Take 5 And Read To Kids! Campaign Kicks Off May 5th

Celebrity readers will be reading to young children throughout Ventura County. End Quote

Ventura, CA (1888PressRelease) May 11, 2023 - On May 5 at 10 a.m., celebrity readers will be reading to young children throughout Ventura County to kick off the seventh annual Take 5 and Read to Kids! campaign, an ongoing effort by First 5 Ventura County to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood literacy.

This year’s impressive lineup of readers includes Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Assemblymember Steve Bennett, Supervisor Matt LaVere, Supervisor Jeff Gorell, Supervisor Kelly Long, Supervisor Janice Parvin, Supervisor Vianey Lopez, County Executive Officer Sevet Johnson, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner, Sheriff James ‘Jim’ Fryhoff, various City Council Members, and many more.

Take 5 and Read to Kids! encourages parents and caregivers to talk, read, and sing with young children ages 0-5 to support their early language and literacy development. “We know that the first five years of life lay the foundation for success in school and life. For young children, early exposure to books is beneficial for long-term academic achievements said Health Care Agency Director Barry Zimmerman. Studies have proven that when you talk, read and sing to children starting at birth, you promote and support early language and literacy development.

First 5 Ventura County encourages parents and community members to become champions of early literacy by taking at least five minutes each day to read with a young child. “Talking throughout the day with your young child, reading together, telling stories, and singing all help develop pathways in the brain that will later be used to recognize letters, read, and think critically.”, Supervisor Matt LaVere added.

This year’s Take 5 event will be hosted at various preschool classrooms, family child care centers, and select First 5 Ventura County’s Neighborhoods for Learning sites. Events will also include celebrity readings at local libraries during their regularly scheduled story times throughout the month of May. Check with your local library for a full list of upcoming events.

Event Details
Who: Parents and caregivers with young children ages 0-5

What: Take 5 and Read to Kids! Celebrity Reader Story Time

When: May 5, 2023

Where: Over 55 preschools and Neighborhoods for Learning throughout the county.

Media Opportunities: Media and Photo ops are available. To schedule times and locations with celebrity readers, please contact First 5 Ventura County at 805-648-9990 or assistant ( @ ) first5ventura dot org

For Program information: Tyla Adams, First 5 Ventura County Program Manager at 805-218-9308 or email tadams ( @ ) first5ventura dot org

Library Dates:
• E.P. Foster Library on May 5th at 10 am
• Hill Road Library on May 5th at 10 am
• South Oxnard Branch Library on May 8th at 4 pm
• Oxnard Public Library on May 9th at 11 am
• Grant R. Brimhall Library on May 11th at 10:15 am
• Camarillo Public Library on May 9th at 10:30 am
• Camarillo Public Library on May 11th at 10:30 am
• Moorpark City Library on May 10th at 10:30 am
• Moorpark City Library on May 11th at 10:30 am (Spanish Only)

About First 5 Ventura County
Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years, and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a significant impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco to support programs for children prenatal to 5.

First 5 Ventura County strengthens families, communities and systems of care for children prenatal to 5 years through investments, expertise, and leadership so all children reach their full potential, two key investments remain at the forefront of our work to achieve F5VCs goals: the nationally recognized Neighborhoods for Learning and Help Me Grow.

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