Westfield and Jumpstart’s Read for the Record

Jumpstart at Garden State Plaza How would you like your youngster to be reading prepared for school? That is the purpose of the Pearson Education’s program in sponsoring an early literacy event hosted by Westfield Garden State Plaza. At 11 AM mothers and their offspring gathered at the Playtown area of the shopping center where Pearson staff and members of Jumpstart not only acted out The Little Engine That Could for their attentive little readers, but also did a one on one to help them to see and read the story.
It was a pleasure to see the attentiveness of these pre-schoolers as the orange t-shirt adults depicted the actions described in the book. Of course some of the tots were more interested in crawling around the carpeted floor or climbing over some of the plastic figures on the floor or playing with the inflated beach balls or turning the ‘totem’ pole to get different images. At the end of the ‘class’, pictures and diplomas were handed out.

Pearson Education, according to Yolanda de Rooy, President of Humanities and Social Sciences, a division of Pearson Prentice Hall, is interested in furthering the reading ability of our youth from kindergarten through college.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Campaign serves to raise awareness about the early education crisis, provide effective tools to address this crisis, and increase support for Jumpstart’s important work. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign sponsors also include Starbucks Coffee Company (which sold and marketed the book in its stores nationwide for the entire month of August); and American Eagle Outfitters (which designed and produced the official campaign t-shirt). Due to Pearson’s generous donation in publishing the books, 100% of the revenue proceeds go to support Jumpstart’s work in low-income communities.

Jumpstart has been campaigning for literacy awareness. They try to give initiative through extraordinary attention in yearlong one-to-one relationships.. They inspire children to learn, adults to teach, families to get involved and invite communities to progress together. One of their avid supporters is Laura Bush, Honorary Chairperson.

Jumpstart and Pearson recommend the following ways to get involved and promote early education:
*Volunteer your time to work with children and teachers at a school,. Community Center, Head Start or child care program.
*Support the creation of high quality preschool experiences in your local community and across the country.
*Give credit to the early childhood educators and others who play a vital role in preparing young children to succeed in school and beyond
*Consider donating a book to one of the many at-risk children who have no books in their homes. You can do this at www.readfortherecord.org

You can also check out Westfield Garden State Plaza at www.westfield.com