Literacy Initiatives

Here at ELCFV, we are always looking for ways to promote emergent literacy skills in Flagler and Volusia Counties.

Sharing books with children as early as possible is imperative to their future success. Reading with your child is one of the best ways to stimulate brain development and build motivation for reading along with a sense of curiosity and memory. Studies have shown children with access to high-quality books and early education programs enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed.

There are several ways we assist providers in fostering emergent literacy skills.

World Read Aloud Day (WRAD)

Wednesday, February 5: Celebrating 15 years!

Illustration of various animals gathered around a large book celebrating World Read Aloud Day on February 5, 2025. The animals are depicted in a festive setting with confetti and balloons. The event is presented by LitWorld.

LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day® (WRAD) in 2010 to celebrate the power of reading aloud in creating community and amplifying new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. 

Why do we celebrate?

  1. Reading aloud at home and at school is one of the best ways to help children develop literacy skills.

  2. Reading aloud helps us share stories.

  3. Reading aloud helps us build community.

Find out more on how to celebrate in the
World Read Aloud Day Activity Hub!

Read Across America Day

Monday, March 3

Join us as we celebrate the magic of books with the beloved Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham!

"Read Across America" text in stylized font on a white background.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day in celebration of Mr. Rogers

Illustration of colorful houses with the quote "It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood" attributed to Mr. Rogers, and the website hopefulneighborhood.org at the bottom.
Two women smiling and standing in front of a decorative poster with a blue smiling face and colorful handprints. The poster includes words like "Respect" and peace symbols. One woman is wearing a black T-shirt and camo pants, the other is in a green T-shirt and black shorts.

Thursday, March 20

Spread kindness right where you live!

Honoring his legacy of helping children and their families to treat everyone with respect and find beauty all around, we will create some beautiful art and messages of kindness and inspiration again this year with another decorating contest!

Colorful poster with the text "Differences make the world beautiful!" featuring flowers, raised hands of different skin tones, a rainbow, and messages "Be Kind" and "Be the color in the world."
A hopscotch game drawn on pavement with chalk featuring positive words in each square, including "Loving," "Creative," "Smart," "Brave," "Funny," "Energetic," and "Kind." The words "I" and "Am" are positioned at the bottom.
Children drawing colorful chalk outlines and positive messages on a pavement at a playground.

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!

Illustration promoting 2025 Celebrate Literacy Week with a construction theme, featuring bricks, tools, and bold text "Building Literacy: Constructing the Foundation for Success."
Teacher reading to children sitting on a colorful rug in a classroom decorated with educational posters and crafts.
Group of children in a classroom holding drawings titled "What I Built."

Another successful event!

Each year, the Just Read, Florida! Office and the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), in partnership with other FDOE offices, the Office of Early Learning (OEL), school districts, early learning coalitions and numerous other state agencies, announce the annual statewide Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida (January 27-31, 2025) is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida’s children and families to make reading part of their daily routines. Providers across the state will read the same book at the same time to spread the love of literacy and stimulate language and cognitive skills.

This year’s theme is Building Literacy: Constructing the Foundation for Success. Our shared reading event was Wednesday, January 29th at 10AM.

A teacher is sitting on a chair in a classroom, reading a book to a group of children seated on a carpet. The classroom contains educational materials, including a "Circle Time Center" board and worksheets featuring Groundhog Day activities on the table. The setting is well-lit and organized with shelves and various supplies.
Children engaging in a creative play activity with play dough at a table. There are colorful trays with play dough tools and a drawing of a dump truck on paper.
Children and caregivers in a daycare playroom, sitting on colorful mats, engaged in storytime with a picture book.

Read for the Record

Celebrate Read for the Record by viewing the Piper Chen Sings e-book and downloading resources from Jumpstart. Resources include FREE Activity Guides, Coloring Sheet, Participation Certificate, Stickers, Bookmark, and Poster!

Illustration of a child in a blue polka dot dress running with joyful expressions, accompanied by text "One Book. One Mission. Every Child." and logos "Jumpstart" and "Read for the Record."

Jumpstart’s 19th Annual Read for the Record Day was October 24, 2024.

We had 17 child care providers participate this year - - that’s 48 Pre-K classrooms, 107 adults, and 629 children!

A campaign to foster language and social-emotional development. Each year, Jumpstart selects a book that will be read across the country and around the world by adults and children on “Read for the Record Day.” Books are available in both English and Spanish and come with activity guides and resources to help your center or child care expand on the story.

When it’s time for Read for the Record, we send out an email to the child care centers we contract with so they can sign up to participate. From there, we take care of ordering the book and even coordinate providing a volunteer to read to your classroom if you so choose.

Thank you to our volunteer readers who visited centers to share this year’s story, Piper Chen Sings by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran!

Watch this exclusive read-along with the co-authors of Piper Chen Sings, Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran.

Interested in Volunteering?