I am writing this article to inform all
Kiwanis members of a new, exciting and innovative project, Brain
Charging Stations, which creates Reading Corners in Laundromats to boost
Early Literacy,
Numeracy, and Parent Engagement with Young
Children. ..A Perfect Fit with Kiwanis’ “Young Children Priority One”.
PLEASE NOTE: this is updated information Isince the
publication of the Yankiwanian.
One of the most powerful ways to promote
early literacy and parent engagement with their young children is providing
materials that encourage both in venues where parents spend time with their
children. This idea is most effective in venues where parents need to go for
regular chores, that are easily accessible and not intimidating, where there
isn’t much stimulation available and where parents have significant “down time”
that could be used for reading with young children. A prime candidate for
these venues are laundromats, and Kiwanis International and ReadyNation are
partnering with the Coin Laundry Association (CLA) to set up reading corners,
or “Brain Charging Stations” in neighborhoods that serve local families.
Each station would consist of an attractive
book holder; a rug that promotes letters, numbers and geometric shapes; and
books. The wall around the station would be decorated with posters
specifically for laundromats, as well materials from another organization, Read
Aloud 15 MINUTES, that convey the importance of early reading. From that
basic foundation, sponsors could do more too if they desire, such as conducting
Storytime sessions.
From ReadyNation:
Brain Charging Station: Promoting Early
Literacy and Winning Customers
Learning to read and count at an early age
has a big impact on children’s achievement.
Reading aloud to children, starting from
birth, helps them grow to be successful adults.
Laundromats can help their customers, their
communities and their bottom line by providing spaces that encourage reading to
young children - at no cost!
Please allow us to create an attractive
space for children’s books in your local laundromat - for FREE.
Benefits for the Laundromat Host
★ Attract customers and
distinguish your laundromat
★ Provide productive
distraction for customer’s children
★ Contribute to
improving children’s literacy
★ Enhance reputation as
a good corporate citizen
The Laundromat Host will
★
Agree to host the Brain Charging
Station for one year.
(renewable at that time)
★ Provide space - book
holder is 2’x1’,
and rug is 3’x4.5’
★ Volunteer provides
the book holder, rug and posters bought through ReadyNation,
Cost: $200-$300 for the Kit
★ Keep space tidy,
encourage books to remain at laundromat
★ Allow volunteer to
take photos for publicity purposes
The Volunteer (Kiwanis Club) will
★ Set up reading
station with book holder, books, rug, posters
★ Visit at least
monthly, for one year, to tidy up and refresh books. Volunteer
will secure new or lightly-used books. Books
should not have religious, political or controversial themes.
★ Take photos of setup,
including children (with parents’
signed permission form) and give to ReadyNation and Kiwanis International for
publicity
★ In partnership with
laundromat owner, volunteer may host read-aloud time or other activities.
Inexpensive new books can be ordered at www.firstbook.org.or
Scholastic books. Sponsors can get used books through donations from
employees or civic groups, as well as purchased at thrift stores, libraries,
etc. Kiwanis International and ReadyNation will publicize the efforts
with their website, e-newsletter and social media.
HOW TO GET STARTED. (Update since
Yankiwanian article)
Kiwanis
would send Sara Watson (at swatson@readynation.org) the Zip codes in which they wish
to work. ReadyNation will ask Coin Laundry Association CLA) if they have
members in that Zip code. If so, CLA will send the contact information to
Sara, who will send to the Kiwanis member. Sara will provide text for an
email that has been reviewed by CLA as attractive to laundromat owners.
The Kiwanis member would reach out to the laundromat owner. If the
Kiwanis member doesn't get a response, Sara will ask CLA to nudge the
laundromat owner personally and encourage them to participate. If
the CLA does not have a member in that Zip code, Kiwanis would need to approach
the laundromat themselves, but at least they would have a flyer from
ReadyNation that explains the project and has the CLA logo.
ReadyNation
asks Kiwanis members to use the basic (and inexpensive) supplies that they have
identified (flyers, book holder, rug, books, posters.)
The club then becomes the volunteer with a
committee created to start the project and follow through. One or more members
of the club now contacts the owner and reassures that person that this is a
program to benefit young children in the area and that it will not have any
cost to the laundromat/owner. ReadyNation
basically provides a kit ($200-$300) to include an inexpensive book holder, initial
book set, rug and the posters which have been developed specifically for this
program. The Kiwanis logo can be added to any materials.
or you may contact
