Read Early Read Often (RERO) is a campaign many are familiar with. This community-wide initiative is focused on promoting literacy by encouraging parents and caregivers to read to infants and toddlers from birth. “Reading aloud to children, even before a child can speak, helps build their brain, develop language skills and prepare them for success in school and life,” Teresa Mead, RERO coordinator shared.
The RERO program loves sharing the gift of reading at local community events, through their Little Libraries program or at Literacy Corners. If you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check one of them out!
Little Libraries are specially designed book boxes mounted on posts and installed in a variety of places throughout Oceana County. Locations include: Cherry Point (9600 W. Buchanan Rd., Shelby), Crystal Valley (1547 E. Hammett Rd., Crystal Valley), Ferry (2175 E. Ferry St., Ferry), Downtown Hart (49 S. State St.), Hart Schools (125 Johnson St., Hart), Hesperia (1972 S. 186th Ave., Hesperia), Mears (5645 W. Fox Rd. and 8711 W. Silver Lake Rd., Mears), New Era Christian School (1901 Oak Ave., New Era), Pentwater (600 E. Park St., Pentwater), Shelby Community Park (4101 Buchanan Rd., Shelby), Shelby Early Childhood Center (155 E. Sixth St., Shelby), Getty Park (62 E. Sixth St., Shelby), Stony Lake (4724 Scenic Dr., Shelby), and Walkerville (170 North St., Walkerville).
Literacy Corners are spaces sponsored by businesses and organizations to promote early literacy. Parents and caregivers can find Literacy Corners at all Shelby State Bank locations, Dr. Phares Family Dentistry (downtown New Era), and Rothbury Village Hall (7804 S. Michigan Ave., Rothbury). “Early literacy can help children develop skills that are important for future academic success and lifelong learning,” said Mead.
Read Early, Read Often is a partnership between the Oceana Community Foundation and the Mason, Lake, Oceana Great Start Collaborative. For further information. please contact Mead at teresa@oceanafoundation.org.
