in books at an early age, when it can inspire a lifelong interest in reading and learning, and have the greatest influence on academic achievement.
Reading becomes a fun activity instead of a chore or a drill like they might experience in their reading lessons at school.
"Students who read in school, they do it because they have to, they don't do it because of enjoyment," White said. "So we're trying to turn that thinking around."
Research consistently shows that children who read for pleasure are more successful in academics — and reading to young children has been shown to spur interest in reading.
This is especially important in West Virginia, where many children are behind the curve in developing reading skills. According to a National Assessment of Educational Progress survey, 8th grade reading test scores in West Virginia fall behind those in 45 other states. The most recent Kids County survey, a regular assessment of child wellbeing in West Virginia, shows that 73 percent of West Virginia's 4th graders are not proficient in reading.
"So many of our kids, by the time they graduate from high they still can't read well and they have a very diff time getting through college if they're even able to get to college," White said. "We're just trying to create an interest and desire to read."
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Contact writer Shay Maunz at shay.ma...@dailymail.com or 304-348-4886.